“That okay with you?” Lance asked hopefully. He’d been trying to get Lucas on board to stick around the ranch and help him run the operation. But there was one problem with that. No one else wanted him around. The McGowen Ranch had been his safety net. It’d provided him the chance to start over. And if he came back to Topaz Falls for good, he’d go right back to being the kid convicted of arson. But he couldn’t worry about that now. His brother needed him. He shrugged off Lance’s concern.
“I’ll figure it out. I can handle Bill McGowen.”
If only he felt as confident as he sounded.
* * *
The only thing worse than having his truck vandalized was having Officer Dev Jenkins show up to see the mess.
Lucas liked Dev all right, but he hadn’t seen much of him in ten years. Back in high school they’d raised all kinds of hell together, which may have been what inspired Dev to become an officer of the law. He’d always been a hell of a guy—honest, hardworking, loyal. If Lucas would’ve stuck around, they likely would’ve still been friends. But while Dev worked his way up the ranks and became a town hero, Lucas had become the town’s shame, the wayward son who’d gone and stained his family’s good name. In everyone else’s eyes they’d taken two starkly different paths. And even though Dev never brought it up, it still simmered between them.
“Did you have to call him?” Lucas asked Lance. They were both leaning against the left fender of his damaged truck watching as the patrol car swerved around the long curve from the east. After the meeting with Jones, Lucas told his brother what had happened to his truck. Next thing he knew, Lance was on the phone demanding that Dev come check out the “crime scene.” Lucas had planned to go into town and buy some new tires, then hitch a ride out to change them himself. That’d teach him to mention anything to his brother.
“Some punk ass kid vandalized your car,” Lance muttered, as ticked as if it’d been his own. “Last I checked that’s a misdemeanor.”
Lance would know. He’d done plenty of vandalizing back in the day.
“Dev can figure this out. Give the little shit a good scare. Then they’ll let you be.”
“They’re not gonna let me be.” Lucas lifted his hand in a wave as Dev pulled up behind the truck. “And what makes you think it was a kid?” It could’ve been anyone in town. Marshal Dobbins still hated him. His dad had been the rodeo commissioner, and after the fire he’d been out of a job. Then he’d left Topaz Falls and his family behind, headed for greener pastures in California. Even if it wasn’t Dobbins, there was a whole list of others who’d made a career out of holding a grudge. Hell, just last week old Mrs. Eckles—who’d earned a reputation for being the sweetest woman in town—crossed the street so she wouldn’t have to walk past him. He’d seen her cross back over once she’d cleared the bakery.
“No one but a kid would mess with you,” Lance insisted.
“Yeah, well, Dev won’t find anything. I’ve already looked.” There was no evidence left behind. No empty spray paint cans, no knife blade. Not even a damn footprint. Whoever had jacked up his truck had done it right. It’d been planned.
“Mornin’.” Dev pushed open the door to his patrol car and took his time sauntering over to the truck. He hadn’t changed much since he’d played defensive tackle for the Topaz High School Miners back in the day. Still big and brawny. Dark, clipped hair and a broad jaw that put Hercules to shame. Looking at him, most would mistake the man for a big dumb oaf, but before he’d come back to keep the streets of Topaz Falls safe, he’d gone to CU and graduated in the top ten percent of his class.
That’s where Lucas was supposed to have gone, too. They’d planned to room together. Instead he’d roomed with a bunch of thugs who found themselves behind bars for assault, grand larceny, and drug-related offenses. Not that he was complaining. It could’ve been a hell of a lot worse.
“Thanks for coming, Dev.” Lance caught the man’s beefy hand in a firm shake while Lucas simply gave him a nod. He was pretty sure this was a waste of all of their time.
“So you got any idea who would’ve come after you?” Dev asked, walking the length of the truck as he sized up the damage.
“Mrs. Eckles?” Lucas joked.
Dev cracked a grin. “Woman sure can hold a grudge.” He eyed the sagging tires on the truck. “But I’d doubt she owns a high-quality switchblade.”
“What about Shane and Carter?” Lance suggested. “Those two are always doing stupid shit.”
“The Werner boys?” Dev shook his head. “Nah. They’ve straightened up since I let ’em spend a night in jail for trespassing on the Blairs’ farm.” He aimed a curious gaze at Lucas. “Have you gotten any threats? Had any confrontations?”
“Nope. Plenty of dirty looks and a couple offhand comments at the bar. Nothing serious, though.”
“This is pretty damn serious, if you ask me,” his brother said.
Dev took a knee and looked underneath the truck. “Whoever did it was careful. Didn’t want to get caught.” He heaved himself back to his feet. “I’ll check into it. Ask around.”
“That’s it?” Lance demanded, following him to the rear of the truck.
“Thanks, Dev,” Lucas cut in before his brother made a complete ass out of himself. Of course that was it. What’d Lance expect him to do? Dust for fingerprints? This wasn’t a murder scene.
“No problem.” Dev ignored Lance and faced Lucas. “I’m sure this won’t be the last of it, so pay attention. Got it? Let me know if anything seems off.”
“Will do,” he promised, shaking the man’s hand. “But I’ll only be in town for a few more weeks, so not sure there’s anything to worry about.”
His old friend tilted his head with a stern look. “Gonna let ’em run you out of here again, huh?”
“That’s exactly what he’s doing,” Lance growled.
Lucas glared back at his brother. “Doesn’t count as getting run off if you want to go.” At least he’d thought he wanted to go. Then Naomi had gone and nearly taken him out with her car. Now he wasn’t so sure.
“You shouldn’t let them get to you, Cortez.” Dev started to lumber back to his patrol car. “It’s been good having you back. And whoever these bastards are…they’ll get over it.”
“Thanks.” It was good to know not everyone in town hated him. Having the law on his side was something, he guessed.
Dev slid into his car. “I’ll call out a tow truck for you. Get you all fixed up. Let me know if you need anything else.”
How about an idea for how to win over the woman he’d lost ten years ago? Unfortunately, Dev didn’t seem any more adept in the relationship department than he was, seeing as how they were both bachelors nearing thirty. “Hopefully I won’t need you again, but thanks.”
With a wave, Dev turned onto the highway.
“You don’t have to go back to McGowen’s, you know,” Lance said as they walked to his truck.
“Not this again.” They’d had the same conversation at least thirty times since he’d been home, but his argument had started to weaken.
“Your family’s here. Dad’s here.” Lance leveled him with a smug look. “Naomi’s here.”
“I can come back and visit,” he said, avoiding the Naomi issue completely. He couldn’t let himself go there. If her distance in the car yesterday was any indication, she wanted him to go back to Pueblo. As soon as possible. Maybe she held his past against him, too. Which brought him back to his point. “Would you want to stay someplace you weren’t wanted?”
“No,” Lance said grudgingly. “I don’t know. Maybe. If I had the right motivation.”
“Sure. If I had the right motivation, maybe I’d stay.” But his brother had no idea what it was like for him here. Lance was the superstar who’d followed in their dad’s footsteps. Last year may have been rocky for him, but after he’d won Worlds, everyone had forgotten about his struggles. Now he was getting married to the woman of his dreams. A woman everyone in town seemed to love. And acco
rding to their estimations his older brother deserved all of it, while Lucas deserved to suffer the consequences of his mistakes forever.
“What if you could do something to change everyone’s mind?” His brother got the same thoughtful look that took over his features whenever he was generating a plan.
He laughed. Lance made it sound so easy. “What’d you have in mind? Hang out on Main Street and help Mrs. Eckles carry her groceries across the street? Become a Boy Scout?” That ship had sailed a long time ago.
“No.” Lance straightened, taking on that authoritative older brother stance. The man had never known when to quit. “You could volunteer. Do something to help out the town. I heard they’re gonna start some fire mitigation work over on Topaz Mountain. It’s been so dry this spring they’re worried one bolt of lightning will torch the whole thing.”
“And you really think me cutting down some dead trees is gonna win people over?” He was impressed. He’d never thought of his brother as an optimist, but every once in a while Lance surprised him.
“I think it’s a start.”
“And what if I can’t earn my way back into their good graces?” A familiar bitterness slithered through the words. “Why should I even have to earn my way back in?” He’d spent three years in prison. Wasn’t that enough?
“You should do it for Naomi.”
Those simple words cut through him, bleeding out the excuses, the pride, the desire to run. Lance knew his weakness. Knew he’d do anything for her. “Naomi’s not interested,” he said, hating the gruff tenor of the words. “She’s made it pretty clear.”
His brother’s humorless laugh mocked him. “You really are as clueless as Jessa says you are.”
“I don’t need this.” Lance might be older, but Lucas didn’t have to listen to him. He went to walk around the truck but Lance grabbed his shoulder and turned him around. “If the town wasn’t an issue—if people left you alone and didn’t treat you like a criminal—would you stay? Would you want a life with Naomi?”
Yes. He couldn’t even say it because it was impossible. He didn’t have to say it. His brother had always been able to read him the way Lucas read the river when he was fishing.
“Maybe they’ll never forgive you. Maybe you’ll work your ass off volunteering and subjecting yourself to public humiliation for nothing.” Lance leaned in. “But maybe—maybe—it would be worth it. Maybe if you stood your ground and went after what you really wanted, something would change.”
For the last ten years of his life, Lucas hadn’t entertained any maybes. He hadn’t had that luxury. He’d had to go with the guarantees. The guarantee for money. For food. For a roof. For the necessities. He hadn’t exactly lost hope, but it hadn’t been something he’d held onto, either.
“You have nothing to lose,” his brother said emphatically, as though offering his closing argument. “If it doesn’t work you go back to the McGowen place. But if it does…”
He trailed off, and Lucas filled in the blanks. If it did work, if he won the town over, he could stay. He could work with his brother on the family ranch.
Not only that. He could also make it a hell of a lot harder for Naomi to ignore him.
Chapter Four
How’s it going in there?” Naomi stood outside the small closet that acted as a dressing room in Gracie’s classroom. Her daughter—excuse her—the fairy godmother star had been holed up in there for a good ten minutes perfecting her look for the big show tonight. Which started in…Naomi checked her watch…fifteen minutes. “The show’s going to start soon, honey,” she called through the door. Wouldn’t do for the fairy godmother to float in late.
After some shuffling, Gracie emerged, dressed in her blue costume, her reddish hair piled on top of her head, complete with a sparkling tiara. “Well, Mom…how do I look?” she asked nervously.
Too grown-up. And Mom? Since when had she called her Mom instead of Mommy? Naomi looked her daughter over, taking in the glimmering turquoise eye shadow and the gloss that made her lips shimmer. God, how was she ten already? It was crazy how the years flew by. It seemed like just last week Gracie had been spinning around on stage in her tiny little tutu. Now they only had eight more years together before Gracie would head off to college.
“You look so pretty, honey,” she murmured quietly, fearing Gracie might hear the quiver of emotion in her voice. “You’re going to be amazing tonight.”
“I don’t know about that, but at least I’ll look amazing.” Gracie threw her arms around Naomi. “Thanks for making me this awesome costume.” She leaned in closer. “I think it’s even prettier than Cinderella’s,” she whispered, her eyes twinkling.
Naomi hugged her back. “You’re my princess, you know that?”
“Of course I do.” Gracie pulled away and looked around quickly, as though worried that some of the other girls might have seen their little display of affection. But most of the girls had already left the room to go backstage.
“Come on, Gracie girl,” Naomi said, tugging on her hand. “One more picture, then I’ll walk you to the gym.”
Her daughter rolled those spry green eyes but a smile broke through. She posed with both hands clasped under her chin, which only proved she loved the spotlight and all of this attention.
“No more pictures until I’m on stage,” Gracie instructed, leading her mother out the door. “And don’t call me ‘Gracie girl’ in front of my friends,” she whispered. “I do have a reputation to think about.”
Despite the maternal tug at her heart, Naomi laughed. “Yes, ma’am,” she said with a salute.
They paraded down the hall, Gracie a good foot in front of her, nearly skipping in anticipation of her stage debut. Naomi remembered being like that once. Confident. Full of assurances that she could do anything, including standing on a stage reciting lines in front of a whole roomful of people. What had happened to that girl? The fun-loving spontaneous girl who’d once skinny-dipped with Lucas in a high mountain lake?
“Hey look!” Gracie broke into a jog. “There’s Lucas!”
Naomi stopped, her eyes searching down the hall where her daughter had pointed. Sure enough, there he stood, just outside the gym doors, dressed in dark jeans and a black button-down shirt, holding his cowboy hat in front of his waist respectfully.
Her heart took a dive. One look at him and she was going down in flames. Her hand instantly rose to smooth her hair into place, like it always had when she’d seen him around the halls in high school. Not that he looked the same as he did back then. He’d always been good-looking, but when they’d dated he’d had that appealing boyish look. Nowadays he went way past appealing to downright arousing. His complexion had darkened from the years of outdoor work, and his eyes had a deeper tint, a hint that he’d become far more experienced in life. To top it off, he carried himself like a man who knew what he wanted.
“Lucas! Hey, Lucas!” Gracie beelined down the hall, and Naomi had no choice but to follow her right to the man she’d spent so much time avoiding.
When she finally caught up, the roar of her heart stole her breath.
Lucas had knelt in front of Gracie and was handing her a single yellow rose. “Good luck tonight,” he said. “If that bit in the car was any indication, you’re gonna knock ’em dead.”
“Thank you!” Gracie squealed, smooshing the rose against her nose and inhaling deeply. “No one’s ever given me a flower before!” She held it up to Naomi. “Look, Mom! Yellow’s my favorite color!”
“I know.” She smiled down at her daughter, though her heartbeat came in painful hard thumps.
“Oh! I have to go!” Gracie tore away from the two of them, headed for the cafeteria. “Bye, Mom! Bye, Lucas! I’ll see you after the show!”
Before she could even give her daughter a good luck kiss, Gracie had disappeared into the sea of horses and mice and pumpkins who were all streaming into the cafeteria.
“She’s incredible,” Lucas said, gazing after her. “I can’t believe how much s
he reminds me of you.”
And she couldn’t believe how the simple act of standing close to him brought her body to life. Blood surged, flooding her with a tingling heat she hadn’t experienced in so long…
“The rest of the crew’s already inside,” he went on when she didn’t say anything. “They’re saving seats. I wanted to make sure I saw her before.” He shoved his calloused hands into the pockets of his jeans just like he had back in high school when he was nervous.
She wasn’t nervous. She was downright spooked. But she did her best to snap out of it. She couldn’t stand here mute, staring at the old love of her life as though trying to erase the years that had put distance between them. She had to say something. Anything…
“Thanks for bringing her a rose,” she managed. “That was thoughtful.”
His gaze darted sideways in that bashful way. “Jessa said she loved yellow,” he admitted. “I’m glad she—”
“Excuse me.” Eleanor Bradley, the principal of Topaz Falls Elementary, cut in to the conversation. Though she was short and stocky, she had the power to make a sixth-grade boy cry with just one look. She cast her sternest glare at Lucas. “What are you doing here?” she asked in a clipped tone.
His jaw fell open. So did Naomi’s, for that matter. Eleanor might be strict, but she’d never seen her act so…rude.
Lucas didn’t seem to know what to say so she stepped in. “We invited him,” Naomi said just as sternly. “He’s here to watch Gracie in the play.”
“I see.” Mrs. Bradley lifted her chin, almost like she wished she could look down at him. “As long as you’re here with someone, then,” she muttered before quickly retreating down the hall, shaking her head the whole way.
Naomi’s face flamed with embarrassment on behalf of the principal. “I have no idea what’s gotten into her. She must be stressed out about the play.”
“That’s not it,” Lucas said drily. “Trust me. I get that a few times a week. Pretty much whenever I show up in town.”
Comeback Cowboy Page 4