Texas Wildcat

by Lindsay McKenna

  Sam ran his hand down her bare arm. “Care to tell me about it?”

  Her lips set in a grim line. “Wallace would deliberately come over to my father’s regional office, which I managed, to make Todd envious. He tried to get Todd to think we were having an affair!” Her voice shook with disgust.

  “Were you?”

  “I’m not sure that even deserves an answer!”

  “You get angry in a hurry, woman.”

  She allowed herself to be mollified by his teasing tone. “The answer is no. He’s a slick businessman, Sam. His morals are worse than a snake’s. Sure, his steel company is one of the few in the United States making big profits. But I’d hate to tell you how he gets those profits!”

  “Other than the tie with your ex-husband, what does Wallace have to do with you now?”

  Kelly pushed the hair away from her face in a gesture of annoyance. “The second time he visited, when you came in to tell me about the blowout, Gage had the audacity to suggest I marry him.” She looked up at the ceiling in furious silence.

  “Why did he suggest that?”

  “He said Blanchard Pipe’s image had suffered in the marketplace. Our credibility was damaged beyond repair because of the pipe failures we had. He sweetly suggested that he buy into my father’s company to salvage it and then marry me too. Convenient, isn’t it?”

  Sam’s brows furrowed. “Yes,” he murmured, trying to make sense of Wallace’s activities. He caught Kelly’s indignant look. “Well, are you going to sell him shares or marry him?” he goaded, a hint of mirth in his voice.

  Kelly glared at him. “Sometimes, Sam Tyler, I think you get immense pleasure out of teasing me unmercifully,” she declared between clenched teeth.

  His grin widened. “You’re so easy to tease. You’re like fifty pounds of dynamite ready to go off on a second’s notice.”

  Smiling, Kelly reached over and placed her slender hand on his shoulder. Each time she touched him, a pang of longing went through her. “The answer is no to both your questions.”

  “I expected as much.”

  “Oh, stop being so arrogant!”

  “You wouldn’t have it any other way, Kelly Blanchard. Now quit spitting and clawing for two seconds and come here.”

  This time, he kissed her deeply, stroking the fires within her. Satisfied, Sam raised his head. There was a tender light in his eyes as he watched her. “Listen,” he began huskily. “Today you stay in the shack and rest. You’re not well yet. I’ll have someone go over to the gauges and read them for you. No more sun for you, woman. Not until I say so. Understand?”

  Kelly’s breathing was shallow, her heart was beating wildly in her breast, and her body ached to fulfill the needs that Sam had effortlessly coaxed to life within her. “Yes,” she whispered, “I’ll stay here today.”

  Giving an approving nod of his head, Sam stood and then placed the thin blanket across her. “Good. I’ll be back over here in a few hours to check on you.”

  * * *

  She slept again after Sam had left. The next time she awoke, it was almost noon. After changing into her white coveralls, Kelly padded out into the main area of the porta-camp. She looked out the window and saw that they were beginning to position the heavily wrapped blowout preventer over the roaring flame. Forgetting that she was both hungry and thirsty, Kelly stood mesmerized by the spectacle.

  Sam directed the bulldozer that was pushing the unmanned athey wagon forward. At the stake, they halted the bulldozer. Five water monitors continuously spewed thousands of gallons of water upon the flame. Kelly tensed as the crane hook carrying the preventer was nudged into the roaring fire. Flames exploded in all directions as the massive apparatus hung over the blowout. The men’s actions were smooth and carefully calculated as Sam positioned the crane at just the right angle.

  Kelly had no idea how Sam could know exactly where to place the preventer. But when Sam gave the final hand signal, Kelly watched in amazement as the blowout preventer slid over the pipe. The raging fire now shot out the top of it. Taking a deep, shaky breath, Kelly realized the worst was over. All that remained to be done now was welding the preventer to the pipe. After that, they would begin to control the blowout by capping the main fire and redirecting it into the smaller pipes located on each side of the preventer. At no time would they allow the flame to be extinguished. If they did, the H2S gas would kill everyone working at the wellhead.

  It was almost three in the afternoon before Sam managed to get away from the welding job on the pipe. Kelly’s heart pounded when he entered the trailer. Taking off his hardhat, Sam cast a look in her direction.

  “How are you feeling?” he asked.

  Kelly had never realized just how brutally demanding the job of an oil well firefighter was until now. Sam’s face was glistening with sweat, his dark hair plastered to his skull, the coveralls clinging to his muscled body. “Better. You were right. I needed to rest today.”

  He opened the small refrigerator, digging out several pieces of fresh meat and the leftover stew from the day before. “Can I get that in writing? Kelly Blanchard admitting that maybe someone besides herself has a good idea?”

  Kelly laughed with him. “Here, I’ll fry the meat.” She looked at it more closely. “What kind of meat is that?”

  Sam handed it to her. “Goat.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Oh.”

  He left her to the kitchen duties and sat down at the table, where he drank nearly a quart of water. “Damn, what I’d do for a cold beer.”

  “I noticed the absence of liquor around here,” Kelly observed.

  “Yeah, it’s against the Moslem laws to consume liquor. If you get caught, it’s a jail sentence. And if you can get it on the black market, it costs around eighty American dollars for a quart of whiskey.” He shrugged. “I’ll just be damned happy to wrap this particular well up and get back to Texas,” he said good-naturedly. He sat back, watching her work over the old, dilapidated gas stove. Kelly had piled her thick mane of hair high on her head with feminine-looking pink combs. Tendrils had escaped to fall around her face, giving her an ethereal look. Sam watched her worriedly. Her peach-colored skin was almost transparent and he couldn’t ignore the shadows beneath her emerald eyes.

  “Boots and Coots don’t anticipate any trouble with the pipe, Kelly. Colly’s bringing up the gauge readings in a while.” He toyed with the salt shaker on the table, choosing his words carefully. “You know, in another three days at the most, we’ll be finished here.”

  Kelly fried the goat steaks as if they were beef steak. The odor was different, but not unappetizing. “That’s good,” she commented, smiling. “I’m dreaming of a hot bath.”

  “You could have it earlier, you know….”

  She gave a stubborn shake of her head. “I’m going to stick it out, Sam.”

  His mouth became a grim line and he withheld a few well-chosen expletives. In no time Kelly had finished cooking the goat meat and made him a fresh pot of coffee.

  Kelly sat opposite him, happy despite the stark surroundings. Had she ever enjoyed Todd’s company like this? No, a voice answered. There was something pleasurable in watching Sam wolf down the food. He enjoys life, she thought. Just like he enjoys me. She frowned, suddenly feeling alarm. The love she felt for Sam was all-consuming. She craved his company, treasured the time simply spent conversing with him. But did he need her as a bed partner only? Was that all he wanted from her? Or did he want something more? She wished with all her heart that she could remember those fragmented days of delirium in the hospital at Abu Dhabi. Had he said he loved her? Or was it simply her drugged brain making it all up?

  She stole a look up at him only to discover he was watching her. A blush stained her cheeks.

  “Do you always stare?” she challenged.

  “When something’s worth staring at, yes.”

  “Well…” she muttered, “it’s embarrassing.”

  A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Your ex-h
usband was a fool,” Sam decided. “No man in his right mind would ever leave you.”

  Nervously, Kelly entwined her fingers. “Most men don’t feel the way you do, Sam. Thank you for the compliment anyway. It does my sagging ego good.”

  Sam rose to his feet. “Like I said, I’ll be glad when we get back to Houston,” he repeated enigmatically.

  Kelly gazed up at him, her lips slightly parted. “Sam…I need to know something.”

  He halted. “Sure. Anything.”

  Kelly swallowed hard. “That confrontation with Gage last time. From the look on your face you knew him….”

  Sam grimaced. “Unfortunately, yes, Kelly. After Fay divorced me, she met Wallace. He strung her along and she ended up getting hurt by him. Fay comes from a very rich oil family and Wallace courted her with an ulterior motive.” His eyes narrowed in memory of those times. “She was vulnerable and hurting. Wallace walked right in and after five dates with her, professed he loved her.” He spat out the words. “The bastard would have married her to get to her money. It was as simple as that.”

  Kelly chewed on her lower lip. Sam didn’t believe in overnight love…and that was all that they shared. A new sense of despair washed over her and she tried to hide the hurt beginning to ache within her. “What did you do?” she asked faintly.

  “I was finally able to talk some sense into Fay. Wallace had gone so far as to buy an engagement ring for her. I gave him some ultimatums that he didn’t appreciate. Since then, we’re like two pit bulls around one another. He knows I’d take great pleasure in beating the hell out of him.”

  * * *

  Kelly remained in the trailer throughout the next three days, going out into the desert to read the gauges on the water monitors only when necessary. Soon, the blowout preventer was welded to the pipe and the fire was rerouted through the arms. Smaller flames roared out across the desert away from the main area. Kelly watched with mixed feelings as the H2S gas was harnessed and capped. The desert suddenly grew silent. The men of Boots and Coots tiredly looked at one another. Coots Matthews gave new orders and soon the reloading of their equipment was begun. By the evening of the next day, they would all be back in Houston. Kelly’s green eyes were shadowed with regret and anguish.

  Had her brief affair with Sam been only that? He had made no attempt to sleep with her again since the first evening when she had had nightmares. Of course, that was understandable in the present circumstances, she told herself. There was no privacy in the shack. But he rarely touched her now and never kissed her. A growing coldness in the pit of her stomach made her feel nauseous. She would get back to Houston and take up the management of her father’s company. Blanchard Pipe had stood the test. All that remained was for her office manager to bring her the lab’s test results to find out why that one order of pipe had failed out in the field. Kelly turned away from the window, feeling depressed. She should feel excited about gong home, but she didn’t. Her heart was aching with a loss she knew would come very shortly. Closing her eyes, Kelly pressed her hand against her chest. What a fool she had been, falling so artlessly in love with Sam Tyler! At her age, blind love was the result of sheer stupidity, not ignorance. And yet, she could feel no regret for her actions, because Sam had shown her that she was worthy of a man’s attention. He had shown her she was a woman with a capacity for feeling that even she had not suspected.

  Ten

  “You aren’t going to like what I have to show you, Kelly,” Jake warned. He watched her walk across the office, remaining silent until she seated herself. She appeared wan and drawn. It left him feeling guilty about discussing the information from the lab analysis.

  Kelly forced a slight smile. She should have taken another day off after her return to Houston. But she couldn’t bear to remain at home with the pain of her memories.

  During those last twenty-four hours with Sam, time had been at a premium. In the C-130 cargo plane she had slept in his arms. Each touch of his hands on her body was indelibly branded into her memory. When they finally reached Houston International, Sam had pulled her aside before the flurry of activity commenced.

  “Go on home, Kelly,” he ordered, his eyes broadcasting his concern.

  She stared up into his strong face which was lined with exhaustion. “What about you?” she demanded.

  He gave her a slight smile. “We’ll have at least four hours of unloading to do here before any of us can crash. Kelly, I want to—”

  “Hey, Sam!” Boots yelled.

  Sam lifted his head. “What now?” he growled, releasing her. “Stay here, I’ll be right back,” he told her.

  She had stood, arms wrapped around herself, suddenly chilled even though the temperature was in the high eighties. In comparison to Rub al Khali Desert, eighty was cool! She watched as Sam talked with Boots and Coots for several minutes, then broke free and walked toward her.

  His face was set, an unhappy expression in his eyes. He gripped her arms when he reached her. “Bad news,” he said. “We’ve just got a call to go down to Venezuela. They got an offshore platform that’s on fire and they want us to put it out. Damn.” He studied her intently. “Will you be all right, Kelly?”

  The worry in his voice made her heart turn over. “Of course. You know we redheaded witches survive very well on our own.” It was a total lie. All she wanted to do was fall into his arms and sleep. She wanted to speak of her love for him. But hadn’t Sam made it very clear that he didn’t believe in instant attraction? She swallowed the torrent of admissions that wanted to pour from her lips.

  “Sam…” she said breathlessly, “be careful….”

  His blue eyes took on a familiar teasing glint. “As long as you don’t put a curse on me for running off and leaving you, I will be.”

  She forced a laugh for his benefit. He had no idea of the inner turmoil she was experiencing. It was just as well. “Platforms are dangerous, Sam. Please, for God’s sake, be careful.” Her voice was strained with unshed tears. He pulled her into his arms, pressing her tightly against him.

  “You’d miss me?”

  “Oh! You arrogant—”

  He laughed. “I know.” He kissed her temple, resting his head on her fiery red hair. “I shouldn’t tease you. You’re tired and it’s been one hell of an experience for you.” He put her at arm’s length, hungrily assessing her features. His voice lowered, sending a shiver of desire coursing through her. “We’ve got things to discuss when I come back, Kelly. This is not the time or place.” His fingers caressed her shoulders and arms. “I don’t know how long this Venezuela job will last. Just keep the home fires burning for me?”

  She stifled a laugh. “Is that a pun, Sam Tyler? Or do you want me to become an arsonist to halt your worldwide globetrotting and lure you back to Houston?”

  He leaned down, pressing a long, gentle kiss to her lips. She melted against his hard, muscular frame, so much clay to be molded by his will. She returned his ardent, searching kiss, wanting in some silent way to convey her love for him.

  Kelly made a concerted effort to pull herself back to the present. Jake was giving her a worried look and she sat up, elbows on the desk.

  “Okay, what have you found out about that batch of pipe, Jake?”

  His brows drew together as he handed her the sheaf of papers. “You sure you’re up to it, today? You look mighty peaked.”

  “I’ll be okay,” she lied. Her gaze immediately went to the metallurgy report. Her father had developed a precise formula for Blanchard Pipe and Kelly had memorized it long ago. According to the lab report, the amounts of the various alloys used had not been correct in that particular batch of steel. Kelly shot a look over at Jake.

  “This isn’t right.”

  “No, it isn’t,” Jake returned heavily. “I’ve alerted all the companies we’ve sold that pipe to and we’re in the process of recalling it. I’m replacing it with a different batch. So far our investigation shows only one pipe that didn’t meet our specifications. Obviously the problem w
as caused by the metallurgical department at the steel mill.”

  Kelly’s mouth thinned as she perused the rest of the complicated reports. “What I don’t understand is how that metallurgist could make this kind of obvious mistake! He’s supposed to test the mixture a number of times before it comes out of the furnace. Damn,” she breathed, throwing the papers down in front of her. Her green eyes narrowed upon Jake.

  “There’s more,” she said, suddenly knowing he had not told her something.

  “Yes, there is.” He handed her another sheet of paper. “I had a detective do some investigation on the metallurgist. He turned up some pretty damning evidence. When I confronted the metallurgist about it he broke down. Apparently, someone bribed him to alter the formula.”

  Kelly’s lips parted. She stared at Jake. Disbelief widened her eyes. “I don’t believe this!” she gasped. “I don’t believe it!”

  * * *

  Kelly stared sightlessly out her office window. Two months…two long, lonely months without Sam Tyler’s familiar teasing presence, his laughter or his touch. His latest hastily scrawled postcard lay on her desk, smudged with what appeared to be oil or grease. She had kept touch with progress on the blowout through the office of Boots and Coots at Port Neches, Texas. The Houston papers had run several pictures of the belching, fiery monster sitting off the Venezuelan coast. It was being touted as the worst blowout in the history of oil well firefighting. Even worse than the Devil’s Cigarette Lighter in Gassi Touil in the Sahara. Already five Venezuelans had died.

  Brow furrowed, Kelly turned and stared down at the postcard. I love you, Sam Tyler. Dammit, I want to see you! I don’t want to wait any longer! Her nostrils flared with frustration. There was no phone where Sam Tyler was working. And certainly, no mailing address.

  “Dammit!” she whispered, beginning to pace the length of her office. She worried about him. He had come off one exhausting fire only to turn around and battle this monster in the waters of the Caribbean. Was he getting enough sleep? Blowouts were no place to be caught off guard due to exhaustion. Thus far, no one from Boots and Coots company had been injured. They were known for their safety record and had never lost a man to a blowout.