by Emma Ames
“What are you doing? Get up, Ridge.”
He reached into his jacket pocket and produced a small box and opened the lid. “I want to marry you, Tizzy. I love you. I have, from the moment I met you.”
She stared down at a silver filigree ring, with a blue sapphire, circled with diamonds. Her pulse pounded in her ears. What was he thinking? She’d met him less than two months ago. How could he even consider proposing? The ring looked vintage. Like a family heirloom. That’s why his mother hates me. He’s trying to give me her ring!
When Ridge tried to slide it on her finger, she pulled her hand away. “I don’t know what to say.”
“The last time I checked, it was a one-word answer. But if you mean you’re speechless. I’ll accept a nod.”
“Oh, Ridge.”
His expression hardened. “Oh, my God. I never considered you’d say no.”
“I’m not.”
He stood and staggered backward. “Well, you’re not saying yes. What are you afraid of? You love me. You haven’t said it, but I can tell you do.”
“Ridge, if you’re honest, you’ll agree we barely know each other. We’ve only been together for a few weeks. I don’t even know trivial things about you. Your favorite color. Your faith. Your birthday. I’m not saying no. I’m saying we need more time together. And what about you leaving? That needs to be discussed before we take such a big step.”
His body stiffened. “Do you think that’ll give us a guarantee? Jenny and I had been together for two years when we got married, and we still couldn’t make it work. You knew Boone forever, and you see how that turned out.”
“What do you mean?”
His lips tightened. “You fell in love with him when he was a boy. You married him when he was a man. You knew everything about him. But you didn’t know him at all. You never dreamed he would join the military. Or thought in a million years he’d put Marlene’s feelings over yours. You certainly didn’t think he’d ever be unfaithful. And by the time he left for duty, you’d already started falling out of love with him, and you still feel terrible guilt over it. I may not know your favorite color. But I know you can look forever, and you’ll never find a man who loves you the way I do.”
“If you love me so much, you should give me what I need— more time.”
“Fine. How about time and space? Isn’t that what people say when they want out?”
She stepped forward and clasped his arm. “That’s not what I want.”
“What do you want, Tizzy? Do you even know? You say time. For what? To decide if you love me? If you want to marry me? Or you’ve been single so long you needed stud service.” He shrugged his arm away and stepped to the door. “When you make up your mind, let me know. I’m going to get a drink.”
Tears flooded down her cheeks. “That’s a cruel thing to say. You know you mean more to me than stud service.”
“I thought I did. Now I’m not so sure.”
“Please, Ridge. Don’t go. Let’s talk about this. I don’t want you mad at me.”
Her request stopped him. “Don’t you understand? I’m not angry. I’m hurt. I guess I should have had you promise not to break my heart.”
Chapter Twenty-seven
Exhausted from crying, Tizzy fell into an uneasy sleep. She didn’t know when Ridge came to bed, but now, lying next to him, she heard the rhythm of his breathing. When she shifted her body, he reached out and spooned her into him.
Opening her eyes, it took a moment to adjust to the darkness. Someone laughed beyond the door. Dishes clanked. The elevator dinged. A wheel squeaked as it rolled past. For a minute, her head was fuzzy, then she remembered the argument, and once again, tears came. She tried to blink them away, but they streamed down the side of her face and fell onto her pillow.
What was she going to do? What did she know about him? He was attractive. Wonderful with Gracie. A dynamite kisser. A good man. Her brain spun to process all his attributes.
What if he squeezed the toothpaste in the middle? What if he had some weird habit or a deep, dark secret from his past? Or worse—what if he was a Democrat?
She worked to force the thoughts away. His hand slid from her waist, and he rolled over, sat up, and swung his feet to the floor. He stayed there a minute as if trying to clear his head, pounding no doubt, from his late trip to the bar. Serves him right. Finally, he went into the bathroom.
As soon as the shower started, she jumped up, pulled on her jeans, grabbed two tee-shirts from her luggage, and layered them on. Next, she strapped on her silver metallic sandals and gathered her hair into a ponytail. She wouldn’t bother with make-up, she’d not seen the last of her tears, so why go to the trouble?
When the bathroom door opened, Tizzy’s heart raced. He was naked except for a towel wrapped around his waist. His body still moist, his hair damp, and his face unshaven. She wanted to go to him. Apologize, yet give him a swift kick. He deserved it for tricking her into meeting his family.
“Morning,” he mumbled.
Her chest ached. She gathered her wits and willed her voice not to quiver. “I guess we’re speaking?”
“Why wouldn’t we be?”
Her response came in a whisper. “After last night, I wasn’t sure. Are you mad at me?”
He moved to the end of the bed and sat across from her. Resting his arms on his legs, he leaned forward and lifted his head to look at her. “No. Let’s go get something to eat, and we can talk.”
Too early for the breakfast crowd, they had their choice of seating in the restaurant. Ridge chose a corner table, and the waitress approached. “Nice to see you again.”
He smiled up at her. “You, too, Fern.”
The waitress laid down the menus and left.
Tizzy opened hers and tried to read the selections, but she couldn’t concentrate on food when all she wanted was to hear what Ridge had to say. He tipped the folder down. “What would you like?”
I’d like to go back to the way things were. Have you hold me—and, slap your face for setting me up. I’d like for the case to never end so you’d never leave. “The Belgian waffle sounds good.”
Fern reappeared with a coffee pot, turned up their cups, and filled them. “Y’all ready to order?”
“Yes. The lady will have the Belgian waffle with strawberries and extra whipped cream. I’ll have the Southwest Omelet.”
Fern took the menus and walked away.
Tizzy reached across the table and touched his hand. “Do you think just for today we can pretend last night didn’t happen?”
She stroked his fingers for a moment before he pulled them away. “No. I can’t pretend I don’t love you. But I respect you’re not ready. I won’t pressure you. I’ll back off. I understand I can’t make you feel something you don’t.”
Black spots danced in her eyes. Her lungs burned. “Exactly what do you mean when you say you’ll back off? You don’t want to see me anymore?”
“We’ll still see each other. Just not as much.”
There was sadness in his eyes. She looked away and tried to take in the full weight of his words. “No more stud service?”
Fern set the plates in front of them. “Y’all enjoy.”
Ridge waited until they were alone again and leaned forward. “I shouldn’t have said that. It was cruel. I’m sorry. But you need to sort out how you feel about me before we get more involved.”
Tizzy could tell by his tone he decided they’d talked enough about the subject. Damn fool man. How could they get to know each other better if they didn’t spend time together? She’d show him. She’d spent the last five years alone, and she could go right back to it. She’d abandoned her morals for him, put her soul on the highway to hell. He could at least keep sleeping with her and make the trip worthwhile.
She moved her food around on her plate but didn’t eat much. She’d lost her appetite. Ridge didn’t speak again. So much for not being mad. His expression told her everything she needed to know. He was done with her. He’d
lied when he said he wouldn’t break her heart because it was shattered.
At least the trip wasn’t a total loss. Surely, he appreciated getting to drive the Vette. A small consolation, but she’d never let another man drive it, so that was something for him to remember long after he’d forgotten her.
When they got to her parents’ house, her lungs were tied in a knot. Ridge transferred his luggage to his truck, then gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Goodbye, Tizzy.” He slid behind the wheel, started the engine, and drove away.
Her goodbye tripped on her tongue. She stared at the car until the taillights disappeared. Darkness closed in on her, and she cried.
Pattiecake opened the door, and Gracie ran to Tizzy. She wiped at her eyes and hugged Gracie tight. “Hey, sweet girl. This bag is for you. Why don’t you take it inside and find out what you’ve got?” Tizzy faced her mother. “Can I spend the night here?”
“Oh, honey. What’s wrong? Did you and Ridge have a fight?”
Tizzy fell into her mom’s arms and sobbed. “We broke up.”
~~*~~
On the way home from Dallas, Ridge wanted to talk, but his heart had lodged in his throat, or at least a piece of it because it was broken. She was right. They barely knew each other, but what he felt was more than lust.
He’d been wrong to make the stupid remark about stud service. He’d hurt her and regretted it. She’d waited a long time to give herself to another man and wouldn’t have if she’d not felt something for him. Even though she’d not said it, that’s how he knew she loved him. It was also the reason he hadn’t considered a rejection of his proposal.
Springing his family on her was a bad decision, but what was done, was done. Time to move on with a new plan. He only had two more weeks to make things right, and he would. Didn’t know how yet, but he wouldn’t leave Brownsboro without putting that ring on her finger.
He loved her more than he thought possible. At the end of every day, he couldn’t wait to see her. Talk to her. Tease her and have her tease back. She was the first thing he thought of each morning and the last thing at night. Waking up with her made his life better. Up until a few hours ago, he couldn’t remember ever being this happy. Now he couldn’t recall being this miserable.
He parked in the drive at Browning House and killed the engine.
He’d give her the time she asked for. See how she liked not having him in her life. Not to punish her, but to make her admit she was in love with him. Because she was. If she didn’t come around in a week, he’d—what? He didn’t know, but he’d wager she didn’t make it that long. Gracie loved him. Her whole family loved him. Everybody except Dan, but he was just one vote.
He stared across the yard at Tizzy’s empty house, and his heart sank. This would be harder than he thought. She’d become such a big part of his life in a short amount of time and knowing he couldn’t see her tied him in knots. But he had to stick to his plan. It’s the only way she’d come to terms with her feelings.
~~*~~
For the next two days, he went through the motions of working the case, but Tizzy was never far from his thoughts. After the third sleepless night, Ridge stumbled out of bed, dressed, and just as he poured himself a second cup of coffee, Rita called.
The kid from the bakery, Freddy Holt, wanted to talk to Ridge about becoming a ranger. As much as he wanted to put the boy off, Ridge had promised to make time for him. And, on the bright side, since Freddy worked with Tizzy, maybe Ridge could get some information concerning her frame of mind. He hoped she was as miserable as he was.
Upon arriving at the station, Ridge found Freddy already waiting in the break room. A good sign. The kid seemed anxious to get the details.
“Good morning, Freddy.”
Ridge strode to the coffee pot. “You want a cup?”
“No, sir.”
Ridge helped himself, then slipped into the chair across from the boy. “Let me go over the basics first, then if you have questions, I’ll try to answer them.”
“Okay.”
Ridge sipped his coffee. “To join the Texas Rangers, you have to be a state trooper.”
Freddy straightened in his chair. “I didn’t know that. For how long?”
“At least twenty-eight months with the DPS, but you need a total of eight years’ experience in law enforcement before you can apply.”
“Eight years? That’s a long time.”
“And—earned sixty college credit hours to qualify for state trooper.”
Freddy scrunched his face. “That’s like getting a degree, so that’s four more years.”
Ridge leaned forward and rested his arms on the table. “My suggestion would be to start locally. Maybe apply for deputy or city police officer. Even so, to qualify for that job, you’ll need at least an associate degree. Do you have any college credits?”
“No.”
“I understand there’s a good junior college in Athens. That’s a short commute for you. My advice is to let that be your first step.”
“So it’d be at least two years before I could arrest any bad guys?”
“Fraid so.”
“Damn.”
“If it’s the career you want, it’s worth the effort.”
“I think I’d be good at it because I’ve always been good at solving puzzles.”
“This one’s a puzzle for sure.”
“If you don’t solve it, will it become what they call a cold case?”
“It will.”
“And you’ll go back to Dallas?”
“I suppose, but I intend to solve it.”
“You think you’re close?”
For the last two days, Ridge had replayed every possible scenario of the case and still come up short. Freddy’s questions reminded him the clock was ticking, but he wasn’t about to admit it to the boy.
“Getting there. Say, I notice Tizzy hasn’t been home in the last few days. Is she okay?”
“She hasn’t been at work either. I don’t know what’s going on. I should probably go out to her momma’s house and check on her.”
“I’m sure if it was anything serious, Pattiecake would have said something—right?”
“I guess.”
Freddy stood. “Thanks for the information. Good luck with the case.”
Ridge didn’t remember telling Freddy goodbye. All he could think about was Tizzy. What if all he’d been was a fling? No. Couldn’t be. She had feelings for him. He was sure of it. But what if she’d decided a long-distance relationship wasn’t worth the effort.
The thought landed in his head like a rock. The answer was clear. He needed to change that. He’d write up a transfer request tonight, and if things went his way, Brownsboro would be his new home.
Chapter Twenty-eight
Almost a week passed, and somehow, Tizzy dragged herself out of bed each morning and went to work. She’d stayed at her parent’s house since returning from Dallas, easier than being at home with Ridge a stone’s throw away. In seven more days, he’d be gone, and she could forget all about Ridge Cooper, wonderful man, world’s best kisser, perfect daddy material. Or could she?
She and Gracie, along with Cuddles, snuggled close and buried deep into the feather mattress. Tizzy fell asleep quickly, but woke early, more depressed than ever. She sat up and covered her face with her hands. She couldn’t force herself to go another day pretending everything was wonderful when it wasn’t.
Cuddles stretched her body out like a furry rubber band, laid back, licked her paw, and washed her face.
Tizzy stared down at her. “I hate him. I know he was your savior, but I hate him.” Cuddles looked up and meowed as if she doubted Tizzy’s statement. She stroked the cat’s head with her finger. “Okay, maybe I don’t. I just wish I could.”
She slipped into her jeans, pulled on her tee-shirt, and slid her sandals between her toes. Twisting her uncombed hair to the top of her head, she secured the mess with a giant clip.
She eased down the hall, took a pen
and pad from the kitchen, and wrote a note that said she wouldn’t be at work. Next, she grabbed two bottles of Perrier-Jouet left from Bubba and Rayann’s party and retrieved the box of Godiva chocolates she’d bought for her friend. Tizzy angled herself behind the wheel of the Vette and rolled out of the drive. Once she reached CR 1030, she shifted gears and spun out, feeling the power of the car racing at high speed. The way it hugged the road and handled the curves exhilarated her.
To hell with Ridge Cooper. I don’t need him. I don’t want him. I don’t love him. She kept repeating the thought until she drove past the cemetery.
The familiar sound began as a low rumble and built to a roar. Voices screamed, their words all jumbled together.
“Ranger—whore—ranger—whore.”
She pulled into her garage and shouted, “Stop it! Not now. Not today.” She rocked back and forth against the seat. “Stop! It’s over! I’m not with him anymore.” She adjusted the radio to drown them out.
She zipped inside, uncorked the champagne, and took a long hard swig, then set it on the counter. Undressing as she flew down the hall and into the bathroom, she turned the spigot to fill the tub. Back in the kitchen, she stared across the room at Boone’s picture hanging near the fireplace.
Tizzy wedged the candy under her arm and gripped the bubbly in both hands. She drank again and stood beneath the frame. “What are you gawking at? This is all your fault. If you hadn’t gone and joined the military, I wouldn’t be in this mess. Oh, and just so you know, Carla told me all about you and her.” She tilted the bottle up again.
“I’m furious, Boone. You left me. You slept with Carla.” She took another gulp. “Oh. My. God. I’ve shared a penis with Carla Ferguson!” Tizzy set the Perrier-Jouet down and snatched the picture off the wall. She jerked open the desk drawer and shoved it inside, then slammed it shut.
Two more drinks. She pulled the drawer open again, and Boone glared up at her. “I’ve been sleeping with a Texas Ranger.” She banged the drawer, then brought the picture into view once more. “I’m not Little Miss Goody Two-shoes anymore.” She slammed the drawer once more and went to the bathroom.