by Kim Mckade
Corinne’s mouth curved in a halfhearted smile. “If it means anything, Toby, I’m really proud of you. You did the right thing last night. And the right thing just now.”
Toby wasn’t so sure. His dad wouldn’t have handled it like this, that much he knew for sure But for the first time, he was coming to accept the fact that no matter how hard he tried, he wasn’t John Haskell. He smiled wanly and took her hand. He kissed her palm. He was the town villain all of a sudden, and he would take comfort from anywhere he could get it.
As Toby watched her drive away a few moments later, he realized that her approval did mean something to him. In fact, it meant everything. Finally, he’d done something to impress Corinne Maxwell. And it had only taken alienating the entire town to do it.
Hell, if he arrested them all, she might just kiss him without slapping him.
Chapter 6
“Dear God, you look incredible.”
Corinne fought the instant surge of pleasure Toby’s words brought. She should have known better than to agree to this. She smothered her smile and pursed her lips, feigning immunity to his charm.
She looked down at the green wool dress that draped across her shoulders and hugged her hips. “It’s just a dress, Toby.”
“I’m not talking about the dress. I’m talking about you.” He sighed and put one hand over his heart, thumping it dramatically.
Corinne simply rolled her eyes and stepped back from the door to let him in. She turned away so he wouldn’t see the slow heat of pleasure creep into her face. The man was dangerous.
And devastatingly handsome. He wore his uniform, and Corinne wondered weakly if that theory about women loving a man in uniform applied to her, too. She’d never noticed the affliction with any other man. But then, most men didn’t fill out a button-down tan shirt and pants the way Toby did.
“I thought you were off duty tonight,” she said. “Why are you wearing your uniform?”
“For a purely physical reason—because I know you can’t resist it.” With a flourish he whipped out a box he’d been holding behind his back. He held it in front of her.
It was a fat white homecoming mum, complete with about fifty yards of dangling ribbon, tiny cowbells and football ornaments. Their graduating year was in green numbers made from pipe cleaners, glued to the middle of the fake flower.
“You idiot.” She laughed.
It had been one of their biggest arguments when they were seniors in high school. She’d let him know in no uncertain terms that she didn’t like the tradition of the homecoming mum. She thought it was silly and ostentatious, and not at all attractive. Why any woman would want to wear a fake white flower pinned to her chest was beyond her, but it was a Texas tradition.
She couldn’t believe it when, in their senior year, he showed up on her doorstep with the biggest one she’d ever seen. And then had the nerve to be angry when she refused to wear it.
“You have to wear it. It cost me a fortune. ”
“Toby Haskell, I’m not your prize. You are not going to show the rest of the town what a great guy you are because you bought me the biggest mum m town. ” She looked down at the green-and-white monstrosity in the plastic florist’s box. “Besides, it’s huge. I’d feel like a float in a parade.”
“You have to wear it, Corinne.” When Toby couldn’t think of another point to argue his case, he simply held on to the one he had like a bulldog.
“I told you, Toby, these things are a status symbol. All the guys try to outdo each other and get the biggest, gaudiest-looking thing they can find, and the girls stick them on their chests so they can show the world their worth. It’s archaic, and we don’t want to be a part of that, do we?”
“I do.”
It had been an intense fight, but Corinne remembered the reconciliation afterward, at their favorite parking spot, also being particularly intense. Intense and ... hot. Like the room had become.
Corinne swallowed against a suddenly dry mouth and wondered if Toby was remembering the same thing. She looked up at him. His gray eyes were charcoal dark. He remembered. She cleared her throat and pursed her lips.
“Don’t even think that’s going to work again.” She arched her brows. “And I’m not wearing that.”
“You have to It cost me a fortune.”
He grinned wickedly at her, and her heart did a slow flip. She stared at him for a moment, hating the way her heart always pounded when he looked at her like that, heaven and hell wrapped up in a sexy smile. Finally, she took the box from his hand and laid it on the table.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m putting it on.”
He looked disappointed. “I liked it better when you put up a fight.”
“You liked it better when we made up, after the fight,” she said, struggling with the long pin the florist provided. “Help me with this, will you?”
He jumped at the chance. His fingers were long and strong as they pierced the pin through her dress and around the stern of the mum. She stared, fascinated despite herself, at the ridges of his knuckles, the blue vein that swooped over the back of his broad hand.
His warm breath fanned her cheek as she stared at the silver star on his chest Surely it wasn’t necessary for him to get this close. The spicy scent of his cologne teased lightly at the edge of her senses.
But the greatest assault of all was him, just him. The presence of his body inches from hers.
“Aren’t you done yet?” she snapped.
He laughed. “No, not yet.”
She stepped away. “That will have to do.” She looked down at the mum, smoothed her dress, did anything she could to keep from looking at him.
“Well,” she said, dusting her hands. “I’m ready if you are.”
“I’ll say. I’ve been looking forward to this all day. Our first official date.”
“I’ve told you a dozen times, this is not a date. Aren’t you nervous?”
“Nah. I never got nervous when I played the game. I see no reason to be now that I’m just a spectator.”
“I’m not talking about the game. I’m talking about the mob of angry parents and suspended players who are threatening to string you up by your ears and hang you from the flagpole.”
“Oh, that,” he said as he led her out the front door. He held the screen as she locked the door, then shrugged. “Why should I be nervous? They’re just blowing steam. It’s just talk, Corinne. Nothing’s going to happen.”
“I hope you’re right. The whole Buchanan clan is calling for your blood.”
“I’m right. Besides, who’d mess with me tonight?” He puffed his chest out in exaggerated masculinity. “I’m the sheriff, and I’ve got the best-looking date in town. And, I might add, I bought her the biggest mum in three states.”
“I’m not your date,” Corinne said automatically as he opened the car door for her and she sat down inside.
He grinned at her as he shut the door, whistling tunelessly as he moved to his side of the Jeep.
“Seriously, Toby,” she continued her one-sided debate as he got in. “I don’t want you to think I’m inviting ... anything between us tonight. I just think it’s important for the school to show unity on this issue. This whole mess has been a controversy from day one, and I think that’s a terrible message to be sending the students.”
“Uh-huh,” Toby said as he pulled the Jeep into the street
“I think the students need to see all the authority figures united in concern over the main issue, and that’s their safety and wellbeing. Attending the game with you is my way of showing that I agree with you, and support your decision not to be too lenient on those boys.”
“Sure, yeah.”
“I hate it that so many of the Buchanans—and the rest of the parents, too—are openly disagreeing with you about the arrests. They’re not doing their kids justice in the long run. Those kids need to learn now that there are consequences to their actions.”
“Yep.”
“
They need to learn now that their parents aren’t always going to bail them out. Some of them might want to leave Aloma and get out into the real world. It won’t matter then if they play football or who their daddy is. Did you know Dan Buchanan had the nerve to call me at home? He wanted me to talk to you because he thinks that you and I ... that we..that we’re...”
“Dating?”
“Yes. He wanted me to try to talk some sense into you, he said. He rambled on and on about ‘boys will be boys.’ And about how you’re ‘an elected official who needs to learn how to serve the concerns of the voters.”’
“He told you that?”
“Yes! Can you believe that?”
“Did he sound threatening? Did he make you nervous?”
“Of course not.” Corinne denied the flicker of fear she’d felt during and after that conversation. She’d come to Aloma to get away from fear. She wasn’t about to let some redneck father take her security away from her. She was never going to let that happen again.
She took a deep breath and smoothed the skirt of her dress as they pulled up to the football grounds. “So anyway, Toby, I just want to make it plain once again that tonight is strictly platonic. I know you’ve expressed a...a desire to move our friendship to another—”
“Corinne.” Toby laid his arm on the seat back and leaned toward her. His fingers toyed idly with her hair, and his gaze captured hers. She found it impossible to look away.
“Y-yes?” She cleared her throat and fought the shiver that ran up her arm when his finger brushed lightly against her neck.
“You go to awfully great lengths to deny this is a date.”
“This isn’t a—”
He covered her mouth lightly with the backs of his fingers.
“I’m glad you’re concerned about the kids,” he said He smiled and licked his lower lip.
“Of course I’m concerned about them. They’re my students. And this isn’t—”
He was already out of the car and moving around to open her door. She sighed and slumped in her seat, looking down at the gaudy flower pinned to her chest.
It was going to be a long night.
It was humiliating. It was brutal. And as painful as it must have been for the boys, Corinne decided it was even more excruciating to watch.
The Aloma Bulldogs—what was left of them—played with heart, played with determination and soul. And got stomped all over the field.
Through it all she and Toby stood on the sidelines, cheering the second string boys along. Corinne willed her boys to play better. She prayed for some luck. She crossed her fingers and wished for them to get the ball, to hang on to it. Finally she beseeched God for an end to the demolition.
Three times she felt pain in her hands and looked down to see her nails biting into her palms. She wanted to jump the fence and help the team.
Toby remained optimistic throughout the pounding. He yelled, he cheered, he clapped and even rattled a cowbell, showing his support. But Corinne knew he had to be aware of the animosity from the crowd. The anger was palpable in the air. Every few minutes someone would walk by muttering, just loudly enough for them to overhear, that this was all Haskell’s fault.
“We’d win this game if Deputy Dawg over there would mind his own business.”
Corinne looked over her shoulder at the small group of men. They stood with their arms crossed at their chests, glaring at Toby. She recognized most of them as Buchanans. She didn’t know which of them spoke, but it didn’t matter. They all looked capable. Dan and Carl Buchanan were conspicuously absent, though.
She looked back to see if Toby heard. He was grinning, but she caught the glint of steel in his eyes as he faced the belligerent crowd.
“Evenin’, guys.” He nodded and turned back to the game.
Corinne couldn’t toss it off that easily. She looked repeatedly over her shoulder, waiting for the moment when the glares and barely audible remarks became more serious.
Toward the end of the game, Luke stepped beside Corinne and pretended interest in the mismatch on the field.
“How’s it look?” Toby asked under his breath, still watching the field.
“Everything checks out so far. Dutch is at your mom’s house, and I just left your place. Nothing yet.”
“Told you. It was just talk. There won’t be any trouble.”
Corinne’s nerves sang. “What are you two talking about? Toby, have you been threatened?”
Toby cut his gaze over to her, silently warning her to lower her voice.
“We heard rumors that Toby would pay if the Bulldogs don’t win this game,” Luke said quietly. “Somebody’s been calling the station and describing what they’re going to do to Toby and his mother and—” He cut off abruptly when Toby held his hand up.
“It’s just talk.” Toby scowled at Luke. “Rumors. Don’t worry.”
“Don’t worry?” she said, her voice rising. “You’re posting guards, for crying out loud!” She took a deep breath and cast a glance at the group behind them. “And I’m not supposed to worry,” she said through clenched teeth.
“I’ve got it under control,” Toby insisted.
She stared at him, realization dawning “You’re here to guard me,” she said flatly. “That’s why you asked me to come with you They made threats against me, too, so you wanted to keep an eye on me.”
He put his hand on her shoulder. “Listen, sweetheart, it isn’t that big a deal—”
She swatted his hand away and stalked off.
It was anger she felt, she told herself. Not fear Righteous anger that made her heart pound and her blood run alternately hot and cold.
Anger at a town that would be more concerned about a football game than their own children’s health and safety. Angry at Toby for thinking he could control everything. As if she would just sit back and trust him to take care of her, to see to her safety. As if she’d ever let anyone do that again.
She’d come here to get away from fear, she reminded herself as she moved quickly through the crowd. She had been sickened by herself after the shooting, at how terrified she was of every little noise, every unexpected move around her. The panic attacks had shamed her. She hadn’t had one in over a month, and she wasn’t going to be like that again.
Footsteps sounded behind her. She whirled, saw it was Toby, and turned back toward home. He stepped in front of her.
“Move,” she said, sidestepping him.
He matched her step. “Car’s over there.”
“I’m not riding with you.”
“Oh, but you are,” he said easily.
“I’m walking home.”
“You’re riding with me. I’m taking you home, and when I get there, I’m going to stay.”
People slowed down to watch them argue. Corinne glared at him and clenched her teeth. “Like hell you are.”
She edged her way past him and made it to the middle of the street before he caught up and stepped in front of her again. Corinne turned and began walking down the middle of the road.
Toby pivoted and blocked her way again. Faces inside the passing cars stared unabashedly at their strange behavior.
“You’re making a big scene, Toby, and I don’t appreciate it.”
“You’re the one being pigheaded.” She could swear he was getting a kick out of this. “It’s my duty to protect and to serve. Whether you want it or not.”
“I’m warning you, Toby. You really don’t want to be around me right now.”
She stepped around him, directly into the path of a pickup.
Her gasp was drowned out by the screech of the pickup’s tires and Toby’s angry oath.
“Dammit, Corinne!”
Corinne was so stunned by her near miss that she didn’t have the presence of mind to protest when Toby put an arm around her shoulder. But when he put the other arm behind her knees, she came to her senses.
“Toby,” she shrieked as he scooped her into his arms.
He tightened his grip. “Be sti
ll.”
“Put me down. Now!”
Toby ignored her. It was embarrassing, being lugged across the street. The people in passing cars really gawked now, pointing and laughing to boot.
Corinne pushed against his chest. It was no use—she couldn’t get any leverage. It was ridiculous, especially considering the fact that she wasn’t exactly a petite damsel in distress. Toby shifted her close to his chest and her legs flopped ungracefully.
“I’m going to kill you for this,” she said calmly as he carried her to the Jeep.
He wasn’t content to set her beside the passenger door. He dug his keys out of his pocket and unlocked the door without putting her down. When he got the door open, he dumped her inside, shoved the lock down, and slammed the door.
“I hope you’re happy,” she said when he got behind the wheel. “You have now created the biggest scene in the history of Aloma. We’ll be the talk of the town.”
Still he was silent.
“I’m probably going to get fired for this, I hope you know. In fifteen minutes, this is going to be blown all out of proportion. People will say you were arresting me for public intoxication or something. I’ll be run out of town.”
“Good. The same thing is going to happen to me after that game. Wanna go together?”
“You know where you can go,” she said pointedly as he pulled the Jeep in front of her house.
Corinne bit her tongue, determined not to talk to him. For about three seconds.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked him. “Why didn’t you tell me you thought I might be in danger?”
“You were never in any danger, Corinne. You know those guys. They’re just a bunch of blowhards.”
“And yet you wanted to keep an eye on me? If I’m not in danger, why did you pick me up and lug me across the parking lot? That was ridiculous.”
Toby at least had the good grace to look sheepish. Corinne glared at him in the glow of the dashboard light and decided she didn’t care how sheepish he looked.
“I didn’t want anyone to say anything to you. I didn’t want you to run into any of those guys. They watched you walk away from me. They knew you were alone.” He killed the lights, throwing his face into darkness.