“No!”
His brows soared. Had he misstepped again? He’d always thought of her as his little sister. Not when she kissed you, an irritating voice reminded him. He shook his head. He didn’t want to go there, either.
“What do you mean, no?”
“I’m not your sister.”
“Well, no, not technically, but—”
“I’m not your sister, technically or otherwise.”
“I didn’t mean we were blood-related, but I’ve always treated you like—”
“Don’t I know it!”
“Why am I not getting to finish a sentence? What have I done that’s so bad? Why am I in the doghouse?”
“Do you know how intimidating it is to date a woman the sheriff treats as his personal property?”
“Of course I do. That’s how I knew you were safe. And I didn’t treat you like personal property... I mean, it’s not like I was dating you or anything. I just treated you like my little sister.”
They’d reached the gate and she sat, solemn-faced, in the saddle as he leaned over to open it. They both rode through and then he refastened the latch.
“Heaven forbid you should ever become a daddy,” she said with a resigned air.
“Hey! I’d make a great daddy!” he protested, becoming more and more confused by their conversation.
“You’d never let your little girl out of the house without an armored division to accompany her.”
He grinned. “I’m not that bad. I’d only require a posse.”
When the corners of her lips tilted up, he relaxed a little. He loved to see Jessica smile. Her low chuckle was a bonus.
With her response, he felt able to ask an important question. “Jess, what am I doing wrong? I’ve upset you, but I’m not sure how.”
She pulled her mount to a halt and reached over to cup his cheek in her hand. “Oh, Cal.”
He covered her hand with his and brought it to his lips for a kiss. “That doesn’t tell me much.”
She snatched her hand away and started Red moving again. She never seemed to want him to touch her anymore. After she came back from Texas Tech, he’d noticed a change in her, figured she was growing independent. He’d tried to back off. He’d moved to Dallas for a couple of years, and when he returned, there’d seemed to be a lot of space between them.
“Tell me what’s wrong,” he said as he caught up to her again.
“I can’t.”
“Why not? You used to tell me everything.”
“Cal, we’re not children anymore.”
“I know that. I don’t follow you around now.”
“No, but you’ve warned the male population within fifty miles to stay away from me.”
“That’s it? You’re not getting enough dates? I can fix you up with...let’s see, Donald Hoskins. He’s a nice guy.”
“He’s a nerd, big-time!”
“Well, there’s Arnold Beatty.”
“He’s the postman.”
“So? The mail is important.”
“He’s also divorced with two kids.”
“You’d be a good mama,” he assured her, watching her carefully.
She sighed as if the weight of the world was on her shoulders. “You don’t understand.”
“I understand that Johnny is the wrong man for you.”
“Most women like to make that decision for themselves.”
“I’m saving you the trouble,” he assured her.
She rolled her eyes again. “Thanks but no thanks.”
He shrugged his shoulders and remained silent He knew his warnings wouldn’t go away. As long as she stayed in Cactus, she’d be safe.
Except for Johnny.
Not that he was that bad a man. Johnny had gotten into some trouble as a juvenile, but he’d grown up. Now he sold used cars and was doing pretty well, from what Cal could tell. But there had been one incident of domestic violence with a girlfriend. And the man didn’t accord Cal’s warnings the respect Cal thought they deserved.
“Is it because he’s not from one of the oil families?”
He frowned and reached over to pull her horse to a halt. “That’s low, Jess, and you know it Your mother didn’t have oil money, and it never bothered either me or my parents.”
“I know. But I don’t see anything wrong with Johnny. We have something in common. We both grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, and we’ve both achieved our goals. What do you have against him?”
He’s sniffing around you. He couldn’t give that as an answer. “I’ve heard rumors about some wild parties. There’s some police business I can’t talk about. He’s been carrying on with Lydia Deloach for a couple of years. Then he dumped her.”
“Maybe she dumped him.”
“Nope. She’s been moping around town for a couple of months, telling everyone she talks to about how she loves Johnny.”
Jessica turned away and tugged on her reins. Cal released his hold but nudged Olé to keep up with the other horse.
Jessica rode to the edge of Dry Creek, which flowed through Cal’s property. It got its name because each summer it dried up to a small trickle. But now, in October, it was several feet deep with precious water.
She swung down from the saddle and Cal admired her lithe form, her elegant movement, her sexy rear. At that thought he shut his eyes and tried to erase the image.
But he couldn’t. She did have a sexy butt. In fact, every inch of her radiated sexual attraction. That’s why he had to work so hard at protecting her.
Any man who looked at her would immediately think of bedding her. Of unbraiding her black satin hair, spreading it across her bare shoulders, running his hands—Damn it! What was wrong with him today?
He swung out of the saddle, glad to move, hoping his jeans wouldn’t be quite so tight if he managed to get his mind on something other than Jessica.
She knelt and dipped her hand into the clear water, her braid slipping over her shoulder.
“You thirsty? I’ve got a canteen on my saddle,” Cal hurriedly said. As clean as the water looked, he never trusted the purity these days.
“No, I was just...a little warm. I thought I’d cool my face a little.”
Cal stayed back, his mind working frantically for a way to convince Jessica to steer clear of Johnny. That was his goal for today.
“Listen, baby, some men get...physical with a woman when she doesn’t do what he wants. I can’t tell you anything specific, but—”
She stood up and swung around to stare at him. “Johnny? Are you saying—”
“No. I can’t. But he’s not someone you should be hanging around.”
She stepped toward him, still staring at him. “So you’re not warning me because you don’t think I should have a social life. You’re warning me because Johnny specifically is a problem?”
“Yeah.” He didn’t want to examine the relief that filled him when Jessica finally understood.
“Okay. I’ll look for someone else. I thought... I mean, he understood how important it was for me to succeed. He didn’t worry that I was more successful than him. Maybe I overlooked some things, but we’ve just gone out a couple of times, casual dates.”
“What are you talking about? Why was it important for you to succeed? You mean, with the restaurants?” He hadn’t ever considered the fact that Jessica might feel inferior. It couldn’t be that. She was an incredibly beautiful woman, and she had the sweetest nature.
“Of course with the restaurants. With money. With my life. I wanted to be good enough for...for the Baxters,” she said softly, giving him a rueful smile.
He grabbed her arms, pulling her against him. “What the hell are you talking about? You were always good enough for me. And for my parents!”
“But not for others. The prejudice has lessened now, for everyone, but I was a bastard, a half-breed, from the wrong side of town. I wanted to prove there was more to me than that.”
“Baby, you are a beautiful, intelligent woman. No man would
think—”
“Some did. I suffered less than some of the girls, because everyone knew you were my protector.” A half smile flitted across her face. “So I guess I shouldn’t be complaining about your protection. Dam it, I’ve lost my steam, Cal. I came out here determined to tell you to back off and here I am thanking you!”
He smiled at her. “Good.”
She smiled in return, then turned serious. “You’ve been an important part of my life, Cal. But I don’t want to grow old with no husband, no children. That’s why I started dating Johnny. He was willing to go out with me.”
“But you said you wouldn’t keep on—”
“No, I won’t. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to join a nunnery, either.” She pulled herself from his grasp and swung back into the saddle. Then she looked at him again. “Thanks for talking things out with me. And thanks for all the protection. But I’m a big girl now. It’s time to let go.”
She waited for his response. But he didn’t have anything to say. With a nod, he mounted and turned Olé back toward the barn, assuming she would accompany him.
Holding Red in check for a minute, she put some distance between them. After all, she didn’t want him to hear her heart breaking.
JESSICA GOT TO the restaurant the next day after Mabel had settled at the table they always used. Mabel smiled at her as she sat. “I hope this wasn’t too inconvenient for you, dear.”
“No, of course not. I ran a little late because Alex and I were going over some papers,” Jessica explained.
“Alex? A man?”
“No, don’t you remember? I told you she was a woman, visiting from Dallas, helping me to decide about the sale of my restaurants.”
“Oh, yes. The name threw me.” Mabel frowned, then looked up at Jessica. “Are you going to sell the restaurants?”
Jessica sighed. “I haven’t made my final decision, but I’m leaning that way. My life has gotten too crazy lately, trying to handle all nine restaurants. I don’t have time for a personal life.”
“And that’s why we need to talk,” Mabel insisted. “It’s time you focus on marrying and having babies.”
Jessica bit into her bottom lip. “I’m afraid I don’t have any real prospects for a husband, Mabel. Your son has made sure of that.” There was Johnny, of course, but Cal had convinced her to drop the man. She hadn’t heard about Lydia or about troubles with the police.
“Not true, dear,” Mabel said firmly.
Jessica’s eyes widened. Mabel had made just such a cryptic remark yesterday. “What are you saying, Mabel?”
“Cal.”
Jessica stared at Mabel and then burst into laughter.
“Oh, please, Mabel, that’s funny, but not an option.”
“Why not? You love him, don’t you?”
Mabel sat back in satisfaction while Jessica sought an answer. It wasn’t easy. Jessica didn’t want to lie.
“I’m fond of Cal, of course, but we’re not...not that close.”
“Close?” Mabel waved a hand to dismiss her response. “Nonsense. It’s more than that. You’re the daughter I never had. I love you and I want you to be the mother of my grandbaby.”
“If I ever have children, Mabel, you know I’d want you to fulfill that role. I love you, too, but—”
“No, they have to be Cal’s children.”
“What are you talking about?”
Mabel twisted her napkin. She’d debated telling Jessica the truth. With a shrug of her shoulders, she said, “You see, we made a bet, ’cause we’re all tired of not having any grandchildren.”
“Who’s ‘we’?”
Mabel named her cohorts in crime. “It’s because those boys all have each other. We need to get just one of them married. Then the others would do the same.”
“A nice theory,” Jessica said with a rueful smile, “but I don’t think so.”
“No,” Mabel assured her. “Our plan will work. And I’m going to win. That Florence thinks she’s got a plan, but mine is better.”
“What is your plan?”
“It’s simple. You seduce Cal.”
“Mabel!” Jessica stared at her surrogate mother, horror in her eyes.
“Well, of course. I don’t know why you haven’t tried it before.” Mabel frowned, a sudden thought striking her. “Are you a virgin, dear? Is that why you’re so shocked?”
“No. I mean, I’m not—Cal isn’t nearly as modern as you.”
Mabel smiled. “Men never are, especially if we’re talking about their women.”
“I’m not Cal’s woman.”
“Of course you are, Jess, darling. And everyone in town knows that except Cal. Men are so dumb sometimes.” She waved a finger toward Jessica. “So you have to get his attention.”
“I can’t do that,” Jessica whispered.
Mabel gave her a superior smile. “I heard you already had.” When Jessica looked as if she didn’t understand, Mabel made sure she did. “You kissed him right here in this restaurant.”
“A kiss is a lot different from...from what you said.”
“I know. It will be much more effective. If you can, try to get pregnant.”
Jessica stared at the woman she thought she knew, a kind, gentle woman, sedate, conservative. And she had recommended Jessica seduce her son and trap him into marriage with a baby.
She shook her head, her eyes wide. “That would be unfair, Mabel. I can’t trap Cal. If he doesn’t want—”
“Of course he does, sweetheart. He just doesn’t know it. You’re the perfect wife for him. And I love you dearly.”
“Oh, Mabel,” Jessica murmured, tears filling her eyes. “I can’t imagine a more wonderful mother-in-law, but I can’t seduce Cal.”
“Hmm, I suspected as much.” She reached over and patted Jessica’s hand. “Don’t worry, dear. I’ll find a way. You just go along with whatever I figure out. We’ll pull it off.”
Jessica panicked. Who knew what Mabel would do. “No, Mabel, really, don’t try—”
Mabel stood, waving a hand in Jessica’s general direction, as if dismissing her concern.
“But wait, Mabel, we haven’t eaten.”
“Oh, dear girl, I don’t have time for food. I have plans to make. Oh, it’s going to be so wonderful when we’re all really family.”
With a big smile, she walked out of the restaurant, a determined look on her face.
Jessica stared after her, frantic thoughts racing through her head. What would Mabel do? And how would Cal respond?
An even better question was, what was Jessica going to do? She couldn’t follow Mabel’s suggestion.
Could she?
Chapter Four
Mabel didn’t waste any time.
After consulting her calendar and giving her plan considerable thought, she called her son.
“This is Sheriff Baxter,” Cal’s deep voice proclaimed, all business.
“Yes, dear, I know. Do you have any plans for Friday night?”
“Hi, Mom. I don’t know. Why?”
“Don’t be cagey with me. I need you to come to our house that night. It’s important.”
“Why?”
“I’m throwing a surprise party for your father.” She was glad he couldn’t see her triumphant smile. He’d recognize she was lying. But she knew her son. He’d be there for his father.
“A surprise party? Will Dad like that? And what are you celebrating?”
“You father will be delighted. And I’m not telling you what it’s for. It’s a secret. Will you be here?” She held her breath. If her son couldn’t make it, there would be no point to the party.
“Of course I’ll be there. What time?”
“It will start at seven, but you should come a half hour early to help me.”
Her next call was to The Old Cantina. “Is Jessica still there?”
“Yes, ma’am. One minute.”
She repeated her request and received the same response. Suspicion. But, as she’d planned, Jessica, too, c
apitulated for Ed.
“But, Mabel, about what you said earlier, don’t...don’t try to trick Cal, okay?”
“Trick Cal? Why would I do that?” Her smile widened. “I’ve got to go, dear, but I’ll see you Friday night. Oh, and Jessica, wear something sexy.” She hung up even as Jessica gasped.
Next she called her co-conspirators. She felt so sure her son was going to marry Jessica, she could be big-hearted. Each of them was given carte blanche to invite every single woman they knew. That way Cal wouldn’t suspect Jessica was his personal Waterloo.
He’d stay so busy keeping an eye on her, chasing the other men away from her, that he wouldn’t even notice the other women.
SEVERAL TIMES during the week, Cal wondered about the party his mother was giving. He’d even tried to tease an answer out of her, but she deftly avoided his questions. Even without answers, he would be there for his father. He had been fortunate in his parents. In spite of being wealthy, they’d taught him solid values, encouraged him, and still tried to be there for him even though he was fully grown.
Unlike Jessica’s parents.
Her mother had been wonderful, but her father had married someone else and left her mother stranded and pregnant. He’d explained to Jessica’s mother that he couldn’t marry a Mexican.
Jessica’s mixed parentage had given her a startling beauty, with her dark hair and green eyes. But it had also given her pain.
Another reason Cal needed to protect her.
Though Friday was a busy day, he left the office in plenty of time to shower and change and arrive at six-thirty. His mother hadn’t mentioned Jessica, but he knew she’d be invited. His father would want her there.
Anticipation filled him as he pulled into the driveway of their spacious, elegant house. Since he’d arrived early, there were no cars there yet.
“Mom?” he called as he came through the front door.
“Perfect, dear,” she returned, walking from the kitchen into the foyer. “You’re right on time. I need you to do me a favor. Can you go pick up Jessica? I don’t want her driving home late by herself.”
“Good thinking. Shall I go now? We’ll be back before anyone arrives. Will Dad be suspicious?”
One Hot Daddy-To-Be? Page 4