Show-Off in Spurs (Crossroads Book 5)

by Em Petrova

  “Hey,” he said after a moment or two.

  Awkward strain bounced between them, unlike the give-it-to-me-now electricity he was used to.

  “Hi. I didn’t expect to see you,” she said.

  “I probably should have called.”

  “It’s fine. I was just working on my new website.”

  His brows jacked up. “You’re building your website?”

  “Yes. Come in and I’ll show you.” She stepped aside to allow him to pass.

  As he walked by her body, he felt her warmth and caught the light trace of her perfume. He’d dreamed about that scent since burying his nose against her throat in the back seat of his truck on that first day.

  She closed the door behind him, and he stopped in the middle of the open living space to take everything in.

  She’d added curtains and an old-fashioned stoneware crock by the door with a walking stick and an umbrella in it. He couldn’t imagine her using a walking stick, but he figured she added it as a décor item.

  To the left and right of the flatscreen over the schoolhouse’s original brick fireplace, she’d hung some prints in light colors that matched the new sofa he’d not only helped carry in for her, and moved it to three different spots in the living room before she made up her mind, but he’d pulled her down and kissed her there.

  His gaze was drawn to her shirt again. He couldn’t compete with a memory.

  She drifted to the small dining table, where her laptop stood. She sat in front of her computer without speaking, but he followed to look over her shoulder at the screen.

  Sure enough, she had a website in the process of being built.

  “That’s amazing,” he said in a low tone of awe.

  She glanced at him, an odd expression crossing her beautiful face. “These days there are a lot of options out there for DIY websites. It’s pretty self-explanatory.”

  “You lend your eye to detail.”

  She stared at the screen again. He watched her throat move with a hard swallow.

  “Enough of this tiptoeing around each other. Sadie, if you’re mad at me, come out and say it.”

  She went still, palms flattened on the table. Then she turned her head and looked him straight in the eyes when she said, “I am mad at you, Theo.”

  He stepped back. He guessed as much, but hearing her state it so boldly and with that harsh edge to her voice had him reeling. She twisted in her chair and then stood with the table behind her as if she needed it to support her.

  He didn’t know how to do a relationship let alone an argument.

  “What did I do?”

  “You were—are!—acting so weird with me!” She planted her hands on her hips, and he even saw a flash of her wedding band. Jesus Christ, she was spiraling into her sorrow again, clinging to a man she couldn’t get back.

  He towed in a deep breath that burned through his nostrils. “Tell me what you call acting weird.”

  “First after the incident with the bull. You refused to take a ride from me.”

  “I had to get to the ranch.” To find Jordy—something he couldn’t do with Sadie at his side.

  “Fair enough. And what about you standing me up last night when you said you were coming?”

  He searched her eyes, saw past the sparks to true anger. “I’m sorry about that. I got wrapped up and couldn’t leave. I told you by the time I realized the time, I felt it was too late to text you.”

  “What about today on the street? Did you not want me to see you coming out of the attorney’s office?”

  He felt himself wince.

  A silent heartbeat strung between them, cobwebs draped in the darkness. If one of them took a step, they’d step into the web and who knew if they’d ever be free?

  She shook her head. “I never should have allowed you into my life.”

  Holy fuck. That hurt. Pain sliced through his heart.

  Anger followed hot on the heels of the painful spasm.

  “Why say all this now, Sadie? You could have walked away at any time. You didn’t have to keep going with me…falling into bed with me.” He lowered his brows. “Pretending like you cared.”

  “Cared! Ahhh!” She issued a sharp scream of frustration. “You are so clueless! See this face?” She pointed to her shirt and the unsmiling man who’d loved her so well that she couldn’t forget him and move on. “Has it ever occurred to you that I can’t be with another man who risks his life?”

  Theo gaped at her. “You’re associating what I do with what your late husband did? Sweetheart, I’m not climbing on bulls and hoping to hold on for eight seconds. I’m earnin’ a living!”

  She stepped forward, coming within arms’ reach of him. “You say that chasing a runaway horse isn’t a risk? Or walking up to that hurt bull?”

  He spread his arms. “That’s part of the job! I have to do those things sometimes.”

  She turned her head aside, ripping her stare away from his like a strong piece of tape stuck to the skin, which left him bleeding. “I can’t deal with that life, Theo.”

  He grabbed her by the upper arms, whipping her toward him. She refused to meet his gaze and stared at his chest. “You knew what I did for a living before you fell into my arms a good half dozen times. Sadie, look at me!”

  Her gaze flashed up.

  “You knew! So what has changed? Why are you flipping out on me about it now?”

  Her eyes narrowed. “You dumb ass, it’s because I care about you, that’s why! I don’t want to put my heart in jeopardy again.”

  As her words settled in his brain, a kernel of warmth lodged in his chest, so deep it became part of the thumping organ. She cared about him. But she wouldn’t be with him. And he could only guess that she’d talked herself into believing every word she said. Her late husband’s face on the T-shirt and the wedding ring were proof.

  Where to go from here? Hell, he didn’t know which way was front, back, left, right, up or down. All he knew was he was falling for her.

  He smoothed his hands down her arms, all the way to her wrists, which he encircled in his grip. “You wanna know what’s been going on with me? I’ll tell you. I’m harboring a runaway teenager on the Bellamy.”

  She stared, expression blank, and then she blinked. “What?” she whispered.

  He nodded. “A kid showed up a few months ago, exhausted, dirty, half-starved. He’d run away from home.”

  “Oh my God.”

  “I got him food and a bath. Gave him some clean clothes to wear. He didn’t even have a jacket or a change of socks. He walked out of his house and never looked back. He begged me not to turn him in, just let him stay a while until he figured things out. What could I say but yes?”

  Tears brimmed in her eyes.

  He went on, “His name’s Jordy. I’ve been hiding him in the shed. I bought him some clothes and toiletries, which he keeps hidden beneath a loose floorboard. I sneak him food three times a day at least, and give him snacks too.”

  “My God, Theo. I never guessed you could be hiding something of this importance.” Her eyes suddenly widened. “Is Jordy the reason you’re being accused of burning the shed and then flooding the field? Oh my God! Jordy was the kid running from the bull!”

  He slid his hands from her wrists to her hands, enfolding them in his fingers. “That’s right. But how did you know about the shed and field?”

  “Jada and Joss.”

  “Of course.”

  “They said Cort believes your being careless is a sign of wanting to leave your job.”

  He expelled a breath through his nose. “Figures that rumor’s goin’ around.”

  “Why didn’t you explain to Cort that it wasn’t you?”

  “He’ll kick Jordy off the ranch. Or call the sheriff. Jordy’s adamant he won’t go to foster care. I suspect he’s spent time there before. His home life’s bad, by the sounds of it.” He shook his head. “I won’t send him somewhere he doesn’t want to be.”

  “But what other answer is th
ere? He needs to be in school and have a stable home life. You can’t keep him hidden forever, Theo.”

  “I know that. It’s why I went to see the attorney. I was asking about Jordy’s rights—and my own.”

  She searched his eyes. “Yours?”

  “Yeah. I thought I could keep him. Move off the ranch and he can live with me and attend school.”

  “How old is he?” she asked in a throaty tone.

  “Fifteen.” He couldn’t resist a flash of a smile. “He eats like it too.”

  * * * * *

  She issued a noise she could only call a cry. Looking up at this big cowboy standing in front of her, Sadie had good opinions about Theo…but never would have guessed at what a truly good, sweet and generous man he was.

  Her insides surged with love for him. That he’d taken in a stranger and provided for him, kept him safe, had her heart overflowing.

  Squeezing his hands, she met his stare. “Theo. You have to get him off that ranch, before something worse happens than a shed fire or an injured bull.”

  He heaved a sigh. “I know that. I’ve been racking my brain for weeks, trying to figure out an answer. I don’t know what to do.”

  “What did the lawyer have to say?”

  His face crumbled for a minute, and she saw the depths of his torment. He released her hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. After a moment of struggle, he said, “I can’t keep him. Not unless his parents sign off and give me custody. And it doesn’t seem as though they would. If Jordy’s found, they’ll put him in the system.”

  A notion hit her—the answer so obvious, she was stunned that she hadn’t thought of it first.

  “Bring him here.”

  He looked at her. “What?”

  “I-I’ve got the loft. A fully stocked refrigerator. Bring Jordy here until we can figure out some answers.”

  He wagged his head. “Sadie…are you serious?”

  “Of course I’m serious. I want to help—both of you. Go and get him. Right now. I’ll make up the bed in the loft.”

  Gaping at her, a puff of air left his lips. “You’re so damn amazing. You know that?”

  She sniffled. “I was gonna say the same thing about you, Theo Sutton. Come here.” She stepped up to him and threw her arms around his neck, pulling him down. He wrapped her snugly against his chest, rocking both of them back and forth in a post-argument hug.

  “I’m sorry for biting your head off,” she whispered against his chest.

  He pressed a kiss to her head. “I’m sorry too. I should have confided sooner, and that way you wouldn’t think I was… What did you think I was doing at the attorney’s office, anyway?”

  She buried her nose against his hard chest. “I thought the Bellamys were bringing charges against you, and you were seeking counsel.”

  A rough sigh passed through his throat, rumbling his chest under her cheek. “I wouldn’t doubt that’s next. I’m willing to challenge whatever comes, but I need Jordy in a safe place.”

  “That’s here.”

  He pulled away to look at her. “You’re sure? He comes with a hefty food bill. I’ll pay for him. And he’s mischievous. He—”

  She cut him off, “We’ll work it out later. Bring him, Theo.”

  “Christ, has anyone ever told you what a beautiful and special person you are?”

  She glanced down at the image on her chest. “One.” She looked up at Theo. “And now you.”

  He swooped down and captured her lips. The kiss ignited plenty of lust, but this time something shifted. Changed. And they both knew it too.

  When they broke apart, she smiled up at him, and his wide smile in return was the best thing she’d seen in too long.

  “I don’t want to leave you yet. I feel like there are things I want to say to you,” he started.

  Pressing her finger to his lips, she went on tiptoe to cover his mouth with hers in a tender kiss. “It can wait until later. Go and get Jordy.”

  After she saw him to the truck and returned alone to the schoolhouse, she closed the door and leaned against it, heart pounding. Of all the things she thought Theo would have to say tonight, his revelation about taking care of a runaway teen wouldn’t be her hundredth guess, or even a thousandth. Yet now all the odd puzzle pieces dropped into place, connecting the whole big picture.

  And what she saw spread out before her…she loved. She was in love with Theo.

  She raised her hand to inspect her wedding band she’d taken off months ago in readiness for the next chapter of her life. Yet the minute she believed herself too vulnerable for a man like Theo, she donned the armor of the T-shirt and wedding ring.

  How these must have confused and hurt Theo, yet he hadn’t said a word to her. Again, she saw how selfless the man really was—willing to bypass his own emotions in order to save hers.

  A tear trickled down her cheek, and she brushed it away. Then she sprang to action.

  She hurried upstairs to make the bed with new sheets and a comforter and the fluffiest pillows.

  Then she hurried downstairs again. She changed her top and reverently placed the wedding band into her jewelry case.

  After that, she got cookin’. The act was a big stress reliever, something her months alone had taught her. By the time she heard the truck outside, she had a three-course meal ready for the table.

  Chapter Nine

  “I hope you eat Italian, Jordy.” Sadie spent a lot of time meeting new people and finding something to talk about, so she wasn’t too worried about conversing with Jordy. Besides, Theo looked nervous enough for both of them.

  Jordy nodded. “I haven’t had it in a while, but I do. Thanks. I mean, thank you, ma’am.”

  She smiled. “Just Sadie is fine. If you’d like to wash up before we eat, the bathroom is through that door.” She pointed.

  The tall, gangly boy hesitantly walked away from Theo’s side, where he’d been glued since the moment they climbed out of his truck.

  As soon as the bathroom door closed, Theo turned to her. “God, you’re amazing. I can’t believe you whipped up dinner.”

  “It’s not that exciting—only spaghetti, salad and bread.”

  “I’m still impressed.” His eyes glowed down at her, and she felt herself drawn to him.

  She didn’t realize she’d taken a step closer until the door opened and she separated herself from Theo so Jordy didn’t feel as if he intruded. Now that she saw him again, she realized she’d spotted him that time on the ranch, going into the shed and then peeking out again. At the time, she believed it a thin man, but now she didn’t know how she mistook him for anything but a teen.

  “You boys come have a look-see in the fridge and grab what you want to drink.” She moved to the range, where the pot of spaghetti warmed.

  Behind her, she heard Jordy whisper something to Theo. “Sadie said grab anything you want,” Theo responded.

  After transferring the spaghetti to a big bowl, she bustled it to the table. She caught Jordy’s eye and offered a smile as she returned for the bread and salad on the counter. The guys found seats. Theo removed his hat and placed it on the floor under his chair, as she’d seen him do a couple times out of respect.

  She noted how Jordy’s eyes followed him and the respect reflected on his features. Having a strong person in his life to look up to might be the most important thing Jordy needed right now. Almost as much as a safe place to stay.

  Tears threatened as she settled with them at the table.

  Immediately, Jordy reached for the bread basket. He plucked one slice out, and not even bothering with butter, stuffed it into his mouth.

  Sadie tried not to giggle, but Theo leaned across the table to stare at him. Jordy’s cheeks flamed.

  “I know it’s been a while since you sat at a table, but I know you must have better manners than that,” Theo admonished.

  Jordy dropped his hands to his lap, chewing slowly and swallowing the huge lump of bread. Under the table, Sadie aimed a kick at Theo’s shi
n. He looked up at her, and she tried to tell him with her look to take it easy on the kid. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was taming a teen boy.

  Picking up on her cue, Theo cleared his throat. Then he reached into the basket and plucked out a slice. Jordy watched as he stuffed it whole into his mouth.

  She burst out laughing and grabbed her own, taking the time to butter it first and settling for a much smaller bite than the guys. Theo chuckled and washed down his slice by chugging water, and Jordy’s lips quirked in the first hint of a smile.

  After the ice breaker, she played Mom and doled out plates of spaghetti for each of them. Theo passed the salad. Jordy shyly asked if Theo would pass the ranch dressing.

  The dinner was entirely normal, but she couldn’t help but think they’d reached some level ground between the three. She wanted Jordy to know he could relax in her home, that life wasn’t perfect and being playful helped keep it happy too.

  She could see the strain of his time alone in the set of his shoulders and bow of his blond head.

  “You could use a haircut, Jordy.”

  He lifted a hand and smoothed down the front of his hair, which hung into his eyes. “I could, ma— I mean, Sadie.”

  “You’re in luck that I know how to cut hair.” She took a bite of lettuce and tomato slathered in ranch.

  Theo arched a brow. “You know how to cut hair?”

  “Yes. I had a spell in high school where I thought I wanted to be a hairdresser to the stars. So I went to vo-tech school for a year. I’m nowhere near the hairdresser to the stars ability, but I can execute a simple man’s haircut. That is, if you trust me, Jordy.”

  He gave a nod.

  “We’ll do it tomorrow.”

  Theo’s smile warmed her heart. “I can do a bit on the trim wood tonight.”

  “That would be great.”

  He glanced to Jordy. “You ever do any woodworking?”

  “No.”

  “Maybe you can give me a hand.”

  “Okay.” Jordy polished off his plate of spaghetti and stared hungrily at the bowl.

  She waved a hand toward it. “Help yourself, Jordy. Don’t be shy around here.”