To Catch a Texas Cowboy (Wishing, Texas Book 2)

by Julie Benson

  Her experience insisted men who readily admitted their mistakes were figments of wishful, slightly delusional women’s imaginations. A man only apologized to get a woman to quit harping at him, not because he believed he was wrong or was truly sorry. It was a means to an end.

  And AJ was all man.

  Grace cleared her throat. “Now about the accident—”

  “My job requires I call it in.”

  And here they were. Back to square one.

  AJ could almost see the gears working inside Grace’s head as she struggled to decide whether or not to believe his apology.

  Something smelled funny, and it wasn’t because the wind was coming from Johnsons’ cow pasture. Over the years, he’d investigated enough cases to recognize someone giving him the runaround, and Grace Henry was trying her best to get him to chase his tail.

  Not that accomplishing the fact took much effort considering the overwhelming attraction that slammed into him hard and fast, knocking him all but senseless the moment he’d opened Grace’s car door. When he saw her there, her cutoffs riding up revealing long, curvy legs that went on like a Texas summer, he’d been lucky to string two coherent words together.

  But with his head clear, and his raging hormones subsiding, what Grace said hit brain cells.

  The authorities had trouble believing he hadn’t shared his illegal activities with me. They asked the same questions over and over, insisting I had to know something useful.

  Oh, yeah, there was more to her story, but his curiosity would have to wait until he’d dealt with their accident.

  He called the office, and requested Marjorie send an officer, a fire truck, the paramedics and a tow truck. “There aren’t any serious injuries, but the vehicles are wedged together.”

  “If you’re on the scene why do you need another officer? Is traffic duty and filling out an accident report unworthy of your big city FBI skills?”

  The woman seemed determined to be a burr under his saddle at every opportunity. “Since my truck got rear-ended, it wouldn’t be proper for me to file the report.”

  “Guess you’re right,” Marjorie conceded. “I’ll take care of everything, including calling the mayor to push back your meeting.”

  After AJ ended the call, Grace shook her head. “Do we need all that? Shouldn’t you leave some emergency response personnel in town?”

  “That’s a good one, but Wishing isn’t quite that small.” He chuckled, but quickly sobered. “Haven’t we gone down this road before?”

  They had, but she hadn’t liked where they’d ended up. She lowered the hand holding his shirt to her forehead, and flexed it to restore the blood flow. “Has the cut stopped bleeding?”

  AJ stepped closer to check, and her ample chest brushed his. He sucked in his breath as red hot craving shot through him. He skidded backward, surprised he didn’t trip over his feet in his haste to put distance between them. Unfortunately, the additional space failed to dampen his body’s reaction. But he suspected him being in Oklahoma wouldn’t be enough distance. In a lame attempt to cool off, he stared at the horizon and counted to twenty. Then he cleared his throat, and worked to keep the excitement pumping through his veins from making a certain part of his anatomy stand at attention. “Yeah, it’s stopped bleeding.”

  Appearing unaware of his predicament and unaffected by their contact, Grace fanned her face with his shirt. “Is it always this hot in July?”

  “We’re actually having a mild summer.”

  Now they were talking about the weather. He hadn’t felt this awkward and tongue-tied with a girl since high school.

  Still fanning herself, she swayed on her feet. “Could we sit in your truck to get out of the sun?”

  He noticed all her creamy, exposed, fair skin had turned pink. Much longer in the Texas sun and she’d be Habanera pepper red.

  He walked to the vehicles, and peered under them. While he didn’t see gas, he caught a whiff of fuel. After retrieving a faded A&M stadium blanket from his cab, he returned to Grace. “I smelled gas, so sitting in the truck’s out, but follow me.” He led her to a large Live Oak tree twenty feet from the road. Once there, he spread the worn blanket out in the shade. “Rest against the tree, and take it easy. You look ready to collapse.”

  “I bet you sweep women off their feet with sweet talk like that.”

  AJ bit his lip to keep from smiling at her plain-speaking. In the short time since they’d met, Grace kept him hopping, and damned he found the characteristic refreshing. Since AJ had arrived in Wishing, people put on a performance around him, showing him what they thought he wanted to see. No one wanted to get on the new chief’s bad side. But not Grace. Even after she’d learned who he was, she still spoke her mind, and didn’t care whether he liked it or not.

  “I was stating a fact. You’ve been in a car accident. You’re shaken. There’s no shame in that.”

  “Tact isn’t your strong suit, is it?” Grace settled against the trunk for support.

  Actually it was, especially with women, except for this one. He couldn’t count how many times a woman had said how comfortable she felt around him, how easy he was to talk to, how he really listened, and what an all-around great guy he was. Of course, those words usually preceded ones saying she wanted to remain friends.

  The buzz of a small single engine plane sounded overhead. He glanced skyward at the low winged plane, probably a Piper, and goose bumps raced over his arms. Shaking off the odd feeling, he glanced at Grace and asked, “Could it be you’re a touch out of sorts?”

  She tilted her head, peered at him, and tapped a neatly trimmed, light pink nail against her chin. “I can’t imagine why, except the company I worked for closed its doors, and finding a new job has been an exercise in futility.”

  He couldn’t mistake the sarcasm in her voice. “Yeah, interviewing’s about as much fun as having wisdom teeth removed.”

  “Or maybe it’s because I’ve been on the road for days, and last night I hardly got any sleep. The couple next door kept going at it all night like sex-starved energizer bunnies. For a while I thought I was in church, because that’s the only place I’ve heard so many appeals to the Lord.”

  AJ burst out laughing. He didn’t care who you were, that was damn funny.

  “At five I gave up on sleep and crawled in the car. Now I’m sitting here where it’s over ninety in the shade, with a headache rivaling Texas in size, and a cut on my forehead.” She swatted her arm. “The mosquitoes are eating me alive, and I’m whining. I hate women who whine.”

  “Admitting the problem is half the battle,” he teased.

  After glaring at AJ, Grace said, “I’m going to rest my eyes, and meditate in hopes of improving my attitude. You might want to give it a try.”

  Chapter Three

  Grace was a firecracker. AJ had to admit.

  I’m going to rest my eyes, and meditate in hopes of improving my attitude. You might want to give it a try.

  Her quick wit would keep a man on his toes, and challenge him at every turn, but life would never be boring.

  A couple minutes later when he looked her way, she’d fallen asleep propped against the tree. As he studied her, she started snoring, and not quiet feminine ones a man could sleep through, but rather the rattle-the-rafters-lumberjack type.

  She hadn’t been asleep long when police sirens blaring in the distance jolted her awake. AJ pinched the bridge of his nose knowing the sound meant Marjorie had sent Luke or Sawyer. Of the four officers in his department, only those two would see this accident as siren worthy. Each felt a desperate need to prove himself. Luke because he was straight out of college, and had his sights on bigger things. While Sawyer needed to prove he could get out from his daddy’s shadow.

  A few minutes later, when Luke joined them, he nodded at Grace, and asked for her driver’s license. As she retrieved her ID, AJ waited for Luke to issue him a similar request. When none came, he pulled out of his wallet, located his license, and held it out. The
officer waved him off. “I don’t need yours, Chief.”

  The kid should realize unless he treated both individuals in the accident the same, he opened himself and the department for potential legal problems including bias and a lack of objectivity.

  “We’re doing this by the book. Run both our information through the system,” AJ said.

  After a quiet yes sir, Luke left for the squad car. When he returned he gave AJ and Grace their licenses. “Ms. Henry, you checked out fine. No outstanding tickets or warrants.”

  For an instant AJ suspected relief flickered in Grace’s gaze. Had she expected a different result, or had he imagined her reaction?

  “Chief, tell me your side,” Luke said.

  Talk about needing a course in tact. AJ added the issue to his growing list to discuss with his rookie. “I know I’m your boss, but it’s ladies first.”

  His officer focused on Grace. “Have you been drinking this morning, or taking drugs, illicit or prescription, which could affect your reflexes or judgment?”

  AJ rubbed the back of his neck. That wasn’t what he had in mind with ladies first. Sure Luke had to ask the question, but there were ways to do so without making Grace feel as if she was about to be tossed in a lineup.

  “Absolutely not,” Grace snapped.

  Part of AJ wanted to grab control, and walk his officer through this, but doing that wasn’t the right plan. Harnessing his patience and ignoring his rising frustration, he viewed this as an assessment opportunity, a chance to see the young man in action to use later as a teaching tool.

  While AJ waited for Luke to ask him the drugs question, his officer pulled a small pad and pencil out of his pocket. His gaze still locked on Grace, he said, “As to the accident—”

  AJ coughed, cutting off the question. “Sorry about that, but since I’ve interrupted your train of thought I might as well answer the alcohol and drugs question. My answer is no as well.”

  Especially since Luke had no intention of asking it.

  After mumbling another yes, sir, pen poised and ready, Luke turned to Grace again. “Tell me what you think happened.”

  “There aren’t sides because your boss and I agree on what happened,” Grace said. “I saw AJ ahead of me in his truck slowing down for the stop sign. I pressed on my brakes, but I barely slowed. Because my brakes weren’t working right, I rear-ended his pickup. The end.” She smiled. “No pun intended.”

  “Yup, that’s it.” AJ glanced between his officer and Grace hoping Luke would realize they were seated while he towered over them, but the kid remained oblivious.

  “When Virgil arrives I’ll tell him to examine the brakes to verify that caused the accident. I’ll also have him double-check to ensure they weren’t tampered with.”

  Beside AJ, Grace attempted to cover her snicker with a cough, and when he turned toward her, she tossed him an I-told-you-so smirk.

  Leave it to Marjorie to send Luke, who would prove Grace’s point about the police making a federal case out of simple failed brakes. The officer’s ambition often outraced his brain. Luke was too busy thinking about where he wanted to be in three years, he wasn’t learning what he needed to today.

  Damn. Teaching a rookie cop basics he should already know wasn’t why he was here, but how could he ignore what needed to be done?

  “Had your brakes been working properly before today?”

  Grace nodded. “Other than being irritatingly noisy they were fine.”

  Without looking up, Luke jotted down additional notes. “Were you texting or talking on your cell phone at the time of the accident?”

  While nothing was wrong with the questions, Luke’s delivery needed work. From his clenched jaw and stern gaze, a person would think he was interrogating a murder suspect.

  “No, I wasn’t.” Grace straightened, her posture rigid.

  From her biting tone and the way she emphasized each word, AJ figured her patience had run out. Unfortunately, Luke remained more focused on his notes, and remained unaware to the brewing storm.

  Figuring he’d better mollify Grace before she broke Luke’s kneecaps, but not wanting to openly criticize the rookie, AJ said, “These are all standard questions we have to ask nowadays.”

  Grace nodded, and her posture relaxed. While her frustration had lessened, AJ’s spiked. He resisted the urge to massage the knot in his neck. Without the standard procedure explanation which Luke skipped, people became defensive, felt accused, and often shut down. The young officer needed to chat more, and investigate according to the book less. He’d obtain more information that way.

  “It’s also customary for us to check phone records to verify you weren’t on it at the time of the accident,” AJ added.

  “Good,” she replied as she relaxed against the tree.

  Then Luke launched into questions asking whether or not someone would tamper with her brakes. Was anyone holding a grudge? Had she upset anyone lately? Was she involved in any illegal activity?

  Grace chuckled. “I know this would be more exciting if it was more than simple failed brakes, but that’s all it is.”

  What about her ex’s legal issues? Rather than mention the detail to his overzealous and inexperienced subordinate, who was already spinning imaginative scenarios, AJ would check the situation out personally later.

  Luke jotted down facts in his notebook as the tow truck arrived, along with the fire truck and paramedics.

  “That covers it,” AJ said. Concerned for Grace, who’d started to wilt when Luke looked as if he’d object, AJ added, “Looks like the paramedics and Virgil have arrived. I need you supervising the scene and discussing the brake situation with Virgil.”

  The minute AJ mentioned supervising, his officer perked up, his eye alight with the thought of being in charge. “Can do, Chief.” He shoved his notebook and pen into Grace’s hand. “Ms. Henry, if you write down your contact information I’ll call with any additional questions.”

  Grace flashed AJ a feeble, but relieved smile. Yup, the morning was wearing on her. Her nose had swollen some, and the area around her eye had discolored more. Her shoulders rounded. Her chin dipped toward her chest.

  She’d barely finished scribbling her information and held out the notebook before Luke snatched the items back. Then he dashed off to join Virgil working to pry the vehicles apart.

  “Your officer’s imagination is already running amok.” Grace’s eyes alight with humor, she nodded toward Luke who stood beside Virgil, motioning toward Grace’s car. “I bet he’s spinning various outrageous situations to the tow truck guy, none of which have anything to do with my brakes failing.”

  “Yup, he’s probably looking for zebras instead of horses.” As the paramedics, gear in hand, walked toward them, AJ said, “Luke will make a great police officer, but this is his first job, and he’s got a ways to go.”

  Before she could respond the paramedics reached them. “Looks like it’s been a rough morning for you two,” Caleb McIntyre said as he set his gear down near AJ.

  “I’m fine. Ms. Henry had the rough morning.” AJ turned to Dalton, the younger paramedic beside Grace. “Make sure you check for a concussion. She was lucid and conscious when I reached her, but she may have been knocked out. I forgot to ask. She also fell asleep sitting here a while ago.”

  Grace rolled her eyes. “I’m still lucid and capable of answering—” She paused and glanced at the tall blond paramedic as if he’d ridden up on a white horse, rays of sunshine glinting off his blond hair. “What’s your name?”

  “Dalton, ma’am. Dalton Theriot.”

  “And I’m Grace.”

  AJ frowned as she smiled in an open and inviting way she hadn’t with him. When her focus returned to AJ, the smile vanished.

  She inclined her head toward him. “Despite what AJ said, I’m capable of answering your questions, and while I’m sure I don’t have a concussion, I bet it’s on your list of things to check.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Dalton replied, a strawberry flush
spreading up his neck.

  AJ bit his lip to keep from snickering. The poor guy. Women fell all over themselves where Dalton was concerned. The paramedic could reel women in without putting his bait in the water if he wasn’t painfully shy.

  “While Dalton’s seeing to Grace, I’m going to examine you,” Cal said.

  AJ nodded toward the compact sedan as he shrugged off the paramedic’s attempt to wrap a blood pressure cuff around his arm. “Look at the size of her car. I barely felt anything when her Matchbox car hit my pickup.”

  “Don’t give me grief, Chief. Let me do my job. The mayor will have my ass if I don’t. It doesn’t matter if you think you’re fine.”

  His officers calling him chief AJ understood, but nearly everyone else in town doing so grated on his nerves. No matter where he went, whether he was in uniform or not, on duty or off, no one except Ty and Cassie called him by his name. Since his arrival in Wishing, it was as if AJ had disappeared.

  Despite his annoyance, he held out his arm. The last thing he wanted to do was get Cal in trouble. As Cal checked AJ’s vitals, Dalton reached into his equipment bag to retrieve the items to clean Grace’s cut.

  “This might hurt a bit, and the cut’s going to start bleeding again, but I need to clean it to see how bad it is.”

  “I’m sure you’ll be as gentle as possible.” Then the blasted woman patted the paramedic’s arm.

  Dalton nodded as he pulled his arm out from under Grace’s and dabbed at her cut.

  Where had the major headache and weariness she claimed caused her orneriness with him gone? Apparently Dalton had the magic cure because now she was all sunshine and feminine giggles.

  “Your blood pressure’s a little high,” Caleb said.

  No kidding? AJ could’ve told the EMT that before he’d put on the cuff. It was a wonder he hadn’t pegged the meter. He’d be fine once he got away from a certain feisty brunette who kept yanking his chain.