Return Of The Prodigal Daughter [Wayback Texas Series]

by Marguerite Arotin

  "Damn straight you shouldn't have,” Sherrie brusquely replied. “Of course, maybe I should have come after you. After all, you weren't very fast on those crutches."

  Barney chuckled and extended his hand to Jake. “That'll be ten dollars."

  Jake nodded, pulled out his wallet from his back pocket, and then handed over the cover charge.

  Barney tipped his cowboy hat. “Much obliged, Jake. Now get on in and have fun."

  * * * *

  Sherrie had only been to the Blue Bug once. Jake had slipped Barney extra money to sneak her in on the night before they made their getaway to California. He had asked the band to play “Crazy,” by Patsy Cline because he knew that was her favorite song. He had held her so close and tight. She inhaled, and the scent of beer and whiskey filled her lungs, making her feel like she had never left the dance floor.

  Locals and tourists crowded the dance floor and long bar while the band played a Gretchen Wilson song. Why did she feel like everyone's eyes were upon her as she walked inside, arm and arm with Jake? She shuddered when she saw Cassie Blair approach. Cassie, a tall brunette with cat-like golden eyes, was the editor for the local paper.

  "Sherrie, is it really you? Sweetheart, you look amazing,” Cassie gushed. “I had no idea you were in town. Wayback's famous prodigal daughter has returned. Oh gosh, I can't wait to write that headline tomorrow. Care to drop by the office for an interview?"

  Jake replied before Sherrie could get a single word out, “Leave the lady alone now, Cassie. She's just here to dance tonight."

  They brushed past Cassie and were almost to the bar when they both heard a shrill whistle. Sherrie smiled when she saw Jennifer waving them over. Her boyfriend, Craig, sat next to her with a beer in his hand. Sherrie took a seat next to Jen at the bar. She couldn't believe how much Craig had changed. The once-handsome quarterback had turned into a sorry-looking drunk.

  Craig raised his beer. “A toast to the prettiest Victoria's Secret Model sitting at the bar."

  Jake squeezed Sherrie's shoulders and leaned over to whisper, “You didn't tell me you did Victoria's Secret too. I suppose you like strutting around in your underwear for everyone to see. Jesus, Sherrie. First Maxim and now this?"

  Before Sherrie could reply to Jake, Jen blurt out, “Really Craig. She's here with Jake now. Do you think Jake wants to be reminded of all her modeling jobs?"

  Jake grabbed Sherrie's hand. ‘We'll catch up with you two later."

  "Drop it already will you?” Sherrie whispered. “So I did some underwear ads. I'm surprised you didn't watch the televised show. Max called me afterwards and told me to put more clothes on."

  Jake chuckled and squeezed her hand a little tighter. “Glad someone was looking out for you.” He walked over to a table, and pulled out a seat for her. “Ladies first,” he said with a smile.

  "You always were a gentleman, Jake Serrano,” Sherrie said as she took her seat.

  "Only around you darling,” Jake replied with a wink.

  "Ain't that the truth,” a familiar perky feminine voice replied.

  Sherrie turned and leapt from her seat. She knew that sweet blonde haired woman standing behind her. In fact, she'd called Patti Pie Murphy on several occasions to order custom boots. Even the Italian designers had nothing on Patti's creativity.

  Sherrie rose from her chair to hug Patti. “So if you're here, where are Gina and Lyssa?” The three girls had always been inseparable, but had been wonderful to Sherrie, a few years younger. Patti, in particular, had been Sherrie's mentor on the cheerleading squad.

  Patti pointed to the dance floor, where Gina slow danced with a tall, gorgeous cowboy with chestnut hair on the floor. Gina's black silk hair glistened beneath the neon lights and she looked happy and totally, madly in love with the man in her arms. “There's Gina."

  "That's her husband, Nash Logan,” Jake added. They got married last fall."

  "Her mama's watching the baby tonight,” Patti added. “It's the first time Gina and Nash have been here in almost a year. She would have invited you to the wedding, but on the day you left you said—"

  "No I didn't just say it. I shouted it.” Sherrie closed her eyes and pictured herself seven years ago—a brash young woman who had begged Jake to climb the water tower with her. She opened her eyes and grabbed Jake's hand. “I asked you to stop at the water tower before we left town. We climbed to the top together and I shouted, loud enough so that the whole town could hear my big mouth. ‘Hollywood here I come and I'm never coming back'.” She glanced at her glove. “Funny how things work out, isn't it?"

  Jake nodded and stroked her cheek. “Yeah, it sure is."

  Patti's soft blue gaze moved from Jake and then to Sherrie. “So are you back home to visit, or to stay—” she began.

  Bobby Lee Harvey came rushing over to the table before Patti could continue. He rubbed his beer belly as he leaned against a chair and tried to catch his breath. “Jake ... Soledad ... Back pool table..."

  Jake bolted from his chair. “Shit! How the hell did that girl sneak past Barney? I need to go get her. Honey, do you want to stay here or ... I mean I'm sure you don't want to get involved in my family's problems."

  Sherrie shook her head. “No, I'm coming with you. I like Soledad. I don't want her to get hurt."

  Jake nodded, took her hand, and pulled her through the crowd two-stepping to a Shania Twain song on the dance floor. When they reached the pool tables in the back, she saw Soledad holding a pool cue like a lance. A dark haired man in a plaid shirt had his fist curled and aimed at Soledad's face.

  Jake stepped between his sister and the stranger before the man could strike. He grabbed the man's shirt. “Didn't anyone ever teach you not to hit a lady?"

  The man sneered as he looked Soledad up and down. “That's a lady? No way."

  Soledad put her hand on Jake's shoulder. “Let him go. I thought he looked like an easy target since I hadn't seen him here before.” She then turned and glared at Bobby Lee. “Until he had to go open his big mouth."

  Bobby Lee shrugged. “All I said was I've seen you make that three go down shot before and you're great at it."

  Jake released the man. “Why are you conning tourists anyway? It's not like you don't have any spending money. Grannie and Pa would be happy—"

  "I didn't do it for the money.” Soledad defiantly tilted her chin. “Just did it because I was bored and this all I know."

  "Oh really?” Sherrie cocked her brow. “I saw you out there with that horse earlier today. I think you know more than hustling pool."

  "I ... I...” Soledad lowered her gaze and moved her red baseball cap down so it covered her face.

  Sherrie wrapped her arm around Soledad's shoulder. “Tell you what. If you agree to go home tonight and stay there, I'll take you out for a girl's day out tomorrow. I'll even teach you everything you'll need to know to win the Rodeo Queen competition."

  The man who Soledad tried to con chuckled. “Like that little bitch will even come close to winning."

  Jake curled his fist and gritted his teeth.

  Sherrie grabbed his hand because she didn't want any trouble. “He's not worth it,” she whispered. “Why don't you call your father to pick up Soledad and meet me out on the dance floor? I haven't had the pleasure of dancing with you yet tonight."

  Shooting one last warning glance to the other guy, Jake nodded, and reached for his cell phone in his jeans pocket.

  "I can wait with Soledad outside,” Bobby Lee offered. “Maybe she can give me some tips on my pool game."

  Soledad shrugged. “I guess that would be okay.” Then she followed Bobby out the back door.

  Sherrie returned to the dance floor just as the band began to play a familiar, bittersweet Patsy Cline song, Jake suddenly appeared at her side, offering her his hand. “Pa's on his way to pick up Soledad. So how about that dance?"

  She turned to look for Gina and spied her on the dance floor, giving a small wave as she danced with her husband. Sherrie couldn
't resist the heartbreaking melody, when Jake took her into his arms. “Were you the one who asked the band to play Patsy for me?"

  His breath caressed her ear, a hot whisper that made her melt in his arms. “Bobby Lee reminded me of the night when we left. Remember how close I held you as we danced to Crazy? I never wanted to let you go."

  His spicy, evergreen scent heated her blood as her breasts pressed against his hard chest. One hand wandered to her behind, and gave it a tight squeeze. For a moment, she forgot everything, but Jake, until she saw Soledad rushing out to the foyer.

  "Your sister, is she okay?"

  "She'll be fine. Thanks for your help with her. She's a handful to be certain. I had to take that job at the Cue Ball and even move in above it just to keep an eye on her."

  "You're welcome. I like your sister and I want to help her.” She bit her lip and met his heated gaze. “What about us? Am I only someone who can help your sister or am I more to you?"

  He stroked her cheek. “You are so much more to me. I never stopped thinking about you, but my pride stopped me from calling you."

  She kissed him, hard and passionately, not caring that everyone on the dance floor could see them. Sherrie wanted to stake her claim on Jake now and forever, let all of Wayback know that he still belonged to her. When the music ended, they were both breathless.

  She stood there for a moment, staring into his silver bullet gaze, watching the neon lights dance on his dark hair. “Take me home with you tonight Jake,” Sherrie finally blurted out. “I've always been yours."

  He pulled her close, removed her father's tattered Stetson hat, and ran his fingers through her long hair. “Just like I've always been yours. I won't let you go this time Sherrie. I promise I won't."

  Sherrie didn't reply as he linked arms with her and escorted her off the dance floor. She couldn't reply. In the back of her mind, she knew her agent might call her someday with a job offer, but she couldn't tell that to Jake. Not tonight.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Eight

  "Thank you for dancing with me Sherrie,” Jake said as their footsteps crunched on the gravel parking lot outside the Blue Bug. He put his arm around her waist, surprised at how comfortable it felt resting on her luscious curves. “This is just like old times, me, you, here in the town where we belong. Honey, have you ever thought about how things might have been if we hadn't left? If we'd just settled down in Wayback and raised a family here?"

  Sherrie shook her head. “No. I needed to leave town. If you hadn't asked me, I probably would have gone on my own. I love my brother and sister, but they were always so overprotective, always sheltering me. I wanted to see the rest of the world. God, Jake, we had such big dreams. You were going to be a famous stuntman. I was going to be the next Katie Couric.” She stopped walking and stroked his arm. “Remember?"

  He ran his fingers through her corn silk hair, loving the way it shimmered in the moonlight. She didn't look much different from that starry-eyed girl he'd run away with. Except those big dreams had faded from her sky blue eyes. The years had given them a sad maturity; they didn't shine as bright. “I remember. What happened to those dreams, darling?"

  She shrugged and frowned. “Reckon mine just changed, went up in smoke. What about your dreams Jake? I was worried sick about you with each movie you filmed, but I thought you loved your work."

  "After the second year, I hated it. There were a few actors and directors I really enjoyed working with, but the rest ... You know how it is out there. They'll kiss your ass to get you to do what they want and then they'll kick it after you do. I didn't want to say anything to you about it. You seemed so happy. I couldn't crush your dreams by asking you to come home."

  Sherrie didn't reply and they continued walking. When they got to his truck, she leaned against it and cocked her head. “You should have said something, Jake. My job wasn't that important, neither were my dreams. I would have changed either of them in a heartbeat if I'd known you weren't happy.” She smiled and stroked his cheek. “Dreams, plans, and schemes aren't set in stone. Sometimes you have to make them up as you go.” She kissed his cheek and leaned in to whisper in his ear. “Now take me back to your place, because I have plenty of plans and schemes for you tonight."

  Jake pulled her close and tight, the scent of her perfume and the press of her soft breasts against him made his blood burn, and rush straight to his erection. He kissed her, savoring the taste of whiskey on her lips. Hopefully, the kiss told her all about his schemes, because he couldn't think of the right words to describe them all. He gave her firm, rounded bottom a tight squeeze and only broke the kiss when he heard shrill whistling echoing across the parking lot.

  They both turned to see Patti-Pie and Lyssa whooping and whistling. Lyssa gave them both a thumb's up sign, as her dark short hair glistened beneath the neon sign.

  Sherrie's cheeks turned bright crimson as she rested her head against his shoulder, and waved. “Take me to your place, so we can make out in private."

  "I can do that.” He opened the passenger door and helped her in, wondering how fast the news about them would travel. It would probably be on the front page of the Wayback Journal come morning. They'd both be the talk of the town.

  As he drove back to his apartment, Sherrie kept her hand on his crotch, and he gripped the steering wheel a little tighter when she unbuttoned and unzipped his jeans. He tried to maintain control. He had to get his little wild one home. But memories and anticipation made his hand tremble and he wondered how he'd be able to concentrate on the blacktop stretching into the horizon.

  "Remember the time we got so hot driving through the desert?” she whispered in a sultry tone, reaching into his boxer briefs. “I did this to you, and you pulled off the road, next to a Joshua Tree and made love to me until I cried out your name, until I rested my head on your sweaty, rock hard chest."

  Damn, she still had a fast hand. She had him out of his shorts and was rubbing the shaft by the time they reached Main Street. He nearly ran through a red light when her feather light touch caressed his balls. “Slow down there, darling,” he managed to gasp. “There's no place to stop like that on Main Street and I'd rather take you in my soft, cozy bed.” He reached into her shirt and gave her a squeeze before the light turned green. “Or maybe on my couch, if I can't wait that long."

  "Hmm, sounds fine by me,” she moaned as he rolled her nipple with his forefinger and thumb, bringing it to a stiff point.

  "If you're gonna spend the night with me, you should know about my morning plans. I need to be up bright and early. I have a date with twenty kids before I head to the rodeo. Gotta get my makeup on and change so I look like the mighty cowboy clown, Colt."

  Sherrie's warm laughter filled the truck. Jake smiled. He couldn't remember the last time he'd heard Sherrie laugh. Maybe two years ago, that morning before the building jump where he fell wrong and broke his leg. Just an average morning where he tickled the woman he loved to wake her up, but her giggles had made that day extraordinary. He really missed that.

  "There's something just so sweet, sexy, and totally adorable about a man who's willing to sacrifice his morning to entertain a bunch of kids.” She kissed his cheek. “And of course, you had to pick the name of your childhood hero for your clown name."

  "Yep, I s-sure...” His words trailed off when she lowered her head to his lap and kissed his shaft. How could he even concentrate on driving when she had her mouth there? When she tormented him with her warm breath and juicy tongue? “Sherrie ... stop ... we're almost ... my place.” Through the lusty haze, he spied the lit-up black and white eight ball shining like a familiar beacon.

  Sherrie sat up and winked. “I'll pick up where I left off when we get inside."

  He pulled into his usual parking spot, behind the pool hall and laundromat. He opened the passenger door for Sherrie, and she gasped when he lifted her from her seat. “I'm gonna carry you up my stairs now, set you down on my couch, and make love to my beau
tiful woman until we both pass out.” He kissed her forehead. “Any objections?"

  "Not one."

  It wasn't easy opening the back entrance with Sherrie in his arms, but he managed.He placed a line of little kisses down her long neck and along her collarbone as he carried her up the stairs, savoring the vanilla taste and the soft texture of her skin.

  "Jake ... sweetie ... door."

  He stopped kissing her and laughed. “Oh yeah, suppose I'd better open it."

  Jake found unlocked the door and tossed his keys on top of the entertainment center. He set Sherrie on his oversized blue couch. The black cat clock on the wall meowed to inform them it was nine on the dot.

  Sherrie grinned, glancing at the clock, with its tail and eyes that moved back and forth with the second hand. “I figured you'd grabbed that clock when you left."

  Jake plopped down on the couch next to her, and turned on a lamp, so he could get a better look at her flawless porcelain skin, and those luscious lips curved into a smug grin. “I took it because I wanted something to remind me of you. I remember how excited you were when you saw that goofy clock when we went out shopping for our first apartment.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and kissed the pulse point of her neck, wondering why her skin felt softer than a flannel blanket, and tasted sweeter than Grannie Serrano's fried ice cream. “I never forgot you, Sherrie.” He caressed her breast and licked her collarbone. “Never stopped loving you. How could when you were my first true love?"

  "Jake ... Do you know how long I've waited for you to say that to me? You never once said you loved me when we lived together.” Her fingers trembled as she unbuttoned her shirt, exposing a lace trimmed, pink satin bra.

  In a flash, he removed his shirt and tossed it aside. He cupped both breasts, traced his thumb across the satin and lace, finding her nipples in the center. Unable to resist, he gave both perky morsels a squeeze. Sherrie moaned and tossed her head back.

  "Woman, you are so beautiful. I'm sorry I never said I love you before, but I intend to make up for that now."