Texas Wild: The Gallaghers of Sweetgrass Springs Book 2

by Jean Brashear

  “Halftime?”

  “Ruby’s term. She takes a break every evening and climbs up to the tower. She used to look for her missing daughter Georgia, back before City Girl showed up and Ruby learned Georgia was dead.”

  He peered closer, then realized there was a figure up there on the roof. That Scarlett had her hands cupped over her mouth, calling out to whoever it was.

  He turned off the ignition and got out, glancing upward and shading his eyes. “That’s a kid.” He walked over to the two women, Rissa following. “What’s going on?” he asked.

  Ruby turned. “Mackey, thank goodness. The Coleman boy is up there, and he’s stuck.”

  “Jeanette’s calling Ian,” Scarlett said. “But he had to run over to Johnson City and isn’t back yet.”

  “I got this.” He returned to his vehicle and retrieved a rope and gloves from the emergency bag he kept in there at all times. He’d thought about leaving it behind for this trip, but old habits die hard.

  Rope in hand, he loped toward the courthouse door.

  “There’s a staircase just to the—”

  “Left,” he responded to Scarlett. “I know.” He grinned. “I used to be that kid. What’s his name?”

  “Aaron.”

  “Need some help?” Rissa asked.

  “Don’t think so, but since I haven’t seen the condition inside, wouldn’t hurt to have you along.”

  She looked pleased and increased her strides to catch up with him.

  Once inside, he scanned her head to toe. “You’re strong, but not strong enough to belay my weight without pulleys I don’t have with me.”

  “Then let me go down in your place.”

  “I don’t think so, babe.”

  “Don’t call me babe,” she snapped. “I’m not some little girl to be patronized.”

  “Doesn’t mean you can ignore the laws of physics. Your pride will survive. That’s one hell of a fall.” He glanced back but kept climbing stairs. “Since I don’t have proper rescue gear, I need to assess the strength of the supports. We can use one of the pillars.”

  We. He’d said we. She tried to focus on that in the midst of all his strutting. “You’ve been injured, Mackey. You’re not one hundred per cent.”

  “On my worst day, I’ve got more experience than the rest of this town put together. Unless you tell me there’s a trained rescue crew over having coffee at Ruby’s.”

  “You got dizzy.”

  “I’ve packed out a two hundred pound teammate after being shot. Now you want to keep yammering at me or you want to help?” Despite the three-story climb, he wasn’t winded, and his pace was brutal.

  She refused to let herself fall behind. “I’m here, aren’t I?”

  He flashed her a quick grin. “I’m not disrespecting you, Rissa, but I could do this with my eyes closed.”

  “Please don’t.”

  He chuckled. “Deal.” He pushed open the door to the tower. “Let’s see what we have here.” He scanned the area, then walked to one side and peered over the edge. “Hey there, little dude,” he said conversationally. “I’m Mackey. What’s your name?”

  The boy was flattened against the roof tiles. “A-aaron.”

  “Well, Aaron, your troubles are over. I’ll have you out of there before you know it. Just hang tight, all right?” He moved to the opposite corner and began tying off the rope with quick, expert movements. “I have Rissa Gallagher here with me. You two know each other?”

  She stared at his calm, conversational tone. He frowned and jerked his head toward the boy. Talk to him, he mouthed.

  She frowned right back. “Hi, Aaron,” she finally said. “How ya doin’?”

  “Don’t call my mom, okay?” His voice quivered a little. “My dad’s…she’s worried.”

  Rissa knew his dad was overseas. “His tour is nearly over, isn’t it?”

  Mackey was threading the rope around the pillar closest to Aaron’s position, then wrapping it around his waist. “Your dad’s in the service?”

  “He’s Army. He’s in Afghanistan right now. I miss him. Don’t tell him about this.”

  “Not a peep from me, bud. Okay, I’m coming over the side right now. Stay real still, and I’ll have you out of there in no time.”

  “This roof is slick.”

  “It is, isn’t it? Surprised me when I wasn’t much older than you. My dad had to be gone a lot, too, when I was your age. We moved around all the time.”

  “Really?”

  “Yep.” Without a sign of labored breath, Mackey walked himself down the roof, checking back over his shoulder now and again.

  “Mackey was a Navy SEAL, Aaron. You’re in great hands.”

  “A SEAL? Seriously?” Aaron stirred, and one tile tumbled from beneath his foot. He lost purchase and started to slip.

  Mackey’s reaction was lightning-quick. He did a quick hop-glide move over to grab the boy’s scrambling hand. “Whoa there, buddy. I’ve got you. Just stay as still as you can all right? Let’s find some balance here. You’re gonna be fine,” he soothed. His arm muscles bulged as he held tight to the rope with his right arm and gripped the boy’s hand with his left.

  Aaron whimpered.

  He kept his voice calm and spoke slowly. “We’re almost there, dude.”

  Sure didn’t look like it to her. She wondered how on earth he’d manage this.

  Below them a crowd was gathering, anxious voices chirping.

  “Aaron, don’t look down,” Mackey ordered. Once the boy complied, Mackey continued. “Look up at me. I’m not going to let anything happen to you, I promise you that. Are you listening?”

  “Y-yes, sir.”

  “Good. Now grab my wrist with your other hand and hang on tight, okay? That’s your only job right now. You hold on, and I’m going to pull you toward me. Use your feet if you can to brace yourself, okay?”

  She watched, barely breathing, as Aaron’s other hand rose through the air in slow motion, it seemed.

  The boy wobbled. He yelped.

  “I’ve got you. I’m not going to let go.”

  How could he sound so calm, when they were three stories up and the fall would surely kill them?

  At last Aaron’s other hand reached Mackey’s wrist, and he grabbed on tight.

  “Good. Now hold on while I draw you up closer to me.”

  She had no idea how he was pulling up that much weight with one arm.

  He acted like it was a walk in the park, but she could see the sweat coming through his shirt. “You know, my buddies and I used to dare each other to do some crazy stuff when I was your age.” From his voice no one would know they were dangling in the air like this. “Came in pretty handy when I was going through BUD/S. That’s SEAL training, where they push you to the limits to see if you’ll ring the bell. That’s what you do when you’re ready to quit, see? But I don’t quit. Ever. So you’re gonna be okay, Aaron.”

  His left bicep was bulging with the strain, but the boy’s body was inching closer. “In a second I’m gonna have you next to me, and I want you to stay really still, all right? You’re doing great, buddy. Your dad would be proud.”

  At last he had his upper arm tight against his body, Aaron’s small frame next to him. “Now I’m going to move so you’re in front of me.” He dug in with his feet and curled his body to make room between his chest and the roof, drawing the arm Aaron was clinging to in front of himself. “Now grab onto me with your arms and your legs, all right?” When Aaron didn’t let go of his wrist, he tried again, his voice a comforting croon. “I’ve got you, I promise. Use your legs first. Wrap them around my waist.” The boy complied. “Now wrap your arms around my shoulders, one at a time.”

  He’d had a broken leg and been in the hospital not that long ago. She could see his muscles quiver with the continuing strain, but his focus was fierce. “You’re doing great. That’s right. Now hang on tight, and I’ll have us up over the top before you know it.”

  He glanced up at her. “Rissa’s
going to take hold of you once we get there, and she’ll help you over the edge, all right?” His question was as much for her as the boy.

  “You bet I will.” She wished she could do more, but she was leery of upsetting the balance Mackey had struck.

  His eyes were bright and alive. Alert but absolutely no trace of fear she could detect. On the contrary, he looked as though he was having the time of his life. Hand over hand, he pulled up not only his own body weight but seventy pounds of terrified boy.

  When his head reached the top, their eyes met.

  He was grinning.

  He loved this.

  Moron.

  Then she busied herself latching onto Aaron and putting her own muscles into the task of drawing him over the edge.

  Once he was on his feet, she gave him a quick hug. “You did it!”

  Mackey braced his strong legs on the roof. Then he slid away, falling toward the edge.

  Screams rose from the ground.

  He arrested his fall, climbing the rope in fast-forward, grinning in triumph.

  “Did you do that on purpose?” Aaron’s eyes glowed in hero worship.

  “He’s also a movie stuntman,” Rissa told the boy. And an idiot, she mouthed to Mackey.

  He hauled himself over the edge like he’d been for a stroll in the park. “Don’t try that at home, bud.”

  Jerk. Adrenaline junkie.

  “Get the hell off that roof,” boomed a voice enhanced by loudspeaker.

  All three of them jolted, and she looked down.

  “Tank,” she muttered.

  Mackey’s eyes widened. “My old buddy Tank?” Sarcasm dripped from his voice. Tank Patton had hated the Four Horsemen, and the feeling had been mutual. Even as a little kid she’d understood that, even if she hadn’t understood why then.

  “In the flesh. He’s a deputy sheriff.”

  “You have got to be kidding.”

  “I wish.”

  Mackey’s gaze lit. “Well, well, well…isn’t this going to be fun?”

  She cast a glance at Aaron. “Not the right time, Mackey.”

  He did the same, then sighed. “I guess we’d better go down.”

  Tank was steaming by the time they made it outside. “Always a showboat, right, boy? I ought to arrest you right now.” He glared over at Aaron. “Get in the back of my car. I’m taking you to the station.”

  “Don’t be more of an asshole than you already are, Tank.”

  Tank pulled out his handcuffs. “I’ll just read you your rights.”

  “Don’t hide behind that badge. You want a piece of me, come and get it.”

  “Mackey…” Rissa grabbed his arm.

  He shook her off. “No. This has been brewing for years. Let’s do it. Or are you too big a pussy? Scared of me, Tank?”

  A slight figure imposed herself between them. Veronica. “Tank…” his sister urged him. “I’ve got the kids with me. Please. Mackey was only trying to help Aaron. Please.”

  “Get out of here, Veronica. This isn’t your business.” Tank looked like he was going to blow. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation. With violence.

  Mackey clearly couldn’t wait for the battle, his eyes gleaming, his body alert and ready—and in ten times better shape than Tank.

  Rissa tried to think how to keep this from escalating, but Tank was beyond rationality now, and Mackey was too eager, his hands away from his sides, his whole frame poised for action.

  Suddenly Veronica fainted. Just collapsed in a heap right at her brother’s feet.

  The electric anticipation dissolved into a cacophony.

  “What the hell—” Tank snapped out of his fury too late to catch her. He knelt beside her, grabbing for his mic.

  The dispatcher answered as he began checking her pulse and looking her over.

  Mackey went to his knees on her other side. “Let me help.” He reached for her wrist.

  “Get your goddamn hands off her!” Tank roared.

  “I’ve got paramedic certification. Let me help. Has she fainted before?”

  “I’m trained in first aid. Don’t you touch her.”

  “Don’t be an idiot, Tank. I have a medical kit in the truck, if you want some help.” But to Mackey’s credit, he didn’t push, though he observed Tank’s efforts closely.

  Rissa could tell Mackey was itching to take over, but he handled the situation with surprising finesse, given that the two of them had been at each other’s throats only moments earlier.

  Veronica stirred. Started to sit up.

  “Whoa there,” Mackey said. “Hold on just a minute.” He checked her eyes, her pulse, and to Rissa’s surprise, this time Tank let him. “Anything hurt?”

  Veronica cast a glance over at Rissa, one that was loaded with meaning.

  Well, you smart girl. Veronica had found the only way to deescalate the violence that had been threatening with no loss of face for her brother.

  “I’m okay. I just—I didn’t eat lunch. I got busy.”

  “I’m taking you and the kids to Ruby’s,” Tank said. “My treat.”

  That would be welcome, Rissa was sure. Money was very tight in the Butler household. Even if it was Tank offering.

  He was her brother, after all, even if he was a jerk.

  “Ben isn’t here, but the girls are in the car.”

  “Slowly,” Mackey cautioned, and for a second Tank bristled again.

  Mackey held out his palms and backed off. “Let me know if you need anything, all right?”

  “I’m fine,” she said. “Nice to see you again, Mackey.”

  “Same here. Could ask for better circumstances, though.”

  Veronica wisely said no more and instead leaned a little on Tank’s arm. “The girls will be glad to see their Uncle Tank.”

  Aaron had made himself scarce, and at least for the moment, Tank appeared to have forgotten him as he led his sister away.

  “She did that on purpose, you know,” she said to Mackey. “What the devil were you thinking? He has a badge and carries a weapon.”

  “I’m not afraid of him.”

  “Yeah, because you’re an idiot. Have you learned nothing since you left here?”

  “I know how to deal with bullies.” His jaw flexed.

  Suddenly she realized he was pale beneath his tan. He’d gone to tremendous physical exertion in the last hour, and he’d been so dizzy before. “Couldn’t prove it by me. Let’s go back to the ranch. I’ll fix us something.”

  “Are you kidding me? I’m not running from Tank.”

  She sighed. “Of course not. Because you have testosterone poisoning.”

  He flashed her a wicked grin. “It has its uses, Sugar.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Don’t let Veronica’s sacrifice go to waste, okay? She doesn’t like being around him that much, and she is stretched thin. She doesn’t need any more stress in her life. Play nice.”

  “I could kick his ass back then and still can.”

  “And that is why you’re a moron, I don’t care how much money you have.”

  “I’ll be nice.” His mouth tightened. “For Veronica. But I don’t have to like it.”

  “Never expected you would. Troublemaker.” But she couldn’t help grinning at him. “The wild boy never grew up.”

  “Hey, I just performed a heroic rescue.”

  “And you loved every second of it, didn’t you? You really are an adrenaline junkie.”

  He frowned. “I am not. I’m a highly trained warrior—”

  “Who’s still risking his life and getting his rocks off doing it.”

  He merely raised one dark eyebrow. “Want to talk about my rocks, Sugar?” His eyes glittered with a dare so sensual she found breathing hard.

  She made herself scan down the front of his body while adopting an expression of clear unconcern. “Not on your life. Now come on—I’ve got meat loaf calling my name.”

  “More than one way to satisfy that appetite, babe.”

  She had to
laugh. “You are incorrigible.”

  He tipped an imaginary hat. “Aw, not fair talking dirty to me where I can’t do anything about it.”

  Rissa shook her head and turned toward Ruby’s.

  Chapter Four

  Walking into Ruby’s with Mackey was like strolling through the high school with the quarterback at your side. Word had spread quickly among the few who hadn’t seen the drama firsthand, but Mackey only shrugged at the praise and moved on. He greeted people he recognized, spoke kindly to a couple of former schoolteachers having supper and tried to turn the praise in Aaron’s favor when the boy enthusiastically introduced him to his family.

  When at last they slid into a booth on the far side of the dining room, Rissa was startled to realize that Mackey was still pale beneath his tan. “You shouldn’t be here.”

  His gaze shot to hers. “I don’t need a nanny.”

  “You need your head examined,” she muttered. “Are you dizzy?”

  “I’m fine.” A muscle jumped in his jaw.

  The newest waitress, Brenda, appeared, her eyes wide with hero worship. “I saw what you did. That was amazing,” she said shyly. She always looked as though she was a half-inch from fleeing.

  Mackey turned on the charm. “It was no big deal. Brenda, is it?” He read her name on the tag. “Are you from here?”

  “No-no, I, uh,” she stammered. “I, um, Ruby gave me a job.”

  “Where are you from?”

  Her whole face closed down.

  He quickly adjusted. “You’re from Sweetgrass now, right? That’s what matters.”

  She smiled at him but wouldn’t meet his gaze for long. “Is it true that you did stunts on the last Bond film?”

  His grin was quick, if forced. Did no one but her see the strain on him?

  “Brenda, could we have some biscuits—” she began.

  “—I did,” he interrupted. “But I never got to kiss the Bond girl,” he said with exaggerated sorrow.

  Brenda giggled softly.

  “Brenda…” she began.

  He cast her a quelling glance. “That was thirsty work over there. Could we have some iced tea, you think?”

  “Oh—of course. I’ll just—I’ll be right back.” She scurried away.

  “Close your eyes for a minute,” she hissed at him. “I’ll let you know if anyone approaches.”