As she put the box back in the lower compartment, he noticed she favored her injured leg. “You need to elevate and ice your knee. Did you take any of those painkillers you were peddling to me?” He moved to the small door and closed it, looking her in the eye as he waited for the answer.
She turned away from him and shrugged. “As I’ve been told several times today—” after a few steps away from him, she turned back and made eye contact “—I’m fine.” Her eyes looked a darker blue today, reminding him of a storm rolling over the hills. “You know they’re trying to set us up. I think your daughter’s even in on it. Do you get this a lot?”
He settled his hat back on his head. “Nope. Not lately, anyway. They gave up a few years ago. Writing me off as a lost cause. I guess they see us as the perfect lost-cause couple.” He grinned.
Nikki crossed her arms. “It’s not funny. I think they’re offering you up as bait to get me to stay here.”
A chuckle rattled around his chest, but the pain cut it short. He did love her humor. “If I was you, I’d be insulted if I’m all they have to offer you with. A single dad, washed-up bull rider that has commitment issues. They set the bar low.” He studied the emotions she tried to hide as she avoided his gaze. She was a puzzle, confident but vulnerable at the same time.
She rubbed her leg then stood. “You’re cute in that washed-up-bull-rider way. Okay, I’ll take that offer of a ride home as long as we’re clear that I’m leaving as soon as my leg is better.”
“I’m cute?” He rubbed his jaw and the stubble felt like low-grade sandpaper.
“Oh, give me a break.” With her hands on her hips, she rolled her eyes. “Like you haven’t been told that a million times.”
He liked the way she handled everything so straightforwardly. He nodded and offered his arm. “Your carriage awaits.”
With a shake of her head, her few loose curls danced around her face. “Oh no. You’ve already been spotted carrying me. I can walk on my own free will with a good four feet between us. No more of this damsel-in-distress talk.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He hadn’t had this much fun with a woman in a long time. Maybe there was a way to keep her in town. Dating took too much energy and time away from Mia, the horses and the old houses he restored. Now there was a woman who piqued his interest, and she made it clear he needed to keep his distance. God, You have a twisted sense of humor.
Once they got past the trailers, she started limping again. Why did she refuse the crutches? He carefully slipped an arm around her as she stiffly moved to his truck. She gave a slight grunt, but she didn’t say anything about the four-foot rule.
He grinned. She was his kind of stubborn.
Chapter Six
Nikki tossed the end of the soft pink scarf over her shoulder. “I don’t know why you think I need to wear more color. I like my gray T-shirt.”
Danica handed her a tube of matching lipstick. “Here. You have beautiful lips, but they’re fading into the rest of your skin.”
The other twin nodded. “You’re gorgeous. I don’t understand why you don’t want to look your best. It’s not like we’re making you fix your hair and change all of your clothes. It’s a scarf and lipstick. Well, maybe a bit of mascara. It’ll make your eyes stand out. I always wished we had your eye color.” Jackie pulled out a green tube of what Nikki assumed was the marvelous thicker-lashes-in-one-swipe goop.
“My hair? What’s wrong with my hair?” She didn’t remember the twins being this bossy. “I thought this was a simple church social for single parents. Which I would like to point out, again, I’m not.” Giving birth didn’t count.
“Single parents. Like Adrian.” Her sisters giggled like middle schoolers.
Sammi, their youngest sister, sat on the edge of the bed with her arms crossed. “I don’t know why you’re trying to set her up with Adrian. She’s told us she’s leaving. And I don’t understand why I can’t go. Just like Nikki said, she and Jackie aren’t single parents. You’re just single like me.”
Danica sat next to her and put an arm around the stiff shoulders. “We aren’t trying to set her up with anyone. We’re just having fun. It’s been so long since we got to do sister things with her. You’re too young. You’d be bored with all us old folks.”
“I’m twenty-one.” She scowled as the three older sisters laughed.
“Oh, sweetheart. Someone needs to stay here with Daddy and the girls anyway. He’s been acting weird lately.” Jackie hugged her and kissed Sammi’s forehead.
“Come on—let’s go.” Danica headed out the door without looking back.
Nikki offered a hand out to Sammi and pulled her up into her arms. The last time she’d hugged her little sister, she had only been nine years old. Now she was a grown woman. “Sorry they’re being so obnoxious. Tomorrow just you and I will do something. We have a lot of catching up to do.”
“So when you leave this time, do you promise to come back?”
The weight of regret made her shoulders heavy. She tucked a strand of loose hair behind Sammi’s ear. “I promise, kiddo.” She bumped her forehead like they did when she was little. “I’ll be back.” The silly voice she used made Sam laugh. “At least once a year, I promise. And you can come see me. Have you rappelled down cliffs or hit white rapids?”
With a shake of her head, Sam smiled. “Sounds fun. Maybe we can go kayaking. Nothing so exciting around here. I would love to visit you.”
“Nikki! We’re gonna be late!” Danica yelled from downstairs.
One more hug, and Nikki went down to get in the old family Suburban. “I can’t believe Dad still has the green beast.” She got in the middle bench.
“Hey, it hit 400,000 miles. It just got broken in. Plus, it has a new transmission. He’s not getting rid of it now.” The girls chatted all the way out to Adrian’s place. It was down Childress Ranch Road next to his parents’ property. It wasn’t far from her mother’s family ranch.
She took a deep breath, not sure why she was so nervous. This was not a date. It was a church social.
There were all sorts of cars and trucks parked along the caliche drive. She hadn’t expected this many people.
“Wow, this is a big turnout. And it looks as if we’re late.” Danica cut a glare to Nikki in the rearview mirror.
“What? Y’all are the ones who wanted to add color to me.” She refused to feel guilty for spending a few extra moments with Sammi.
Danica moved to the back of the Suburban. “I’ll get the brownies if one of you will grab the potato salad.”
Nikki rushed to get the side dish. It would give her something to focus on other than the fear of whom she would see and what questions they’d ask her. She should have stood her ground and stayed home. The last thing she needed was to be around Adrian or anyone from Clear Water, but at least it was just the single parents. She didn’t have to worry about seeing Vickie.
She followed her sisters then stopped to take in the building at the end of the long gravel drive. “That’s a barn. Adrian lives in a barn?”
In unison the twins turned back and looked at her. “Not just a barn.” They replied in stereo. Danica sighed. “It was one of the Childress’s old barns. Some great-great-grandparent built it. It wasn’t used anymore and Dub was tired of the upkeep. Everyone thought Adrian was crazy for moving it here. Story is Dub sold it to him for a hundred bucks. And Adrian had to pay to move it. That was fun. The whole county came out to watch.”
They turned their backs to her and started walking to the giant three-story barn that was lit up like an airstrip. Jackie continued the tale. “Everyone thought Adrian was crazy, including George. That was eight years ago. Now they all want to find a barn to convert. People are always asking to have weddings and parties here.”
They approached the huge open sliding barn doors. The space inside was wi
de-open with over thirty people grouped in different areas. A pool table and several mix-matched farm tables were scattered around the room. At one end, a large river rock fireplace dominated the wall. The design flowing up like the Frio River itself. Instead of a fire, some kind of lamp lit the area.
Several people greeted them. Nikki didn’t know there were this many unattached adults in Clear Water, let alone single parents.
“Hey, ladies!” George greeted them. “Yay! The Bergmann Brownies and potato salad. They can go over to the side table.” He winked at Nikki. “Adrian’s out by the grill.”
A group around one table started yelling and laughing. She raised an eyebrow to George. He laughed. “A game of spoons can get very competitive. They’ve been known to draw blood, so you’ve been warned if you join them.”
Danica leaned into George. “Why are there people from the young-couples group?”
Nikki had to bite back a laugh. The definition of young couple was a bit liberal in Clear Water. A few of the couples were older than her and the rest were her age. The pastor was there. She had a hard time imagining Lorrie Ann Ortega as a pastor’s wife, but she guessed that proved anything was possible. He certainly looked at her as if she was the only one in the room.
Nikki turned away from them before she got nauseous, only to find Vickie with Jake’s arm draped over her shoulder.
A fine layer of sweat coated her skin. She had thought she’d be safe at a single parents’ gathering. It seemed their use of the word single was a bit liberal also.
“Oh, you noticed our population explosion.” He nodded and pointed to a pretty brunette by the fireplace. “Anjelica and Garrett were hosting the couples’ social at their house tonight, but the old house had an electrical issue. So while her father and brothers are fixing it, Pastor John thought it would be fun for all of us to get together.” He turned to Nikki. “Some of the married couples used to be part of our group, so now it’s a twentysomething, thirtyish or fortyish get-together.”
Lorrie Ann’s cousin, Anjelica, sat on a winged-back chair, talking with a woman Nikki didn’t recognize. A tall, brooding man leaned across the back of her chair and kept looking at his watch. He seemed as uncomfortable as Nikki felt.
George moved in close and whispered in her ear. “It’s their first date night without the kids. He’s worried, and I don’t think they’re gonna last long.” Well, she’d keep an eye on them—that way she wouldn’t be the first to leave.
She had to get away from all these couples. Jackie took the dish from her and left her standing alone with George. The table erupted again in shouts and laughter.
They were having too much fun for her. She looked out the back door. That was one of the things she loved about the Grand Canyon. A person could go miles without seeing another body if they planned it right.
“Hey, come with me.” Adrian’s twin tilted his head to the escape she had already been eyeing. “I need to check the steak and chicken. I can’t leave my little brother alone with them too long, or he’ll dry them out.” He shuddered.
Following him through the wide barn doors at the back, she found a rock patio that extended out a good ten feet with a short wall surrounding it. Several chairs and a couple of rocking chairs invited her to sit and stare at the night sky. This was a place straight out of her dreams she had for a home one day that she would build...in Arizona.
Laughter drifted from the darkness, drawing her attention away from the stars. Down the path, under a giant oak tree strung with hundreds of white lights, Adrian stood at a metal grill. Gwyn stood with him. Nikki looked back to the open doors of the barn turned house and tried to figure out which place would be the less excruciating. She could go sit in the Suburban and wait for her sisters.
“Nikki?” Adrian’s voice called out to her. “Glad you decided to join us. I got the impression you weren’t coming.”
Gwyn stepped a little closer to Adrian. “It’s been so long since you’ve visited, we thought you were never coming back. I’m sure your sisters are happy to see you.”
She closed her eyes and tilted her head back. Really, God. She didn’t want to talk to Adrian, especially with Gwyn.
“They aren’t the only ones.” George walked past her and stood next to his twin. With an elbow, he hit his brother. “Right?”
Adrian frowned at him and poked him back. “Lots of people are happy to see her.”
“So how’s Cooper doing?” Nikki needed to change the subject. “Has he recovered from his ordeal?”
Gwyn took the opportunity to touch Adrian on his arm. “Yes, and it’s all due to Adrian’s fast action. When I saw that horse fall. Then Coop dropped the...” Tears started welling up in her eyes. Adrian put his arm around her.
Nikki knew she had a strong skeptic streak, but she fought back the face she wanted to make. That would just make her look a bit on the rude side. George didn’t seem to have the same concern. With a tilt of his head, he gave her an exaggerated eye roll.
Of course, he was standing over the grill. Behind his brother’s shoulder where Nikki was the only one who could see him. He was going to get her in trouble. If she started laughing, Adrian and Gwyn might take offense.
Gwyn wrapped one arm around Adrian’s shoulder. He stiffened.
Nikki stopped herself from stepping forward and checking his wound. “How’s the cut? Do you need it rebandaged?” Why did she even offer? The last thing he needed was two women hovering over him.
Gwyn moved back. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I forgot you were injured. Did I hurt you?”
“I’m fine.” He gave Nikki a sheepish look.
“Oh, buddy, I’ve heard that before. Let me see if you’ve reopened my handiwork.” She moved to stand behind him and he blocked her by turning.
A long metal spatula in hand, George pointed it at his brother. “There is blood on your shirt.”
A growl rumbled from Adrian’s throat as he glared at his brother. “You stay out of this.”
“Oh, Adrian, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to hurt you all over again.” Gwyn put her hand on his good shoulder and turned him and looked at the damage. “Your brother’s right. There’s blood on the shirt.”
“There’s a first-aid kit upstairs in the kitchen,” George told them. “Y’all get him fixed. On your way in, could you send Jake out here to help me get the steaks and chicken in to everyone?”
Adrian moved closer to the grill, slipping out of Gwyn’s reach. “I can help with the steaks.”
“No offense, baby brother, but no one wants to be served by a bleeding hero.” He waved them on. “Thanks, Nikki, for patching up my brother again.”
“I want to help.” Gwyn grabbed Adrian’s arm again and pulled him toward the house. “I might not be a nurse, but I’ve had experience putting boys back together. You saved my Cooper. Let me help you.” Did she actually bat her eyes at him? Nikki didn’t know women did that in real life. It made her stomach a little sour. It was really none of her business if Adrian liked the helpless-girl act.
Hanging back with George, she thought of all the ways she could leave. They didn’t need a third wheel. She’d played that game before and she wasn’t going there again. “I’ll help George. Gwyn has it under control. Adrian doesn’t need me.”
“Hey, Gwyn! What do you know about stitches?” George called out.
Gwyn stopped and looked back at Adrian. “You have stitches? Oh no, was it that bad?”
Adrian’s growl could be heard through the darkness that separated them. “I’m fine. I don’t have stitches.” Each word slipped through gritted teeth.
“Yeah, because Nikki knows how to do a killer butterfly bandage!” George yelled across the lawn. He flipped the steaks. “He would have been worse if she hadn’t taken care of him.” He turned to her. “Do you want your work to be undone?”
S
he sighed. If Adrian didn’t want her help, she wasn’t going to force herself on him. She thought of him carrying her in the rain at the ranch and later on Main Street in front of the store. He was the one who did the forcing and she wasn’t going to stoop to his level, even if he was too dense to know he needed her help. He wanted Gwyn to fix him up, that was fine with her.
“He’s a grown man. He doesn’t want my help.”
“Nikki!” Adrian called her. “It feels like they’ve come undone. Would you mind replacing them?”
She put a smile on her face and joined them. The three of them walked through the large social area and up the stairs to the living quarters. Adrian must like open space, because the kitchen was only separated from the living area with an island made of stained concrete. It served as an eating counter on one side with four tall stools. The largest leather sectional she’d ever seen took up most of the space, anchored by an area rug of neutral colors. The wood floors shone. It was very masculine and comfortable.
She instantly wanted to curl up and stay. The woodwork, from huge beams above their heads to the details on the railing and walls, was amazing. Old pulleys and doors were used in creative ways. The coffee table was an old barn door. Pictures of Mia growing up showed through a pane of glass placed on top of the wooden squares.
The love of old buildings and wood was showcased in this remodeled barn. To the right was a spiral staircase leading to a loft. Colorful streamers of pink, purple and bright greens looked out of place. They created a wall for the upstairs room.
Nikki smiled. That had to be Mia’s room.
Adrian sat on one of the bar stools. Gwyn hovered close by. “I hope I’m not the reason it started bleeding again.”
Adrian sighed. “I’m sure it was something I did. Nikki, the first-aid kit is above the refrigerator.”
“What do you need me to do?” Gwyn was now holding Adrian’s hand as if he was a six-year-old. “I’m so sorry you got hurt. Watching Coop go down, then you blocked that horse from thrashing him. It was amazing. You were so brave and fast. Have you seen anything like it before, Nikki?”
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