by Sable Hunter
“Hey!”
“Hi!” The girl waved through the open window. “Hey, John!” She held out her hand to Delaney. “Hi, I’m Seren.”
“I’m Delaney.” She accepted Seren’s greeting. “Nothing would do Mr. Callan except we come speak to you. I’m not sure how he knew you were here.” She waved her hands in the air and smiled. “All of a sudden, he started saying how he needed to come out and see the angel.”
Seren shifted in her seat, looking decidedly uncomfortable. “Oh, my…”
Before she could say more, John Callan patted the side of Canyon’s truck. “This little lady is an angel. Her name is Gail Russell and she played opposite me in Angel and The Badman.” He made eye contact with Seren. “Do you remember that picture, honey?”
“Well…” Seren was a bit relieved, but still didn’t know what to say.
“My role was a gunslinger, Quirt Evans. You played Penelope, a Quaker girl. Our future looked rosy until my past caught up with me.”
Seren nodded with a smile. “I do remember the movie. Quirt had to choose between going back to his old ways or building a future with Penelope.”
John winked at her. “I chose you, didn’t I, doll?” He pulled an imaginary gun from an imaginary holster on his belt. “Only a man who carries a gun ever needs one.”
“That was a good movie.” She smiled at Delaney. “I presume you’re catching up on all of the John Wayne trivia. Are you related to Jonah?”
“No.” Delaney shook her head. “He helped me out of a jam last night and I’m returning the favor by keeping company with this big, handsome cowboy for a while.” She patted John on the shoulder. “We’ve been having a blast.”
“How nice.” She reached out the window to tug at the sleeve of John’s shirt. “We met over at Tebow Ranch the other day. He’s a joy to be around.”
“He is.”
The two women made small talk until the two other men joined them.
“Delaney, I see you’ve met Seren.” Jonah wiped his hands on a bandana he pulled from his back pocket.
“Yes, I did. Your father insisted we come down to speak to her.”
Canyon held out his hand to Delaney. “I’m Canyon Brady.”
“Delaney Ellis.” She shook his hand, then gave Jonah a quick glance. “We’ll be getting back inside. Nice to meet you both.”
When she was out of earshot, Canyon laughed. “Seems like your dad likes her.”
Jonah liked her too. He couldn’t keep his mind off that near-miss kiss. “Yea, they hit it off the first rattle out of the box. He told her she looked like the movie star Ann Margaret, Wayne’s co-star in The Train Robbers.”
“Well, you have to admire his technique with the ladies,” Canyon murmured. “You can’t beat his pickup lines.”
This tickled Jonah. “I guess you’re right. Morning, Miss Seren. How are you today?” he asked as Canyon was about to open the driver’s side door of his truck. “I didn’t mean to ignore you. Bringing Delaney home last night has made things a bit more interesting around here than usual.”
“I’m good. Delaney seems nice. I hope we can get together soon.”
“Well, Jonah, we’ll be going,” Canyon said, climbing into the cab. “I’ll let Jacob know you’re on board.”
“Hey, does this competition come with prize money?” Jonah asked out of the blue.
“I don’t know.” Canyon shrugged. “Maybe. I’ll ask Jacob.”
“Just curious. I’m in either way.” Jonah raised a hand in farewell as Canyon backed out of his drive. “Stay safe!”
Glancing between the house and the shop, he made a quick decision. Jonah didn’t often end his day before five o’clock, but he was at a stopping point. If he hurried, he could sneak in a shower before joining his father and Delaney in the kitchen. He always loved to be in the thick of things where food was concerned. A smile came to his lips as he remembered the times his mother would bake cookies and he and his father would be ready to lick the beaters.
Once his tools were put away and the shop was locked up for the night, he made his way across the yard to the house. Hearing the squeaking of the bay door being shut, Rufus came running to greet him. “Hey, boy. I figured you’d be in the house waiting for Delaney to drop something on the floor.” Rufus gave him an agreeable bark, then fell into step with him as his footsteps crunched up the gravel driveway.
When he came to the front door, he stopped to take off his boots. “No use tracking grease into the house. If I leave these out here, are you going to confiscate them for a chew toy?” Knowing the likelihood was strong, he chose to take them inside and leave his old clodhoppers just inside the door. “I’m going upstairs to clean up. You go take a nap and wait for me.” Giving his dog a gentle pat, he lightly climbed the stairs. He’d rather Delaney didn’t see him again until he made himself a bit more presentable.
Downstairs, Delaney kept a rhythm going as she made the tamales. Spreading the masa on the cornhusks with the back of a spoon, then adding the filling. “Not too much, not too little,” she repeated what she’d heard her grandmother always say.
“Smells good, Miss Margaret,” John told her as he sat at the table, munching on the last of the brownies.
She glanced at him, ignoring the name slip. Whatever he wanted to call her was just fine. “They do smell good.” Placing the lid on top of the four dozen tamales, Delaney wiped her hands on a kitchen towel. “Okay. The pie is almost done, and the tamales are all set to steam. I have to go upstairs really quick. Will you be all right for a few seconds while I’m gone?”
“Why, sure. I’m fine as frog’s hair, little lady.”
Delaney patted him on the shoulder as she passed. Making quick steps, she hurried up the stairs to her room. She’d forgotten to take her medicine yesterday and if she didn’t take it soon, she might be sorry. Opening one of her bags, she felt for the padded organizer. With practiced ease, she filled the syringe with the drug, then proceeded to give herself an injection. When she was through, she replaced the items in the bag, tucking it beneath her clothes where she’d found it. She wasn’t hiding it from anyone, Delaney just liked to forget about her problem when she could.
Standing, she touched the tiny drop of blood on her arm where the needle punctured her skin. She really should put a band-aid on the spot, but she was out, and she’d forgotten to buy any at the store. “I wonder if Jonah has some.” If he did, they’d probably be in his medicine cabinet. Would he mind if she looked? Probably not.
Leaving her room, she walked to Jonah’s. Not bothering to knock, she opened the door and stepped in…only to find herself face to face with a very naked man.
For a few seconds, the man and the woman stared at one another. Frozen. Heartbeats escalating.
Delaney was shocked immobile. She couldn’t get her feet to move – or her eyes to shut. Jonah Callan was absolutely magnificent. Wide shoulders, muscled chest, six-pack abs. As her eyes moved down his body, her cheeks pinkened and her breathing turned into short, shallow pants.
Jonah was stunned. He couldn’t seem to think. All he could do was…feel.
“Oh, God. I’m sorry.”
As Delaney raised her hand to cover her eyes, he came to himself and stubbed his toe reaching for a towel. “Hell, I’m sorry.”
“My fault.” She raised the other hand. “I just came in to see if you have a band-aid.”
Wrapping the towel around his waist, he turned in a circle. “Yea. Yea. Hold on.”
“Never mind. I’ll just go.”
“No.” He caught her arm. “Wait.”
She stopped, but she didn’t turn around.
“It’s okay. I’m…decent.”
“I know you are.” He really was a decent guy. Built like a dream. And sexy as hell.
She allowed a small tug on her arm to coax her into turning around. He was so close. She could smell the soap he’d used and feel the heat of his body.
“D
elaney…” he whispered, his eyes searching hers. “I have to…”
She didn’t give him time to finish his sentence. Rising on tiptoe, she fit her mouth to his.
The fit was perfect.
She moved her lips against his, placing her hands on his chest to support her position. For long seconds she indulged herself with delicate touches, rubbing her mouth over his, making tiny forays with her tongue…until she realized – he wasn’t kissing her back.
Quickly ending the kiss, she gave him the slightest push as a flash of hot embarrassment cascaded over her like lava. “Sorry.” Raising one foot to flee, Delaney didn’t get very far.
“Don’t go. I was just enjoying the attention.” Jonah caught her, pulling her close against his body, covering her mouth with his own. He kissed her voraciously. Feverishly. Feasting at her mouth as if he hadn’t eaten in weeks. With a moan of hunger he ran his hands over her body, urging her closer, wrapping his arms around her tight enough to keep her right where he needed her the most.
Delaney didn’t fight him. She welcomed him, molding herself to him in delight. His kiss felt right. Being in his arms felt right. Leaning into him to keep from falling, she framed his face, gifting him with her passion.
“Hey! Miss Margaret! Where are you?”
Hearing John coming up the stairs, Delaney ended the kiss, easing her heels down. With both feet planted firmly on the ground, the realization of what she’d been doing dawned upon her. She began to tremble. “I’m sorry.”
“No, don’t be sorry. I’m not.” He let her go reluctantly. “Please…”
“It’s okay.” She gave him a shy smile. “I’d better go…your father…” Spinning around, Delaney nearly ran from the room.
Jonah stood there in a daze. He raked one hand through his hair, looking down at his tented towel. “Wow.” Moving his arm down to undo the knot, he noticed a tiny spot of blood on his palm. Delaney’s blood. “The band-aid. Damn.” She must’ve cut herself in the kitchen.
…Meeting John on the stairs, Delaney herded him back in the direction he’d come from. “Sorry. I was gone longer than I expected. We’d better check those hot tamales. Do you want to be my taste tester?”
“Sure thing. I need to get some grub before I head off on that cattle drive tonight.”
Hurrying to the stove, she turned down the heat on the tamales. “Won’t be long now.” As she did so, Delaney noticed her injection site was still beading tiny drops of blood. Grabbing a paper towel, she held it tightly to the spot.
“Here. I brought the band-aid.”
Jonah’s voice made her jump. “Fiddlesticks. I didn’t hear you.”
“I’m barefoot.” He watched as she tended to the small wound. “How did you cut yourself way up there?”
Delaney found herself a bit tongue-tied. “It wasn’t easy.” She didn’t know why she lied. It was no big deal. “Are you hungry?”
“Starved. Everything smells fantastic.” Jonah noticed she wouldn’t meet his gaze. Was she sorry about the kiss? He wasn’t. “How did things go at the police station?”
“Those sorry sidewinders weren’t much help.”
Jonah looked to his father, then to Delaney. “What does he mean?”
She shrugged as she stirred sugar into a pitcher of tea. “Oh, they took the information I gave. I’m not sure what I expected, but the cops treated it as something routine. I don’t think they’ll follow up on the report. I was left with the distinct impression they felt I was making a mountain out of a mole hill.”
Jonah shook his head. “Gee, I’m sorry. I know one or two of the guys down there. The department uses my wrecker service occasionally. Would you like me to talk to them?”
“Oh, no. I’d rather you didn’t.” She filled glasses with ice, then poured in the sweet amber liquid.
“Are you sure?” Jonah moved to the cabinet to find plates to set the table.
“Quite sure, yes.” She took the pie from the oven using two dish towels, placing it on the stove to rest until they were ready for dessert. “I made a salad too. Could you get it from the refrigerator? I believe there’s dressing as well.”
“Okay.” He cheerfully went to do her bidding. “Well, I hate you felt ignored by our local cops. I’m sure that’s a bad feeling to have.” When she didn’t respond, he moved on to another topic. “So, you met Cletus?”
“Yes, I did. He’s an unusual fellow.”
“He’s my friend,” John inserted, taking a sip of tea. “We’re going camping.”
Jonah looked to Delaney for clarification. “Cletus shared with us his plans to use a drone on a camping trip,” she told him. “I think he plans on buying a camper soon.”
“Well, good for him.” Jonah placed a hot pad on the table to hold the warm bowl of tamales that Delaney was bringing from the burner. “He deserves to enjoy his retirement. He was a brave soldier.”
“He saved my life once.” John picked up a tamale with the ends of his fingers. “Hot. Hot.”
Delaney handed him a napkin. “Careful. Do you want me to unwrap them for you?”
“No, I’m a brave cowpoke.” The old man gave her a smile and another movie quote. “I’m the stuff men are made of.”
“Yes, you are.” She ladled some chili onto his plate. “Would you like some?” she asked Jonah.
“Yes, ma’am. I sure would.” He caught her gaze and held it. “I’d love anything you give me.”
Delaney’s hand shook as she gave him a helping. “It’s just canned, to go with the tamales. I hope you like it.”
“I loved every second of it, I swear.”
She blushed at his words, knowing he wasn’t referring to the chili. “Is it the right temperature?” Dipping her finger into the chili on her plate, she tasted it. “Sometimes I rush things.”
He dipped his finger in the chili as he spooned it onto his tamales, bringing it slowly to his lips to taste. “You didn’t rush anything. Seemed more than perfect timing to me.”
“What? Are we eating with our hands now? You two use your damn silverware!”
John’s admonition made the two younger people laugh.
Delaney cleared her throat and watched the two men eat. “Taste okay?”
“Good. Real good.” John gave her an approving nod as he moved sideways in his chair, scratching his back.
“Itching?” Jonah reached over to rub his dad’s shoulders. “You look like one of those bears rubbing against a tree.”
“I can put some on calamine lotion on him after his shower,” Delaney suggested as she handed out paper towels for them to use as napkins.
“Did your Mama teach you how to make tamales?” John asked as he unwrapped another one.
“No, my grandmother did.” She looked down at her food deep in thought. “My mom was…nervous. Always nervous. My Pop said she has an anxiety disorder, but she wouldn’t take anything he prescribed for her. Not faithfully.”
“Your pop was a doctor?”
“Yes,” she answered Jonah’s question. “One of the last old-timey smalltown doctors. He made house calls and rode his bicycle around town. The medical board would’ve probably frowned on the practice, but when I wasn’t in school I would accompany him on calls, and I helped in his office. I served as his assistant, taking vitals, even giving injections. He taught me a great deal about medicine and diagnosing illnesses.”
“Why didn’t you become a doctor?”
She shrugged. “Lost opportunity. That’s not a degree you can get online.” She speared a piece of tamale. “Plus, no way am I smart enough. What I picked up from my grandfather was simple stuff. No chemistry or things like that involved.”
“You shouldn’t sell yourself short.” Jonah gave her a warm look, his eyes dancing with interest. “I bet you could do anything you set your mind to.”
“Thanks.” The way he was looking at her made Delaney want to wiggle in her seat. She knew that kiss they shared was as much on
his mind as it was on hers. Searching for something to ease the tension in the air, she turned her attention to John. “How did Cletus save your life?”
“We were stationed at Adak, Alaska, way out in the Bering Sea on the Aleutian Islands. One day we were on a supply ship when an offshore earthquake caused a tsunami. We were close enough to shore that the wave would’ve pushed us onto the rocks. So, we had to abandon ship. The weather was super cold. I almost didn’t make it. The lifeboat I was in took on water and if it hadn’t been for Cletus…I wouldn’t be here today. He pulled me to safety and got me to shore.”
“That’s an incredible story, John. I can certainly understand why you think so much of him.”
For a few moments, the trio was silent while they finished their dinner. Once she saw they’d eaten their fill, Delaney popped from her chair. “Who wants pie?”
“Me! Me!” Both men answered her question with a resounding positive response.
While she dished up the fruit filled pastry, Jonah joined her to help with the ice cream. Immediately, her temperature rose high enough to melt the ala mode. She was surprised at her reaction to this man. This wasn’t normal for her. Of course, her experience in the world of romance was lacking. As the prime caretaker for her family, there’d been little time for dating or a relationship.
“This looks decadent. Thanks for making it for us,” Jonah whispered to her like they were sharing the most special secret.
His breath on her neck almost caused her to swoon. “You’re welcome. I hope you’ll enjoy it.”
“Oh, I did. I enjoyed you very much.”
She blushed at his not-so hidden message. “Hand this to your father.” She picked up one of the bowls of dessert and held it out to him. The wink he gave her almost caused her to drop the other bowl she was holding. Making a grab for it, she quickly turned to take her seat at the table with her own serving of pie.
Jonah joined her and presented his dad with a spoon. “Here, eat up. Did you pick any of these berries or did Delaney do it all?”
“I picked some.”
Delaney laughed. “Most of the ones he picked ended up in his mouth. If he hadn’t ate a bug, I think he would’ve scarfed them all down.”