by Roni Adams
He cupped her cheek with his rough hand and looked at her with such raw hunger and anguish that her heart ached. Her body still throbbed and wanted nothing more than to go home with him. But her head, for once, was thinking perfectly clear.
She stepped way. “It's too late. I can't trust you, Ty. How do I know you won't change your mind again tomorrow and be gone when I wake up? Like when I woke up on that cot, alone ... again."
Tyler raked his hand through his hair. “I know. I didn't know what to think. You said you were on the pill and I didn't know if you'd just slept with me because I was convenient or..."
Could he really think I'd ... that I would ... just because ... She threw her hands up in the air. “That's it. I'm out of here."
As she reached the door of the LoneStar, she turned back to glare. “Stay away from me, Tyler. I mean it. Don't touch me, don't talk to me, just leave me the hell alone!"
Inside the bar she made her way across the dance floor, skirting around lovers wrapped around each other, until she reached the table where her purse still sat along with Cole.
"I've gotta go.” She yanked her light jacket off the back of the chair.
Cole stood. “What happened?"
"There's a problem with one of my patients,” she offered in excuse. “I tried to resolve it on the phone, but I'd feel better if I saw her for myself."
Cole nodded and grabbed his keys off the table.
The last thing in the world she wanted was for him to come with her. “No!” She put her hand on his arm and calmed her voice. “I mean, you don't have to leave, that's why I have my truck here. Stay, enjoy the music."
Cole shook his head. “I'm walking you out to your truck."
Beth bit back her frustration. She wanted to get the hell out of there before Tyler came back in. Unfortunately, that wasn't her good luck. Cole's glance hovered over her chest a little too long and she looked down to see what was wrong. All the buttons were crooked.
His head spun around as Tyler strutted past their table. Cole's eyes snapped to hers. “On second thought, I think I will stay. Drive careful, Beth.” And with that, he sat back down.
She clenched her jaw. Not sure what she could possibly say to fix this, she walked away. Once more, Tyler had made a fool of her. And he did it on purpose. He could have stayed outside, but, oh no, he had to walked through the bar and out the front door. Was he ever going to stop making her life a living hell?
Her truck was way in the back of the lot and she held her keys out as she walked. It wasn't as if there were a lot of problems in Sweet Meadow but one couldn't be too careful—she was almost ready for a good fight as it was. Still, she paused as she spotted two men near her truck. Recognizing them she picked up the pace.
Sheriff Conrad Ralston turned as she reached his side. “Beth, you driving Tyler home?"
Beth let her gaze bounce off Tyler's back to the Sheriff. The last thing she wanted to do was drive the grinning cowboy home. Unfortunately, by the strict look in Conrad's eyes, she didn't have much choice. She sorted through her keys to find the one to unlock her truck. Grudgingly, she agreed. “Fine, I'll take him home."
Conrad nodded. “Okay, just checking. I don't want to see him behind the wheel in this condition."
Beth shook her head. “Nope, he's an idiot, but he's not stupid.” She walked around to the driver side, cursing the fates for putting her in this position, and unlocked the door. When she released the electric lock, Tyler pulled open the passenger side door, slurring his good nights to the officer.
"Have a good holiday, Conrad,” she called back as she slid behind the wheel and started the engine. As they pulled out of the parking lot she glared at Tyler. “You're an ass."
"I didn't plan this. I was going to catch a ride with Buck, but they'd pulled out by the time I got out here."
"So you just happened to stand near my truck?"
"I was actually going to call Buck and see if he'd come back, but then Conrad pulled up and thought I was going to drive. He was giving me a real hard time."
He leaned his head back against the seat. His legs were too long for her small truck, making him look all scrunched up. His discomfort, at least, brought her a measure of pleasure.
The back roads were dark without much traffic. Next to her, Tyler hadn't moved and she wondered if he'd fallen asleep. She glanced over and, even though she was still mad at him, she couldn't help but soften a bit. Last Christmas, if anyone had told her she'd be driving him back to the ranch a year later, she'd have told them they were nuts. She also would have been on Cloud Nine to have him by her side again. The girl from last year would have simply been glad he was home and that the nightmare was behind her.
Beth tore her gaze away. She was glad he was back, but she wasn't about to let him hurt her again. Tyler was a wanderer, and no matter what he said, he wasn't going to stay put. He might stay for a few months, but, in time, he would be gone again. She refused to be left in the same condition as she was back then. When he left her, she'd almost lost everything. More importantly, she almost lost herself. She couldn't afford to let that happen again.
She let her breath out and rested her cheek on her hand as they drove under the Double B arches. Cole's look of disappointment twisted her gut. The buttons were a dead giveaway that she'd been out back with Tyler. Did he think she was rushing off to be with him? She needed to have a serious talk with Cole and stop accepting his invitations to go out. It wasn't right anymore. Cole wanted more than friendship and she knew it. He was the nicest guy in the world, and he didn't deserve someone like her—someone who would never feel for him what she should.
The house came into view and she pulled up the horseshoe driveway, parking the truck in front of the Weston porch steps. It was quiet and only the Christmas lights twinkled in the dark. She flipped her head around to the main house, but it looked just as solitary.
Beth sighed and unhooked her seatbelt. “Come on, Ty. We're home.” She spoke loud and shoved at his shoulder. He didn't stir.
She climbed out of the truck, walked around to his side, and yanked open the door. “Come on, Ty, get out.” She grabbed his hand and he shifted.
"Beth?"
"Yep, it's me. Now, come on out of my truck so I can go to bed."
He grinned. “You want to go to bed?"
She grimaced and tried to pull him out of the truck. He pulled back and she stumbled against him. Tyler's eyes opened fully and he lifted a hand to touch her hair. “I miss your long hair."
She twisted her head away. “Come on, get out of the truck."
"Make me,” he whispered with a smile.
"You're not five, Ty, come on,” she pleaded, and tugged on his arm again.
This time he moved, turning on the truck seat until he was sitting with his legs hanging out. But instead of getting out, he simply sat there, staring down. “Do you hate me?"
"No, I don't hate you.” I just want you out of my danged truck.
He looked downcast and sighed. “I would hate me."
"I don't, so you can get out and go to bed now."
"Come with me.” He held his hand out. “I just want to hold you. I promise I won't do anything else. I just want to sleep, holding you in my arms."
Beth's heart ached. “No, that's not a good idea."
He held her gaze. “If you change your mind, my room is upstairs to the right."
"I know where your room is.” A smile tugged her lips. “I've been there remember?"
He grinned. “I haven't forgotten anything, not one moment. Have you?"
Beth sighed, not wanting to get into this. In about two minutes, she was leaving him sitting here in the truck all night and going to bed. “Ty, please."
"Yep, you'd say that, and, ‘Ty, no more I can't take anymore'. But then you would, and we'd drive each other crazy some more. Let me take you there again. Come on, Angel. Let's forget all these issues and problems and focus on how good it is between us."
"That's not the answer,�
�� she said with a small, regretful shake of her head. “It's not enough anymore. Back then, you could always make up with me by doing that, but not now. Things have changed, I've changed."
"Last night..."
Beth put her hand up to stop him. “I'm not talking about last night anymore. It was a lapse in judgment.” She let her hand fall. “Good night. Ty."
She turned on her heel, leaving him sitting there and headed to her own front porch. Before she'd gone inside, she heard the door to her truck shut and his heavy steps on his own porch.
She went inside, trying to convince herself that spending the night alone in her bed was the right thing to do.
* * * *
Tyler's head ached. Not the worst hangover he'd ever had, but bad enough to require aspirin with his coffee. Not only had he'd drank too many beers at the LoneStar, but then the Boyd's had arrived and he'd had a nightcap or two—or three—with them before finally getting to bed sometime around three.
Cord walked in to the kitchen and Tyler eyed him over the rim of his coffee cup. When he'd finally called it a night, Cord had still been up talking to Chase Boyd. Never mind the amazing Charli had been there; Cord's attention was completely focused on the other man's ranch and the new bloodlines he was working with. That was his big brother, all about the business.
"Hey.” Cord leaned back against the kitchen counter.
He jerked his head in response and then winced.
"Sounds like you and Boyd did some good work.” Cord sipped his coffee.
Tyler couldn't help but put his defenses up. Was he implying that he was surprised they'd done good work, or was he saying he should go back and continue it?
Cord stared and Tyler stared back. From the day their parents died, when Cord was barely old enough to get a driver's license, his older brother had stepped into his father's shoes. Or tried to. Between Cord, Sam and Buck, there was never a lack of father figures all telling him what to do, when to do it, and how to feel about it all. It was the reason he had to go.
Now it was the same reason he needed to stay. Chase Boyd had taught him that. He had his family to thank for raising him right, but he had Boyd to thank for making him man enough to know he needed that family.
"Coffee!"
Tyler winced at Charli's bright whoop as she bounded into the room. She was like an Irish Setter, all red hair and boundless energy. Tall and long legged, she had a model's body that made men promise anything for just a smile from those full lips.
Cord poured her a cup and then handed it over. After adding her required three teaspoons of sugar, the redhead took her first sip. “Hmm, just like I like my men, strong but sweet.” She reached up and brushed her lips across Cord's cheek. “You're bed is very comfortable; thanks for letting me in it."
Cord shrugged. “I didn't want you to have to share a bathroom with the rest of these guys."
Tyler grinned. Charli had been trying for years to get under Cord's skin, but the guy was unflappable. She could toss sexual innuendos around all she wanted, but Cord would never rise to the bait. Now, if it were Teddy ... Well, if it was Teddy, Charli wouldn't have been in bed alone last night.
"What are you smiling about?” Charli plopped down in an adjacent chair, her blue eyes dancing with mirth.
He watched her with amusement. She couldn't have had more than three hours sleep, and yet, she was as fresh and energetic as if she'd slept all night. Or at least she appeared that way. He shook his head. “Nothing."
Charli twisted in her seat as Buck walked through the back door. She was out of her chair and in his arms in a flash.
Buck caught her up and swung her around. “Hey, someone told me a redheaded troublemaker had come to town!” He squeezed her tight and set her back on her feet.
Charli walked over to the counter and poured a mug of coffee and handed it to the large cowboy.
Cord frowned. “He has a kitchen of his own."
She waved him off. “Sara needs her rest. Besides, she told me she can't stomach the smell of coffee at all."
Buck took the cup. “Don't listen to them, Red. They like to give me a hard time. Truth is, they're all jealous. I'm the only smart one. Nothing like being married; gotta be honest."
Charli tipped her head. “And who do you have to thank for that? Hmm?"
Tyler watched the two of them banter back and forth. She took full credit for Sara and Buck going beyond friendship. Buck, on the other hand, refused to let her forget it was also her fault that things had gotten off to a rocky start.
"It was all in the plan. I told you that at the wedding.” She sidled up to Cord and slipped her arm through his. “A brilliant scheme, wasn't it?"
Cord glanced down at her, a smile tugging his lips. “We were good together, a real team effort."
Charli tipped her head back and Tyler watched in amusement, knowing what was coming.
"We could be a great team, if you'd play my kind of games."
His oldest brother laughed off the comment and moved away from the sexy siren to set his cup in the sink. “I'm going out to see Sam, then ride out.” He turned to Tyler. “If you wanna come, meet me in the barn in an hour."
Tyler waited until he walked out the door then grinned at Charli. “You never give up on him, do you?"
She smiled. “I can't help but tease him. I keep thinking that still waters run deep, and there's probably this untapped well of hot passion under all that cool exterior."
Buck crossed the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. “I wouldn't count on it. Cord is more interested in the figures on his computer then that sexy one of yours."
Charli pushed Buck out of the way and Tyler watched with interest as she grabbed eggs and other ingredients from the refrigerator. His stomach rumbled in anticipation. Another thing that girl had going for her: Charli could make cardboard taste good.
Buck sat down at the table and looked like a puppy waiting on a biscuit. “You're going to be surprised someday if Cord suddenly turns to you with a diamond."
Tyler stood up and reached past her to get plates out of the kitchen cupboard. Talk of marriage inevitably focused his thoughts on Beth. Was she up already? Was she over at the clinic? Or was she having coffee at the house with her sister? Susan was a notoriously late sleeper so he'd guess she was already at the clinic. His mind raced for a good reason to stop by there after breakfast.
"If anyone waves a diamond in my face, I'm out of here.” Charli dragged the cast iron skillet onto the burner and turned on the heat. “No offense, Buck, but I can't imagine living the rest of my life with one person.” She shuddered.
"It depends on the person.” Tyler set the plates on the table and headed to the refrigerator for juice.
"Speaking of ... what happened at the LoneStar last night?"
Tyler frowned. “What do you mean?"
Buck picked up the newspaper that Cord had left behind. “I heard from Bill that Teddy had to drive Cole Pritchard home. Seems he was drowning his sorrows.” He snapped the paper open and glanced at Tyler over the edge.
"I left with Beth. No idea what his problem was."
"Yeah, and thanks for letting me clean up that mess, little brother,” Teddy groused as he walked into the kitchen. His scowl disappeared when he spotted the woman at the stove. He swooped in and wrapped his arms around the leggy redhead from behind, nuzzling her neck. “Christmas has come early."
Charli laughed but pushed at the arms around her waist. Tyler was always surprised that she never seemed to care much for Teddy. As far as he could tell, the two of them were cut from the same mold.
"In your dreams, cowboy. Now let go, your brothers are hungry."
But Teddy kept his arms firmly around her. “I'm hungry, too, but you don't seem to want to do anything to appease me."
His brother suddenly yelped and jumped away. Tyler chuckled. More than likely, Charli pinched him a good one.
"Sit down and behave, or you won't get any breakfast, either.” She waved a spatula in his direc
tion and narrowed her eyes.
Teddy wiggled his brows. “Ohhh, beat me, baby, beat me.” He grabbed a cup of coffee and straddled a chair.
Tyler hated the way his brother's gaze drank in every inch of their redheaded friend. They'd known the Boyd family all their life. Charli's father and theirs had gone to school together before his current employer had moved to Abilene. For some reason, living with them the past eighteen months had brought out a protective brotherly instinct in him towards Boyd's daughter.
"Anyway, back to Pritchard.” Teddy swung his gaze back. “Did he ever tie one on last night."
"Not my problem he can't hold his liquor.” Hopefully no one knew how much he'd consumed last night either. Conrad was the only one, besides Beth, who'd seen him before they left.
"Is that right? Where's your truck this morning then?"
He held his brother's gaze steady. “I didn't ride home with Beth because I was drunk,” he lied. But he knew that Beth would never have taken him home if he hadn't been inebriated. Although, the way she responded to him out on the deck had given him a lot of hope in the wee hours of the night as he tossed and turned and thought about her alone in her bed.
Charli set a platter of food on the table and neatly sidestepped Teddy's attempt to grab her. “Last time I looked, Beth, Cole and Tyler were all well over twenty-one and should be able to live their lives without everyone commenting and speculating."
Tyler gave her an appreciative nod, but Charli was an only child; she had no idea how large families were with each other. There was no such thing as privacy.
"All I'm saying is, if you and Beth are rolling around in the hay together, she shouldn't be going out with Cole. And if she's going out with Cole, she shouldn't be going home with you.” Teddy stabbed a pile of sausage and loaded his plate with the fluffy eggs.
"I'm so glad that I've given you such fascinating breakfast conversation."
Tyler's heart jerked at the sound of Beth's voice. He whipped his head around to find her framed in the kitchen doorway. None of them had heard her come in from the front of the house.