Parker

by Maddie James

  That fact had been especially important when Jack was dying and she needed to fall back on Bekah as her escape from reality. She’d never discussed her personal life on her blog, or that Jack had cancer. Not once had she posted anything about her trials, tribulations, and daily struggles. Not that she didn’t think others could benefit from knowing what she was going through, but she simply needed to keep her private life private.

  And she needed for Bekah to project life in a perfect world—a world where things like cancer and death do not intrude. People needed positivity in their lives, and she strived to provide that—along with a temporary escape. She knew that because she craved it, too. Besides, Jack had insisted she not discuss their lives, and his illness, in public. No doubt it was the right decision.

  Things needed to change—Jack had been gone over six months now, and she was eager to introduce Montana as her new home. She also wanted to share beyond her virtual life and make the cabin and renovated kitchen known to her followers. She was ready for it to be real. Now was as good a time as any to make that transition.

  “I was surprised when you and Mercer said you followed her the other day,” she told Callie. Funny, but Reba often referred to Bekah in the third person, as if she really was a different woman. And in some ways, she was.

  “Are you kidding? She’s a rock star in the foodie blog world,” Callie replied. “I mean, you are a rock star in the blog world. Between your awards, your massive number of followers, and your Cottage Chats podcasts, plus the quality and frequency of your posts, you have this thing tied up in knots. I’m not surprised you landed a book deal.”

  “I was shocked when that happened,” Reba said. “I owe it all to my agent.”

  “And the other thing,” Callie added, “is your anonymity. That was brilliant. I don’t understand why you did it or how it came about, but it was good move on your part.”

  Reba sighed. “I suppose. At the time, it was a necessity. Nothing strategic about it. I can tell you more about that. Maybe later. When the book comes out though, the anonymity factor will likely be gone, and I have to prepare for that. There are book tours and talk of a television show. Of course, my agent wants the YouTube channel to go live very soon, but I’m thinking there will be a pause on that with this black eye thing…”

  “No doubt, but I have to say it is looking so much better today than last time I saw you.”

  Reba signed. “Oh good. Sometimes I can’t really tell…”

  “It is.” Callie snapped her fingers. “Reba, do you have a publicist?”

  Reba studied her new friend. She truly liked Callie McKenna and hoped their friendship would grow into something significant. “Actually, no, I don’t. My agent handles some small stuff, like an occasional press release, but she’s made it clear she is not a marketing person. I do everything I can, but I often wonder if it is enough. Do you know of someone?”

  Grinning, Callie said, “Well, hell yeah. Me! I worked several years for MediaBurst in New York. My area of specialty is social media marketing.” She stopped and bit her lip. “Reba, I’m not trying to horn my way in on a job, because I don’t even know if you are looking for someone, but I sure would love to take on some pro bono work for you—like I said Sunday, to keep my skills up.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “I’m flabbergasted, and the answer is yes!”

  “Awesome!” Callie rushed forward and gave Reba a hug.

  Reba pulled back. “But only on one condition. It’s only pro bono for so long, then we figure out how to pay you.”

  “Deal.”

  “Fantastic!”

  And Callie was ready to dig in. “So, how much time can you spend with me today? I need background information. I want to know your goals. What you have done so far. Do you have a marketing plan? You have a helluva digital footprint already and a huge platform upon which to build. Let’s talk about the anonymity thing, why it came about, and how we move forward revealing who you really are strategically….”

  Reba’s head was spinning, and Callie must have realized it when she stopped talking. “By the look on your face I think I just totally overwhelmed you.”

  Reba laughed. “Not at all, Callie. You are perfect, and in so many ways, you are just like me. Let’s go into the kitchen. I want to show you some things in process and we can talk more.” She hooked her arm into Callie’s and took a couple of steps. “Oh, but wait. I have an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon at two this afternoon. Mike Attaway called right before you arrived. I’ll need to watch the time and, well, I hate to impose, but I was going to see if someone could take me. Are you free?”

  Callie jumped in excitement. “Of course I am! I’ll drive you. More time to learn the Bekah’s Cottage story!”

  “Excellent. Let’s get to work.”

  ****

  Parker studied the unfamiliar vehicle coming up the lane. At the same time, his cell phone rang in his pocket and Murphy rounded the corner of the porch, heading in from the barn.

  “That would be Callie,” Murphy said. “I just told her to call you.”

  He glanced to Murphy and then to the device. Sure enough, Callie’s name flashed on the screen. He swiped to answer the call. “Callie?”

  “Oh good, Parker. I’m glad I caught you. Are you home?”

  Murphy stood waiting at his left, while the truck coming up the lane slowed and bumped over the first cattle guard. “Yes. For a moment. What do you need?”

  “I forgot that Murphy and I have an appointment with the wedding planner today, and I sort of promised Reba that I would take her to the doctor this afternoon, and…”

  “Callie, I have a shit-load of things to do…” The time was just past noon, and he had intended to head into Livingston during the hot part of the day to take care of some business at the bank and then with the insurance company, and there were bills at the hospital he needed to see about….

  “I know you are busy,” she said, “but Mike called Reba this morning and…”

  Parker bristled. “Mike called Reba?”

  “Yes. He made her an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon.”

  “He made the appointment?”

  “Well, I guess. He called her and told her where it was and what time he would meet her there, so…”

  Sonofabitch. “I will take her.”

  She squealed. “Oh, thanks! We are actually on our way. Be there in five, no probably more like three minutes. Tell Murphy. Bye!”

  He ended the call and took a moment to tamp down that green-eyed monster inside of him, and then he glanced at Murphy. “Wedding planner?”

  His ranch manager nodded. “We set the date. I didn’t think she’d want to do it this soon, with your father’s passing and all, but Callie insisted that we get married this summer so…”

  “So you weren’t going to let her change her mind.”

  Murphy grinned. “No, sir. The wedding is in August.”

  Parker grinned. Best news he’d heard in weeks. “Hot damn.” He grabbed up Murphy’s hand, shook it, and then bear-hugged him. “I’m happy, and Daddy would be too.”

  Murphy pursed his lips and nodded. “I’m pretty sure of that myself.” He glanced up. “Well, there is Callie’s SUV turning off the big road, and I guess we better see who else that is pulling up.”

  To hell with the other vehicle. Parker needed to get a grip before Reba got there. This thing with Mike was getting out of hand. He was going to have to do something about that and damned fast.

  ****

  Later that afternoon, Reba sat in the waiting room of the orthopedic surgeon’s office waiting for her appointment. The past couple of hours turned out to be a flurry of activity. Now the doctor was late.

  She glanced to Parker, sitting at her left. “I’m sorry this is taking so long. You can leave if you want, and I’ll call you when I’m finished. I don’t mind waiting on you while you run your errands.”

  Parker looked
at her, his stoic gaze playing over her face. “Thank you, but no. I’ll stay. Mike and I need to have a chat.”

  “Oh.” Reba glanced down to Parker’s hands resting on his thighs, and then she turned back to look at the television. “Are you mad at Mike?” she added.

  He shook his head. “Now why would you think that?”

  “Perhaps it’s the way you are flexing your fists and the fact that what you said just now seemed mighty forceful.”

  He stared. “I’m not mad.”

  She stared back. “Of course you’re not.”

  Small talk, Reba. Change the subject. “I’m glad the insurance adjuster came when he did. That was convenient.”

  Parker nodded. “Yep. One less thing for you to take care of now.”

  “Hopefully the wrecker will come while we are gone and finally get my SUV out of your way.”

  “It’s not in my way.”

  “Well, the truck needs to be moved. I just need to get this resolved, insurance and all. I can’t keep relying on your family for transportation.”

  Parker stared ahead, nodding again. “I have no problem helping you out.”

  Oh really? Then why does this feel like a major inconvenience?

  He had barely spoken to her on the trip in. Like his mind was elsewhere, focused on something deep and consuming. Either she had misread him days ago, when he was kissing the heck out of her in the cab of this truck, or he was truly the strong, silent type. Thing was he wasn’t pulling it off so well. She didn’t find it the least bit attractive.

  Much.

  Kissing him. Those moments had been heavenly. And she had reveled in the touch of his lips against hers, the searing brand of heat he left on her mouth. She had relived that scene repeatedly the past couple of days.

  Did Parker McKenna have feelings for her? Or was he just reacting to a crying woman, trying to calm her sobbing fit? That’s a pretty good way to shut up a crying woman, by silencing her with a thousand kisses.

  She didn’t care what was behind the kisses—because they were enjoyable. Pleasant. And heck, they were just kisses right? No need to go attaching any kind of emotion to them.

  Becoming emotionally attached to anyone right now was not in her plan. She made a mental note to remind herself of that fact, daily.

  Her gaze dropped to his hands again, and she watched him fold and unfold a tiny piece of paper. Nervous? She had no clue what the paper was or where it came from. Maybe a receipt.

  His left knee was shaking.

  She frowned. “Are you okay, Parker?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “You seem preoccupied.”

  He looked at her. “Sorry. Just things on my mind.”

  He just lost his father, stupid! “Of course. You’ve had a long week, and I’m sure I am keeping you from doing other things. Goodness, Parker, I’m sorry to be such a darned inconvenience.”

  His face softened then. “No, Reba. It’s my fault. I’m just—”

  “Reba?”

  The man’s voice came from the door. Reba twisted in her seat and then stood. “Oh, hello, Dr. Attaway.”

  “Please call me Mike.” He rushed forward, grinning.

  Beside her, Parker stood, suddenly more interested in what was going on around him. “Mike,” he said and cocked his head a little.

  Reba noticed his voice was low and a little gruff. Mr. Personable was back full force.

  Mike bounced an eager smile from Parker to Reba. “Hey, Parker. It’s good to see you again, Reba.” He put out his hand, and Reba took it. He gripped and held her hand tight, not letting go. She was surprised at his soft, smooth skin. A doctor’s hand. She’d sure shaken enough of those over the past few years.

  Mike continued, “I’m glad I could get away from my office in time to introduce you to Dr. Cooper. He’s the best bone man in the area.”

  Smiling, Reba said, “Thank you.” Then she turned to Parker. “And thank you, Parker, for making sure that I got the best medical care here with Dr. Attaway. I surely do appreciate it.”

  “Even though I had to drag you kicking and screaming…” he muttered, and then added, “Mike, I’d like a word with you.”

  Reba narrowed her gaze at Parker. What was this about?

  “Of course,” Mike said, “but let’s get Reba in to see Coop first.” He looked her square in the eyes then and held her gaze. Almost too long. So long she felt the heat of Parker’s stare on the side of her face. Mike continued, “I mean Dr. Cooper. We’ve known each other since med school.”

  Grinning broadly now, Mike skipped a glance Parker’s way, tugged Reba’s hand closer to his body, and tucked it into his elbow. Clearly, Mike Attaway focused solely on her.

  See what being attentive can get you, Mr. Personable?

  Even though she was a little confused at the doctor’s actions—why was he showering all of this attention on her?—there was no denying Mike was kind-hearted, polite, and well mannered.

  She looked at Parker, who stood stone-faced silent and brooding beside her.

  “This way, Reba.” Mike led her away. Suddenly she felt a little weird about the whole exchange.

  Parker’s indifference. Mike’s rapt enthusiasm.

  Glancing back as she reached the door, Reba took one more look at Parker, who was standing there, watching them go—watching with a deep, puzzled scowl on his face.

  Chapter Nine

  He waited.

  And the longer he waited, the more irritated Parker became. When he couldn’t sit still, he paced the small visitor’s area, pretty sure he was driving the other people there insane.

  In addition to himself.

  He sat.

  Stood.

  Sat again. Watched the door.

  He was as nervous as a whore in church, as his dad used to say. Then he stopped abruptly, thinking about his father, and how he’d never hear him say anything like that again. Never hear his voice. Never get the fatherly advice or experience his booming laughter.

  He wished Reba had met him. Even if just briefly. What would his father have thought of her?

  He would have liked her. A lot.

  Sitting again now, he watched the door where Reba had left with Mike. He exhaled, wondering why in the hell he was so bent out of shape where Mike was concerned.

  Because you like her, cowboy. You like her a lot. And he’s competition.

  The door cracked open, and voices filtered through from the hallway. Laughter. Reba’s giggle mingled with Mike’s deep voice. The door fully opened and they stepped through, Reba with her splint gone now and looking mighty sexy in that pair of big, dark sunglasses.

  He’d wanted to tell her that earlier—how cute and sexy she looked in them, with her long reddish hair fanning about and framing her pale and slightly freckled face—but he couldn’t find the words then.

  She was getting to him, and—

  He stood as Mike put a hand to the small of Reba’s back, leaned in and whispered something in her ear, and led her into the room. Parker cleared his throat and in three long strides crossed the room to take his place at Reba’s side.

  He looked at Mike. “I’ll take it from here. Thanks, Mike. Ready to go, Reba?”

  Reba rotated to meet Parker’s gaze and nodded. Her eyes were twinkling. Had Mike put that twinkle there? They weren’t like that earlier in the truck.

  Well, he was going to have to do something about that.

  She said, “Yes, I’m ready. I know you have things to do, Parker. I’m sorry to have kept you waiting for so long.”

  He tipped his head. “Not a problem, Reba.”

  She turned to Mike and laid a hand on his forearm. “Thanks, Mike, for everything.”

  Mike grinned and patted her hand. Parker resisted rolling his eyes. Then Mike added, “Talk to you soon. I have your number.”

  Parker watched Reba grin back and the way-too-long gaze that Mike held between them. Sonofabitch! He had already asked her out.

  Anger pushed up inside him an
d settled in the back of this throat. Tight. Not so much at Mike—well, a little bit—but mostly at himself for having dragged his feet with Reba the past few days. Well, he wasn’t going to drag them any longer.

  He took her by the elbow—her good one—and led her the hell away from Mike Attaway.

  ****

  Parker escorted her to his truck.

  He rushed her out of the doctor’s office, through the outer lobby, and into the parking lot with one hand on her elbow, and another at her back. Good thing Dr. Cooper had gotten rid of the splint. Parker unlocked and opened the passenger-side door of his truck and gave her a hand up into the cab of the four-wheel-drive vehicle. Before closing the door, he said, “Wait here. I will be right back.”

  Wait here? Where else?

  Reba wasn’t going to let him get off with that kind of behavior. “Parker McKenna. What in the hell is going on with you?”

  The door stopped short, in mid-closure. “What?”

  Reba angled back to face him. “Why in the world are you so damn business-like and rude! What did I do? I know I’ve been a pain in the ass and you’ve had to cart me everywhere the past few days, and I’m really sorry about that, but you are acting like an ass!”

  The look on the man’s face was something akin to oh shit and the proverbial deer-caught-in-the-headlight. “An ass?”

  “Yes! You are gruff and emotionless and very…ass-like!”

  His mouth opened, closed. Then opened again. His head did a quick shake. “I’m sorry, Reba. Let me explain in a minute. Right now I need to—”

  “There’s Mike.” She looked past Parker’s shoulder. “Looks like he wants one of us.”

  “I’m pretty damned sure of that,” he hissed.

  “What? Parker, you are making no sense.”

  “I’m making perfect sense.” He angled her legs back into the cab. “Now wait here and we’ll talk in a few minutes. I promise.” He placed a forefinger on her lips, silencing her. “We are going to talk about this.”