by Sable Hunter
“Absolutely. You’re my best friend and you’re going to be this baby’s godmother. Remember?” Avery picked up her tablet. “Could I send you my new book tonight? I need an unbiased opinion to see if the heat level is high enough.”
Tricia laughed. “Of course, I will. I can’t imagine your heat level is anything but scorching, as always. Is this another cowboy story, perchance?”
“You bet. The best one I’ve written so far.” Avery winked at her, I call it, Too Hot To Handle. There’s a scene in there where the heroine comes to the hero during a storm and climbs into bed with him. She rides him…Ow!”
“What’s wrong?” Tricia jumped up to run to her side. “Do you need to go to the hospital?”
“No, not yet.” Avery grimaced. “He kicked me. I swear this baby has a future in soccer.”
“How much longer?” She could tell her friend was miserable.
“Any day now. The doctor is going to induce if I don’t go into labor by next Wednesday.”
“Cady says the baby will be born on Tuesday,” Skye stated matter-of-factly. “And Cady’s never wrong.”
“True, the family soothsayer has spoken.” Avery laid her head back on the couch and shut her eyes. “I can’t wait for this baby to get here. I’m going to bring her to work at the florist shop and take her to book signings.”
“She’ll be a customer draw, I’m sure. I thought you said he was going to play soccer. Are you expecting twins? I know Tennessee and Molly were surprised with two babies instead of one.” Tricia rose and pulled her keys from her pocket.
Avery giggled. “No, no twins. We don’t know what the sex is, so I refer to him/her as both for now. Isaac wants to be surprised.”
“I’m sure those midnight feedings are going to come as a surprise,” Skye murmured as she touched the petals of the flowers, a sad look on her face. “We’re all going to help though, I plan on spoiling this baby rotten.”
Tricia remembered what Lance had told her about the adoption agencies. “I’m sure Avery will be grateful for the help.”
“Oh, I’m counting on it.” Avery glanced out the same window Tricia had been gazing out of before. “Lance is coming this way, Tricia. Why don’t you head on out?”
“And don’t forget to come for the party,” Skye reminded her.
“What can I bring?” Tricia asked, thinking ahead. “I make a great chocolate sheet cake.”
“No need for you to bring a thing, just yourself. We always have more food than we can say grace over.” Avery gave her an apologetic look. “I know I’ve left you in the lurch at the shop and I’m sorry.”
“Not a problem,” Tricia assured her, giving her friend a kiss on the cheek, “I’ve handled everything just fine. You’ll be back before we know it. Take care and I’ll see you Sunday afternoon.”
Skye walked Tricia out and hid a small grin when they were joined by her brother.
“Hey, Sis. Tricia. Beautiful day, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is. Thank you for my pretty flowers.” Skye hugged her brother. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Lance kissed his beautiful sister on the cheek.
Awww. Tricia stood there enjoying the spectacle. “You two are lucky. I didn’t have a sibling growing up.”
Seeing an opportunity, Lance offered her his arm. “Can I walk you to your van, Tricia?”
“Oh, please do.” They both waved at Skye, who returned to the house, glancing back at them over her shoulder. “I think she enjoyed the bouquet.”
“Thanks for doing such a good job.” They walked slowly side by side, their thighs brushing with every step. “Did you drive yourself?” He repeated Avery’s question. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you behind a wheel.”
Tricia tightened her hand around his strong forearm and steeled herself to repeat the oft told half-truth. “I had a little accident when I was younger. I lost my nerve for a while. I need to drive though, so I’m going to start slow and get used to it again.”
“Well, you take care. I don’t like to think about you being hurt.” He opened the passenger door and leaned on it as she climbed in. “Are you having a busy day?”
“Normal, I guess. When I leave here, I’m taking the balloon bouquet to Nolan for Jaya.”
“I’m glad I caught you, I was planning on phoning last night, but I got in too late.” Lance couldn’t take his eyes off her. “You look beautiful.”
Tricia felt her cheeks grow hot. “Thanks. Don’t ever hesitate to call, I’m a light sleeper.”
“Really?” Lance imagined her in his bed, all soft and cuddly. Naked. “So, I could probably wake you up with a kiss?”
“You could wake me up thinking about a kiss,” she answered, her breath coming faster and faster. “What were you going to say…if you’d called?”
“I really want to take you out. Are you free on Saturday?”
Tricia wanted to stomp her foot. “No, I have plans.” When she saw his face fall, she hastily explained. “I’m going to see my grandmother. I’ve had this trip planned for a while. She doesn’t live far, but I don’t see her very often.” Their relationship was a long story, but now wasn’t the time to tell it.
“I see. Okay.” Lance didn’t know what to say. This was the same old story. He thought things had changed between them. “Maybe some other time.” The grandmother excuse was second only to a girl needing to wash her hair.
Oh, no. This wasn’t happening. Tricia could read the disappointment in his eyes and something told her that if she didn’t act fast, she’d lose him forever. “Lance, how about Skye’s party? We could meet here and go out afterward.” Tricia held her breath, waiting for his answer.
Maybe he’d misread the situation. “Okay. Sounds good to me.” Lance smiled, relieved at her suggestion. He’d take what he could get. “I can’t wait.” He gave her a long, meaningful stare.
“Not everything has to wait.” Feeling bold, she took off his Stetson and set it on the dashboard. “Now, you can lean in without creasing your hat.” Taking him by the hand, she tugged him closer.
Lance moved to stand between her legs. The position was suggestive enough that his manhood began to fill and lengthen. “I like being this close to you.”
“I like it too.” She moved her hands up to frame his face. Was she experienced? No. Was she enthusiastic to learn? Hell, yes. She’d read a ton of romance novels and kissed her pillow enough times to fake this. Maybe. “Come here, cowboy.”
Lance’s heart almost stopped as she began to sweetly nibble on his lips. Tender little smooches. A tiny hint of tongue tickling the corner of his mouth. “More,” he growled as he took control, wrapping her in his arms and devouring her sweetness, his tongue sweeping inside to tease her own. Tricia trembled against him and Lance could feel how right this was – some things were just worth waiting for.
One kiss became two, then three, each growing harder – deeper – so intense Tricia thought she might faint. His hands moved feverishly over her arms and across her back, she could feel the hard slabs of his pecs beneath the aching tips of her breasts. Every inch of her body wanted to dissolve into his. She’d never known what it was like to be the complete focus of a man’s erotic attention before, and now that she was here, she wanted to do it again and again.
Tebow Ranch faded away. The sky rolled back like a scroll. Time ceased to be as they kissed, learning one another’s secrets, memorizing the other’s taste. Only the catcall of Canyon Brady broke their reverie as he moved behind them on his way to the barn. “Get a room, Boss!”
Lance chuckled as he pulled his mouth from Tricia’s, leaning his forehead against hers. Breathless, he gazed at her face. Her eyes were closed, her cheeks were flushed, and her lips were damp from his kisses. She was adorable. “Are you okay, honey?”
An erotic little moan escaped her lips and went right to his cock.
“Yea, I thought the world was ending there for a minute or two.” She laid her head against his chest and let out a long
sigh.
“Oh, this isn’t the end.” This could be the beginning. Lance wrapped his arms around her and held her close. “Are you sure you want to date a hired hand? My sister is a McCoy, but I just work for them, Tricia. I don’t even own a home of my own.”
“Are you serious?” Tricia lifted her head to look at him, frowning. “I work for a living, the same as you.” She placed a hand on his cheek, enjoying the feel of the day’s growth of beard beneath her palm. “I’m interested in you, Lance, not your possessions.”
Lance felt his heart lighten. “This is a pretty heavy conversation, considering that we haven’t even gone out yet.”
“I can’t wait to spend some time alone with you.” Tricia noticed the small crowd they’d drawn, all standing at a distance. “We have company.”
Lance didn’t look around. “Ignore that bunch of clowns.” He fastened her seat belt and replaced his hat on his head. “You drive carefully and I’ll see you Sunday.”
“Okay.” Tricia’s hands were trembling when she turned the key, her heart was skittering around in her chest like a bird trying to escape a snare. “Phone me if you get a chance,” she called, seeing Lance lift his hand as he moved back to stand by Denver, Canyon, and Devon.
Somehow, despite her sensual daze, Tricia managed to guide the van off Tebow property and onto the road back to town. “Oh, my gosh!” she squealed, rubbing a finger over her well-kissed lips. “I’m so in love with that man!”
Honk!
A few miles down the road, a car horn startled her and she glanced into her rearview mirror. Apparently, she wasn’t going fast enough to suit the man in the vehicle behind her. “Okay, okay, give me a break, it’s not every day a girl sees her dreams coming true!” Who would’ve ever thought that Tricia Yeager, the girl who so many loved to bully, would end up being kissed by a man like Lance Rogers?
Speeding up a little, she looked for a place wide enough to pull onto the shoulder and allow the motorist to pass. The Guadalupe river bridge was just ahead, so the impatient traveler would just have to wait.
“Hey!” she shouted, seeing that the car was preparing to pass her anyway. “Not smart!” The idiot behind her, coming up fast to pass, couldn’t see the oncoming eighteen-wheeler barreling around the curve. Panicking, Tricia jerked the wheel to the right to give the other two vehicles more room and when she did, her wheel clipped the guardrail, jerking her van to a sudden stop.
“Oh!” she screamed as the airbag slammed into her face, forcing her head violently to the side and into the glass window.
CHAPTER THREE
“Tricia! Tricia! Are you okay?”
When Tricia opened her eyes, she was staring into Sheriff Kane Saucier’s concerned face. “What happened?”
“A witness said some fool forced you off the road, but they didn’t stop. You crashed into the guardrail.”
Tricia groaned, pushing the white plastic remains of the airbag off her body. “Did my balloon bouquet survive?” Blinking her eyes, she grimaced, trying to process all the places on her body that hurt. “I think I bit my tongue.”
“Your balloons are all still afloat,” he called from the back of the van. “I called for an ambulance.”
Tricia shook her head, then grabbed it as she felt a wave of dizziness swamp her. “You did? I think I’m fine,” she protested weakly. “Can you call them back and tell them not to come?”
“I don’t think so.” Kane looked apprehensive. “You whacked your head pretty good and you were unconscious when I arrived. I’d feel better if you get checked out.”
“I’m not even bleeding.” She crawled from the seat and stood on the ground, needing to show the sheriff that she was okay. “I really need to make this delivery now.”
“I don’t think this van’s going anywhere. I called a wrecker.” Kane strode to the front of the vehicle to survey the damage. “You were damn lucky, this could’ve been a lot worse.”
“Yea, I suppose.” Tricia stared at her wrecked transportation. “Was there a fire? I smell burning rubber.” She felt woozy and disoriented, but that was normal she supposed.
“I don’t smell rubber,” Kane said, kicking one of her tires. “You didn’t leave any skid marks or anything.”
“Hmmm,” Tricia felt a niggle of worry, “I guess it’s my imagination.” Please God, let it be her imagination. She knew what the smell of burning rubber could mean. Suddenly, she felt trapped. “How will I get to the lumber yard to make this delivery?”
Kane pulled his phone from his pocket. “Let me call Potter and tell him to drop your van off at the mechanic’s shop. When you finish at the ER, call the dispatcher. Someone will pick you up and take you to make your delivery. How does that sound?”
Tricia was touched by the lawman’s consideration. “Wow, you’re a full-service Sheriff’s department, aren’t you?”
He grinned, shrugging his shoulders. “We try. Will it be okay for Potter to take the van to Jon’s?” He named a new mechanic in town.
“Sure, yes, tell him I’ll stop by with my insurance information this afternoon.” Tricia walked to the back of the vehicle to retrieve the balloons and chocolate, grateful to see they were intact. She did her best to ignore the tingling in her arms and the stiffness in her neck.
As Kane took the balloons from her and stuffed them into the backseat of his squad car, she leaned on the hood to catch her breath. This was not happening! She refused to let it happen. What she was feeling was due to the crash, not to anything else!
When the ambulance arrived, the EMT’s did a cursory check of her vitals before instructing her to lie down on the stretcher for transport.
“Just call 9-1-1 when you’re through, Tricia, someone will be by to pick you up in a jiffy,” he reminded her.
“Thanks, Kane.” She braced herself when the technicians picked up the gurney and loaded her into the back of the ambulance. “Great, just great,” she whispered. Tricia tried to think of anything else – but she failed. Remembered pain wiped everything else from her mind.
The stigma of growing up with epilepsy would be something she’d never forget.
Whispers. Pointed fingers. The hurtful names and comments.
Freak. Spastic. Fit thrower.
Her mother tried to protect her, but keeping Tricia away from people had done its own share of damage. As she’d moved into adolescence, the frequency and intensity of the seizures lessened. At sixteen, she’d even braved a date, but the excitement of the evening brought on a light episode. In comparison to others she’d suffered, the seizure had been short and inconsequential. Her escort, Paul Gilley, had no basis for comparison. He’d been horrified and Tricia had been mortified.
Even though the symptoms gradually dissipated, Tricia never went out with a boy again. Just as soon as her high school graduation date rolled around, she moved away from the small town where no one would ever forget her shame or think of her in any other way than the girl with epilepsy.
Her paternal grandmother was the one responsible for her fresh start. Trudy Yeager had balked at her daughter accepting the old lady’s help, but Tricia had been desperate.
…A few minutes later, Dr. Kumar gave her his assessment. “You appear to be no worse for wear. I see some bruising from the airbag and where you hit your head, but not much else.”
Tricia sat on the examining table, her hands folded in her lap. “Okay, I like the sound of that, I just needed to be sure.”
“Although…it’s not unheard of for epilepsy to return after a number of years.” He mused, scooting his stool back and laying a tablet on the counter behind him. “The blow to your head could have triggered an episode. I see no evidence of it, but I can’t be a hundred percent certain. Not every person’s experience with the condition is the same. Tell me about yours. What was a seizure like for you?”
This was not what Tricia had envisioned her day being like. “I would feel disoriented, sometimes I would smell things and hear things that weren’t there.” She felt
so stupid. “I would tense up and shake, but I never had a grand mal seizure.”
“Okay, I see. Well, I recommend you have some tests run. When can you see your regular doctor?”
“Soon.” She made eye contact with the pretty nurse who gave her a slight smile. Nurse Cox was her name. “Do I know you?”
The woman shook her head. “Not really. I’ve seen you around Hardbodies. I used to date Lance Rogers.”
“Oh!” Well, that explained it. An uncomfortable feeling of envy wiggled around in her stomach. “How have you been?”
“Excuse me.” Dr. Kumar cut them off. “I’m going to let you go home, but call your doctor ASAP. And if you have any further symptoms before then, come back and see us.”
“Yes, sir.” Depressed, Tricia redressed with the help of Nurse Brittney Cox.
“Who is Lance dating these days?”
The question took Tricia by surprise. She wanted to answer, me, but that declaration would be a little premature. “I’m not sure. I don’t know if he’s seeing anyone right now.”
“I call him periodically, just to keep the channels of communication open.”
“Really?” Man, she didn’t need to know that. Nurse Cox was gorgeous, she made Tricia feel like an onion.
“There, you’re all ready to go. If you see Lance anytime soon, tell him I said hello.” She handed Tricia her purse. “Who knows, I might call him myself and just check in.”
Tricia didn’t know what to say. “Thanks. I appreciate your help.” With quick steps, she made her escape, dialing 9-1-1 as she went. The dispatcher told her that the sheriff was waiting for her out front.
Once she passed through the automatic doors, she waved at the handsome lawman. “Hey, I’m over here, Kane.”
“Great! How did it go?”
“He told me to check in with my regular doctor.”
“Sounds reasonable.”
She crawled into the front of the squad car, since her balloons took up most of the room in the back. A thought struck her that Nurse Cox might tell Lance what she’d learned today. She wondered if nurses had some type of code of honor like doctor/client privilege. Dratz, she doubted it. Oh well, she was probably overestimating her conversational appeal.