by Lexie Davis
She turned the sander off after getting the wood back to its original state. He only had three more sections to do and he’d be done.
“Why are you here and not with your family?”
“My mom called me pudgy.” She rolled her eyes. “So I told her I was going for a run.”
He glanced up at her. “You ever going to tell me why you came home?”
She sat the sander down and unplugged it. “It’s just a visit home.”
“After ten years? Didn’t your parents always visit you?”
She nodded. “Yeah.”
She set the protective glasses aside and grabbed the beer before taking a seat in the one chair sitting on his porch. She looked completely in her element, which was a weird sight to him. He walked over to her and sat on the top porch step.
“I think you’re hiding something.”
“I’m hiding all kinds of things.”
He turned so his back was against the rail. “Care to share?”
She arched an eyebrow. “You want me to share my secrets with you? I thought we were enemies?”
“Nah.” He draped his arms over his knees. “I think you cleared that up when you apologized.”
“I still owe you a check.”
“I don’t want your money.”
She shrugged. “Free labor then?”
He glanced back at the work she’d done. “You don’t have to help me.”
“Maybe not, but you’re the only person in this town that isn’t teasing me about being pregnant.”
The daylight had started fading after the late sunset and Parker reached for another beer. He’d spent several years in the army and did several tours overseas. He didn’t want to think about what happened when darkness came.
“So you being here is going to dispel the rumors?”
“Yes.”
“I’m not sure that’s how it works.”
“It’s all I’ve got.” She sipped from her beer.
“You could hide in your parents’ home.”
Aubree laughed. “They’re having our reception there.”
“So I’m all you’ve got?” Parker lifted his beer to his lips.
“Funny how things work out.”
Yes it was. He went from needing revenge to feeling all kinds of emotions about her he’d suppressed for a long time. He liked that she came over. The porch was ugly as sin, but she didn’t comment, instead jumping in to fix it. He didn’t have high hopes of her coming back to help him, but the effort on her part did funny things to him inside.
He stood. “Well, it’s getting dark.”
“Are you trying to get rid of me?” She pointedly stared at him.
“I doubt spending the night at my place will do much good for your pregnancy rumors.”
“Like you’d let me spend the night.”
Parker chuckled. He didn’t need to think about her staying at his place or in his bed. He’d already dwelled too much about how soft her skin felt beneath his fingertips. More than one time that afternoon, he recalled the way her lips tasted. It’d been ten years since he kissed her last, but the action had burned into his memory. The image of her body against him while he sampled her lips played over and over in his mind. Parker lifted his beer to wet his parched throat.
Aubree stood. “You know, your silence is starting to make me think you still have a thing for me.”
Parker chose not to comment. Aubree was bad news for him. She always had been, but that rational thought hadn’t stopped him from dating her. Or having sex with her. Or wanting to marry her. He glanced away, focusing his attention on the now empty street. He thought after everything she’d done he could write her off and get her out of his memory and his life for good.
She moved toward him and dusted flecks of paint and wood from his shirt. Standing so close to her made him want to turn back into that high school boy and lean in and kiss her lips. He’d been weak back then. Aubree could pretty much do whatever she wanted, and he let her get away with it. He wanted to stay mad. He wanted to remind himself not to forget who she really was. The Aubree that visited them now was a mask of the real woman inside. The girl he knew was in there somewhere and if he wasn’t careful, she’d come out and ruin his life all over again.
“See ya around, Parker.” Her hand smoothed over his chest, lingering, before she moved away and headed down his porch steps.
He watched as she jogged off, wondering what kind of masochist he was to want to invite her back into his life. He needed to keep some distance between them, or he’d start entertaining the idea of inviting her over to help him with his porch. Or maybe even dinner and spending the night.
Cleaning up the mess on the porch, he carried his tools inside and sat them down beside the door. The little house he’d bought on Main needed a lot of work to make it livable. His salary didn’t support such an expense, but he didn’t really have the time to take on home improvement projects either. His little pet projects needed to be done one at a time and maybe by the time he was fifty, he’d have a complete house.
He dropped what was left of his beer stash in the fridge and rubbed a hand over his face. Aubree had a way of getting under his skin. She didn’t really have to do anything either. He washed his hands and decided on which TV dinner he wanted to eat. After popping it in the microwave, he sat down and turned on the television.
After serving in the army for nearly eight years, he’d come back to his hometown to chase away the demons he’d met on his tours overseas. His father was a big help in getting him settled down into a comfortable life with a job he liked.
The microwave beeped and he got up to get his food. He’d thought about her during those dark lonely nights when he was in the middle of Hell. The desert was hot during the day, but it grew chilly at night. Most men didn’t have a lot of luxuries in war. He spent several nights shivering himself to sleep while praying to everything Holy a missile didn’t hit his camp. He kept a gun next to him and waited for the big boom. Thankfully, he didn’t get hurt, but he was one of the lucky ones. He’d been close and the aftermath still haunted him.
Parker wiped the corners of his mouth, hating that his thoughts could take such a drastic turn before bed. Every night he fought the same battle. He hadn’t slept well since he graduated boot camp. His gaze wandered to the clock near his door. If he didn’t distract himself it would be another night of staying up until he couldn’t fight it anymore. Sometimes that also meant going to work on no sleep.
His phone rang and he saw Sophie’s number. He grabbed it and answered. “Hey, Soph.”
“Hey.” She paused. “Um, are you alone?”
“Of course I am. Why?”
“I just wondered.”
Parker sat his empty tray on the coffee table and grabbed his beer. “Soph, there’s nothing going on between me and Aubree. You don’t have to worry about that.”
“Yeah. I know.” The line went silent again. “It’s just … Ms. Malloy saw her at your house. She said you two looked cozy on your front porch.”
Parker refrained from groaning. The old woman was killing him. “Soph, don’t listen to the gossiping old hag. She stopped by while out for a run. Didn’t stay very long and then she left. There was nothing cozy about it.”
The line went silent again and Parker sighed. Everyone thought his business was theirs. Even after ten years, they were still convinced he and Aubree were meant to be together. It messed with his head.
“What did she want?”
“Nothing. We chatted about fixing up my porch and the rumors going on about us around town. She had to get home before dark so she left shortly after.”
“You sure that’s all she wanted? Ms. Malloy sounded like there was something else going on.”
“Nothing is going on.” He decided to change the subject. “You know, I still have that dinner reservation for tomorrow. We can go if you’d like.”
“I don’t know, Parker.”
Disappointment filled him. It was ra
re in itself that he could actually take a night to go out and do something fun. Being the town’s sheriff usually meant he was on-call twenty-four-seven. He made the effort to get the reservation in Dallas. He’d planned an overnight trip even. Now, it seemed like a waste of time and money.
“Well, if you change your mind let me know.”
“I will. Goodnight, Parker.”
She disconnected and he tossed his phone beside him.
His little house had the bare minimum furniture. Every wall had either peeling wallpaper or chipped paint. His kitchen needed new appliances so the only thing working was his fridge and the microwave. He had a small bathroom he planned on enlarging and two bedrooms that were more or less closets. In the two years he’d owned the place, he’d never invited a woman inside. He always went to Sophie’s apartment, and even then, he didn’t stay the night. He supposed that put some tension on their relationship too. He contemplated renting a hotel room for tomorrow night so they could have some time away together, but all of his efforts seemed pointless now that Aubree was back in town.
The thought of taking her instead crossed his mind before he could stop it. He needed to gain control over whatever it was going on inside him. She was part of his past and nothing in his present or future.
He cleaned up his mess and went to his bedroom to pull off his clothes. It was nine, but he knew if he didn’t lie down, he’d be up all night. Scrubbing his hand over his face, he tried not to think about his sad love life and focused on simply getting some sleep before the nightmares started.
Chapter Four
“So are you going to tell me what happened?” Aubree asked her father as she shoveled dirty hay from a stall in the barn. Her father glanced over at her as he dumped new hay in the stall next to hers.
“A lien was put on the ranch.”
“A lien for what?”
Her father didn’t quite meet her gaze. He continued to move the fresh hay from the pile in the center of the barn to the stall. Aubree sat her shovel aside and waited for his response.
“A lien for what, Daddy?”
“Medical care.”
“Are you sick?”
“No.”
“Momma?”
“No.” He stopped and finally met her eyes. “Tom.”
She frowned. “Tom?”
Tom Montgomery was sick? Parker hadn’t said anything to her about it. She sat her shovel aside and walked toward her father.
“What’s wrong with Tom?”
“They found a spot on his lung. It’s cancer. Couldn’t operate, but it responded well to chemo. He didn’t have the money and I told him I’d find a way to get it. I put the ranch up for collateral and then we hit a dry spot and I couldn’t afford the payments. Tom promised to pay me back, but I’m not expecting him to. I told him to get well and take care of his family. I’d worry about the rest.” He lifted his pitchfork and spread the hay about inside the stall. “So that’s why I needed the loan. Parker doesn’t know about it, so don’t go spitting off at the mouth to him. It was between me and Tom. I want to keep it that way.”
Aubree’s heart swelled at her father’s generosity. It was a stupid financial decision, but sweet, nonetheless. The two men had been friends for as long as she could remember. They served in the military together. Her father stood by Tom when his wife died. He was a groomsman at Tom’s second wedding. They’d been through a lot together, and she knew better than anyone that her father considered Tom like a brother. It was sweet he would take care of him like that.
“Momma doesn’t know? Tom’s wife doesn’t know? Why—out of everyone—does Parker not know?”
Her father scooped more fresh hay onto the pitchfork. “Parker’s got his own problems to worry about. Tom didn’t want him fussing over him too.”
Her brows knitted together. “What’s wrong with Parker?”
Her father stopped and met her gaze. “He served four tours overseas. I know you understand that to a point, but war changes a man. Not always for the better.”
She went back to her stall and started scooping out the dirty hay. “You know I would have paid for it if you’d just asked me instead of the bank.”
“He didn’t want anyone to know. The loan you gave me is between you and me. Don’t involve him. I’ll pay you back when our season picks up.”
“You don’t have to pay me back.”
“I will.” Her father’s pride didn’t enable him to take charity from anyone. He always found a way and he always paid his debts.
After spending most of the morning shoveling dirty hay, Aubree headed back to the house. She opened the door and stopped when she saw the gossiping queens packed around the dining room table with wedding gear spread in front of them. There was magazine after magazine of different things wedding related and her mother was in the center of it all.
“Momma? What’s going on?”
“Oh, we’re finalizing some of the plans. We’ve got the church booked for Saturday. The reception will be here at the ranch. You need to pick out flowers and the wedding dress. We also need to go cake tasting at one today.”
“Uh, Momma, can I talk to you?”
She disappeared into the mud room off to the side of the kitchen and waited for her mother to join her.
“Momma, there isn’t going to be a wedding. This has got to stop right now.”
Her mother glanced down at her stomach. “If you are pregnant you need to get married to the father of your baby. I know you live in the city and things are different there, but you don’t want to raise your baby alone, do you? I know Parker will be a great husband and a wonderful daddy. You need to think about that instead of protesting so much.”
Aubree groaned. “I’m not pregnant. There is no baby! I’m not with Parker. It’s been ten years since we were together. We’re nothing to each other now. He actually has a girlfriend and it’s not me!”
Her mother’s shoulders stooped as if she’d disappointed her in some way. “You always do this to me.”
“Do what, Momma?”
Her mother shook her head. “I’ll go tell the ladies the horrible news. I wish things were different.”
Frustration ebbed at her. “What did you have planned today?”
“Cake tasting at the bakery.”
Aubree sighed. “Don’t tell them just yet.”
Her mother’s eyes lit up. “You’re still going through with it?”
“Just don’t tell anyone yet.” Aubree kicked off her boots and decided to take a shower to wash the stench of sweat and manure off her skin. “There won’t be a wedding, but eating cake never hurt anyone.”
Nearly an hour later, Aubree found herself with the gossiping queens of Prospect, surrounding a small round table at the bakery with several cake options in front of her. Her favorite out of the mix was the chocolate chip, but the cookies-n-cream filling on the white cake was to die for as well.
The door bells jangled as someone entered the bakery. Aubree didn’t really mind the idea of marrying Parker as she bit into a caramel topped cake that was sure to add on a few extra pounds.
“Uh, Aubree?”
Her eyes popped open as she swallowed the delicious bite and turned to face Parker. “Hello, Sheriff.”
“What are you doing?”
She glanced around at the cake before her. “Trying out wedding cake.”
“But you’re not getting—”
She dipped her fork in the cookies-n-cream mousse and pushed it between his lips. “Good right?”
He ate the bite and groaned, wiping his mouth. “Can I speak with you?”
“Yeah. Sure.” She turned back to the table. “Ladies, I’ll be right back. Don’t try that pumpkin one yet.”
Aubree followed him outside and tried her best not to smile at his pissy mood. Parker looked as though he had a rough day. She smoothed her hand along his cheek.
“You’re exploiting this to get free cake.”
“Maybe, but it’s good cake.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“What?” He frowned. “No. I’m not taking you.”
“Why not? What restaurant? I may know the owners.”
“Le Parfait Des Cuisine.”
“Oh Pierre is the best.” Aubree smiled at him. “He has a restaurant in Dallas too. Reservations are difficult to get. The girl must be special for you to make that kind of an effort.”
“She is.” He shook his head, glancing away. “You can’t keep doing this. Call off the old ladies. Ms. Malloy actually reported to Sophie that we were getting cozy on my front porch last night. She thinks I want you.”
Aubree smoothed her hand along the crisp button down shirt of his uniform. “There is no calling off the gossips. Surely you know that by now.”
“Cake tasting with them isn’t exactly going to dispel the rumors either.”
“Don’t worry, Parker.” She patted his chest, right above his heart. “When I leave, everything will return to normal.”
He glanced down at her hand. “You can’t do this to me.”
“Do what?”
“Touching.” He grabbed her hand and pushed it away. “Sophie thinks there’s something going on.”
“Let me talk to her.”
He shook his head. “No.”
Aubree rolled her eyes. “Then live with it, lover boy.” She leaned up and pressed her lips to his. With a smile, she moved away and went back into the bakery. The crazy old bats looked happy. Her mother seemed the happiest. If she could keep that smile on her mother’s face for a little while, then she would. If she got free cake out of the deal, so be it. Aubree sat at the table and smiled at the women.
“Okay. Who’s ready for the pumpkin cake?”
****
Parker tried to focus on his job when he got back to the station but his lips burned from where she’d kissed them. He wanted to be angry. He wanted to tell her to leave and never come back.
“What’s got you all torn up?” Riley asked him.
“Your best friend.”