Prairie Heat (Cowboys of The Flint Hills #1)

by Tessa Layne

  The nurse’s lips curved up. “He came through surgery with flying colors. He’s a fighter.” The nurse stepped back, coming around the station to lead her to the room where her father lay. “What saved him was the CPR.”

  Maddie glanced sharply at Blake, but his face remained impassive.

  “Can I see him?” She stilled, hardly daring to breathe.

  Pity flashed in the nurse’s eyes, before the professional mask slipped back into place. “Of course, sweetheart, but you have to understand, he’s just come through major surgery. And while he did fine, he’s very frail.”

  Frail? No one ever used that word to describe her father. She blinked furiously. She would not let Blake see her in a moment of weakness. Yet his hand was immediately at the small of her back, offering nothing but steady support. She blinked again, pushing back the piercing rush of fear that clawed at her insides. “Let me see him, please.”

  The nurse ushered her toward a room on the other side of the station.

  A solitary light in the corner cast a golden glow over the room. While she’d braced herself, nothing prepared her for what she encountered. Her father was asleep and hooked up by tubes and wires to various machines. The worst, though, was the ventilator breathing for him. His skin looked the color of oatmeal.

  She slid a glance at Blake. “I thought you said he looked pretty bad.”

  He gave her a partial smile. “He looks like shit.” His smile grew a fraction.

  She stepped up to the head of the bed, and caressed his forehead with the back of her finger. His skin was cool.

  “Dad,” her voice thickened with emotion. “I’m here, Dad. I want you to get well, okay?” Grief stabbed through her, lodging in her throat. “I’ll come home more. I’ll stay longer, just…just..” She heaved a sigh, pushing her frames up her nose. “Just get well… please?” She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his brow. “I love you, Dad,” she murmured against his cool skin. “Don’t give up.”

  She had to get out of here. Now. She refused to break down in this room. In front of the nurses. In front of her family. In front of Blake, who was quietly waiting just outside the threshold.

  Brushing her cheeks with the back of her hand, she turned and pushed past him. She pushed through the double doors, blindly moving down the hall, turning at random intervals until she reached a dead end.

  She leaned forward into the wall, bracing herself. She would not cry. She would not cry.

  She. Would. Not. Cry.

  She never cried. Ever.

  Fear settled like metal into Maddie’s mouth, and hot tears welled behind her eyelids. She pushed her glasses forward and pinched the bridge of her nose.

  Strong hands turned her. Encased her in solid warmth. Life. A tear squeezed out. Then another. And another.

  Dammit.

  She shook her head against his chest, clutching his jacket like a lifeline.

  “Let it out, sweetheart,” he murmured above her ear.

  A sob ripped through her throat as tears slid unchecked down her cheeks. She hadn’t cried this much since Marcus. At least those tears had been shed in private.

  “That’s it, Maddie. It will tear you up if you hold onto it.” He held her tightly. Caressing her head as he continued to murmur softly. “Warren’s a cuss. He’s not gonna give anyone the satisfaction of dying anytime soon.”

  After a few moments, awareness seeped back into her body, along with the overwhelming urge to flee. Bracing her hands against the soft leather of his coat, she pushed away, stepping back.

  She steadied herself, taking off her glasses and brushing her hand across her eyes, before meeting his. What she found there mirrored her own turmoil.

  Pain.

  Sorrow.

  Compassion.

  She swallowed, looking away. “Thank you,” she uttered softly. “Thank you for… everything.”

  She had to get away. The way he was looking at her was entirely too…feely. She had to get back to her family. Put on her capable hat. Pushing out a sharp breath, she replaced her glasses and turned to find her way back.

  CHAPTER 6

  Blake snaked an arm out, capturing her elbow.

  Maddie turned, eyes filled with turmoil.

  “You’re not the only one who’s lost parents.” He couldn’t hide the rough edge in his voice. “I know what it’s like.”

  “But I refused to come home.” She shifted away, pinching the bridge of her nose again, obviously working to stave off more tears. He leaned back against the wall, giving her space and wrestling with what to say next.

  “My last conversation with Jake was…” he searched for words that would convey the ugliness of their last encounter without going into the lurid details. “Less than pleasant.”

  Did she notice he referred to him as Jake? Never ‘Dad’? Jake had never been a father. Not the kind he’d ever wished for, at least. She studied him intently, but continued to listen.

  “Jake had a way of treating people like they were disposable,” he elaborated after a moment. “I hated it. I called him out on it the last time we talked.” He sighed, lost in a memory so painful he’d pushed it to the recesses of his brain. “I regret… some… No.” He shook his head. “Much of what I said.”

  Maddie narrowed her eyes, pinching out two more tears in the process. His heart squeezed tighter at the sight. He opened his hand, but forced himself to not reach out and wipe them away.

  “Why are you telling me this?” She brushed the back of her hand across her cheeks.

  Why was he?

  Because he had the overwhelming urge to confide his darkest secrets to her? Right here, right now? What in the hell was wrong with him? She was a Hansen. He’d already dipped his toe in this stream with less than stellar results.

  “Why are you… why are you being so nice?” she finally blurted out.

  Because you wriggled your way under my skin. And you’re in pain.

  “Will you accept my apology if I offer it now?” Why did it matter so much that she accept his apology? She’d been just as difficult that night.

  After a long moment, she nodded.

  He reached out and pulled her into a loose embrace. “Maddie. I’m sorry I behaved badly in Chicago. I’d like to do what I can to be… neighborly… Something I think both our fathers had difficulty with.”

  Unable to resist her tears a second longer, he captured her face between his hands, wiping the wetness from under her glasses with his thumbs. Her eyes darted over his face, before finally meeting his.

  “Maybe we can change that?” he asked, afraid he might lose himself in the distraught depths of her sapphire eyes. Give in to the urge to kiss away her pain. “No one is an island.”

  The hypocrisy of his words hit him as they left his mouth. But he had burdens no one else should be forced to carry. And they didn’t matter in this situation. There was no way she’d ever discover them, so it was a moot point.

  All that mattered was offering Maddie a few words of comfort. A shoulder to lean on. Even in the face of her unwillingness to accept support. How different would his life be if someone, anyone, had been there for him in his hour of need?

  He dropped his hands. “You need rest.”

  She shook her head and stepped back, adjusting her glasses. The moment between them vanished. “I’m fine. I just need some coffee.”

  “You need sleep. You know as well as I do, you can’t make complicated decisions running on empty.”

  Her mouth set grimly. “Fine. I’ll nap in the waiting room.”

  “Let me drive you home.” He turned on the charm and flashed her a grin. “Please?”

  “Really. You’ve done enough. I mean if Dad… if Dad…” She blinked rapidly.

  He couldn’t help himself. He reached out and grabbed her hand, threading his fingers through hers. “He’s as stubborn as they come. He’ll pull through.”

  “Thanks to you.” She exhaled a shuddering breath.

  His gut twinged at the angu
ished look on her face. “Let me take you home,” he repeated. “I promise I’ll bring you back first thing.”

  She quirked a half smile as she narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “What’s in it for you?”

  He grinned. “The satisfaction of seeing the look on your father’s face when he realizes I probably saved his sorry ass.”

  That earned him a laugh. And a rueful smile.

  A throat cleared at the end of the hall. “Now that you two love-birds have had your moment, can I ask a question?” Gunnar stood leaning against the corner, holding Maddie’s bag, barely concealing a knowing smirk.

  Awesome.

  How long had he been standing there? Maddie’s eyes rounded and she quickly untangled their fingers, dropping his hand like it was a red hot branding iron. Damn Gunnar’s timing.

  Blake jammed his hands in his pockets and nodded. “Ask away.”

  Gunnar tilted his head at Maddie. “Maddie Jane, doc says to go home and come back tomorrow. They expect him to be fine overnight. No use watching the pot boil. Sinclaire, you follow in my truck?”

  He nodded, relieved Gunnar hadn’t challenged him.

  “Now wait just a minute–” Maddie began, her voice laced with indignation.

  “Don’t be heroic, cuz. Your presence won’t change the outcome.”

  She opened her mouth to disagree, then snapped it shut, the fight visibly leaving her body.

  “Now gimme some sug, and I’ll catch up with you tomorrow.” Gunnar reached them in two steps, dropping her bag, and leaned down to give her a peck on her upturned cheek.

  “Blake?” He extended his hand.

  That was a first. But when he took it, Gunnar leaned in and whispered. “Take advantage of her, and your ass is mine.” He stepped back, smiling. The smile didn’t come close to reaching his eyes.

  Not that he’d take advantage of a woman, ever. That wasn’t how he rolled. But he knew how the town gossip mill worked and respected the sentiment. Loud and clear. He pushed off the wall and grabbed her bag, resisting the urge to turn around and offer her his hand. With anybody else, he would have.

  A harsh laugh practically burst from his throat. Like there had been anybody else for a long time. Not in nearly twelve years thanks to Kylee Ross. Pushing those thoughts aside, he waited at the corner for her to catch up, and ushered her back through the series of turns to the bank of elevators.

  As they stepped through the main doors into the cool night air, she shivered. She’d tried to hide it, but he didn’t miss it.

  “Wait.” He stopped under the lamp post, dropping her bag to remove his jacket.

  She shook her head. “Oh no. Really. I’m fine. I’ll just grab something from the attic when I get home.”

  “What did Gunnar say? Don’t be a hero? You should listen to him,” he challenged gently. “Do me the courtesy of letting me be a gentleman.”

  Her spine stiffened, but she didn’t object. Flattening her lips, she nodded, and accepted his proffered coat. “Thank you,” she murmured.

  He opened the door of the truck and extended his hand. This time there was no showdown. She took his hand and allowed him to help her up.

  Something white hot and possessive flared and puffed inside him. If he was anywhere else but a hospital parking lot, he’d have her pressed up against the seat with his hands running over her.

  Wrong place, wrong time.

  He shook himself, and gently shut the door, walking slowly around to the driver’s side in the hopes his sudden flagpole would calm down. It was a big enough deal he’d convinced her to let him drive her back to town. He turned the ignition and pulled out of the lot.

  “Do you want the radio?”

  She shook her head. “No, thank you. I’m fine with the quiet.”

  She looked frail and vulnerable, hunched in the corner of the cab, wrapped in his coat. More like the scrawny teenager he remembered than the strong, sassy woman he’d met recently. His gut twisted at the difference.

  “Gunnar’s right, you know. Worry won’t change the outcome.”

  She turned her face toward him, the light from the street lamps casting her features in stark relief. Anguish etched across the plains of her face. But she nodded her agreement.

  “Why don’t you tell me about your work at Fermilab?” Anything to keep her talking.

  She stifled a laugh. “Are you sure? I wouldn’t want you to fall asleep while you’re driving.”

  “I’m not the village idiot.”

  “How long has Fermilab been a client?”

  Just like Warren, answering a question with a question.

  “Three years.”

  “And have you asked about any scientist’s research in that time?”

  Damn she was good. She’d turned the tables instantly.

  “Nope.” He grinned. “But none of them was a beautiful scientist from my hometown.”

  Out of the corner of his eye he could see her jaw drop, then snap shut. Ha. “Why do you operate under the assumption that no one but you is interested in your work?”

  She remained silent a minute, as if wrestling with what she really wanted to say. In the end she shrugged, adjusting her glasses. She had no idea it was her tell.

  “My research is in a very specialized area of particle physics. There are less than fifty people in the country who do what I do. It’s highly complicated.”

  “And?” He refused to let her off the hook.

  She huffed, and stared out the window for a moment. “Why do you care?” Bitterness laced her words.

  “I don’t.” He shrugged, entertained at the offense she took. “Get off your high horse before you get your panties in a twist, Maddie.”

  She scowled and pulled his jacket tighter. God, he loved yanking her chain. He’d pull over the truck and kiss her silly if Warren wasn’t hanging over them like a specter.

  “You’re nothing special. No more than anyone else. You’re smart. So am I. You have an interesting career. So do I. Get over this idea that you’re so special no one gets you.”

  She stiffened. “Well it’s true.”

  “What’s true?”

  “No one gets me.”

  “Get over yourself.”

  She pushed her glasses up her nose. He’d gotten to her, all right. A small flash of guilt fluttered through him. He shouldn’t push her this way. Not tonight. Not with Warren lying in the hospital.

  He reached his arm across the back of the seat, resting it on her shoulders. She shrugged it away. “Come on, Maddie, lighten up.”

  She turned, glaring at him.

  “Lighten up? You want me to lighten up?” Her voice held an edge of hysteria. “My father’s life is hanging in the balance and you want me to get over myself and lighten up? F-f-f-fuck. You.”

  His breath caught in his throat, and for a moment the only sound in the cab was the rumble of the engine. Then he threw back his head and laughed. Full bellied.

  He slammed on the brakes and pulled the car to the side of the road. “Warren is going to be fine. Did you not hear what the nurse said?”

  Unbuckling his seatbelt, he turned and leaned over. In the dim light of the dashboard, her eyes were huge orbs behind her glasses. He reached out the back of a finger and caressed her cheek. Silky smooth and warm. Just like he imagined the rest of her was. Her lips parted slightly as her breath hissed in at his touch.

  “You better practice those cuss words more often if you’re going to use them, Maddie Jane.”

  Her tongue flicked out and her teeth came down on her lower lip, her eyes never leaving his face. His cock sprung to life in his jeans.

  “You do that again, and I’m going to have to kiss you.” He couldn’t keep the rough edge from his voice.

  Her eyes widened, and the pulse at her throat thrummed wildly. She half-smiled. “Do what again?”

  Shit.

  His cock twitched at her tone of voice.

  She would never back down. She was a Hansen for chrissakes. Did he really want t
o go there? He couldn’t seem to help it when he was near her. Like she’d cast some magic spell over his cock.

  And his brain.

  “I’ve been where you are. Know the kind of steam you need to let off to clear your head.” He caressed her cheek again, unable to be this close and not touch her. “Only two options. Fighting or fucking. Which do you want?”

  Heat flared in her eyes.

  He’d bet his last beer she’d die before she said fucking. He was ninety percent sure that’s what she wanted. He sure as hell did.

  He was an ass for challenging her this way, but he’d be damned if he’d kiss her again until she begged for it. Not after what happened last time. He held her gaze another moment, letting his question hang in the air between them.

  Pushing away the rush of disappointment that ballooned in his chest when she remained silent, he turned and rebuckled himself. He hadn’t expected her to admit she wanted him. Had he? He could see it written on her face. Even in the dark. He’d wanted her to admit it. To admit he had some kind of effect on her. To admit she wanted him as much as he wanted her right now.

  Damn her beautiful, stubborn Hansen ass. He pulled back onto the road and they drove the remaining distance in silence. It wasn’t until they coasted to a stop at Prairie’s one blinking stoplight that she spoke. The empty street looked like a ghost-town at this hour of the night.

  “You can drop me off at my dad’s.”

  He turned to her, glaring. “The last thing you need to be is alone.”

  Her lip pouted. It would be adorable if it wasn’t so infuriating.

  “How do you know?”

  He blew out an exasperated breath. “Because I’ve been where you are,” he bit out. “But if you insist on going home, I’ll sleep on the couch. I’ll just need to stop by the ranch first.

  “You don’t have to do that. I’m very–”

  “Maddie. Stop arguing and let me help you.”

  Prairie’s lone officer, Travis Kincaid, pulled up behind them and flashed the police lights.

  Great. How long would this take to get around town tomorrow? He rolled down the window and motioned for Travis to pull forward.

  “Sinclaire, what in the hell is going on?”