by Jane Jamison
I’ll bet he’s good with all the girls.
“I could never ride a big animal like a bull. It would scare me to death. Do a lot of cowboys get hurt?”
“A few.” Jarrod didn’t glance at her as his gaze darted from the road ahead then back to the mirror.
“Then why do you do it?” She liked listening to both their voices. There was a hint of a southern drawl to their accents that made the velvet richness even sexier.
Seth shrugged. “Because it’s fun.”
“Oh, yeah. Real fun. You ride a bull for seven seconds and then you end up face down in a pile of shit.” She giggled. “Sounds like a great time.”
Jarrod shifted, his attention zeroing in on her. “Did you see me ride?”
Had she said something wrong? “Um, I heard a few people talking.”
He groaned. “Shit. They were talking about me? About my ride?”
“Yes. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring it up. It was a tough ride, I guess.”
He’d tightened up again, a sour expression on his face. Oh, crap.
“Yeah, you could say so. And for the record, I did not land with my face in a pile of shit.”
She rammed her elbow into Jesse’s side, but it didn’t make him stop laughing. She doubted he would, especially with Seth laughing almost as hard. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. So I guess seven seconds isn’t very good, huh?” Why was she still talking about it? And yet, she kept putting her foot in her mouth.
He fixed those steely brown eyes on her again. “Anything under eight seconds and the rider doesn’t earn any points.”
“Just eight seconds. Damn, man. Even I could hold on for eight seconds.” Jesse snorted.
“Oh, shit. You shouldn’t have said that.” At least Seth’s laughter had calmed down to a chuckle.
For a moment, she thought Jarrod would reach across her and punch Jesse. Thankfully, he kept his cool.
“I’ll tell you what. I’ll find a bull for you to ride. If you can stay on him for more than five seconds, I’ll eat my hat.”
Jesse sat up straighter. “You’ve got a deal, man.”
She knew her brother well enough to know when he was bluffing. And he was bluffing big-time now. There was no way he’d get on the back of a bull. And no way she’d let him.
Jarrod chuckled. “Okay, then, I’ll set it up.”
“The hell you will.” She widened her eyes, giving Jarrod a look he couldn’t misinterpret. Once again, she’d jumped in to save her brother.
Jarrod didn’t reply. Instead, he put his attention back on the road. They rode in silence for several miles.
“So are you two originally from Selena?” Seth was changing the subject, trying to get past the tension built up from the bull riding discussion.
“For a few years. Our parents moved us around when we were kids, but once I got old enough, I got a place of my own. Jesse lives with me, off and on.” Whenever he can’t keep enough money to pay rent for a small, filthy studio apartment. “We’ve been on our own for a while now.”
“And what do you do for a living?”
“I’m a waitress.” Or, at least, she used to be. “But I’d like to go to nursing school.”
“And you?” Jarrod tossed a questioning look at Jesse. Yet from the tone in his voice, he’d already come up with the answer.
Jesse gave his standard line. “This and that.”
In other words, whatever he could get until he either got fired or quit. Jarrod’s noncommittal grunt said he’d guess right. And that he wasn’t surprised.
“You’re on your own then?”
“Yeah. I do all right.”
Whenever he doesn’t screw things up.
“Do you have any other family, Amy? Someone who might take you two in?”
“No. It’s just us. I doubt our parents would want us.” Actually, she had no doubt in her mind they wouldn’t. They’d said as much several times.
“So what’d you do to piss those guys off? Steal money? Short them on their drugs?”
She closed her eyes, then opened them and waited for Jesse to answer. She wouldn’t lie, but she didn’t want to throw him under a bus, either.
“None of your business.”
“Please, Jesse. Be nicer. I don’t want to end up on the side of the road.”
“I won’t put you out, Amy.” Jarrod added, “But I’m not making any promises about Jesse.”
“Fuck you, man.”
“Is that your standard answer, Jesse? Or is it only for the people who help you out?” Seth tipped his hat back, his easygoing nature gone, his body tense.
They were getting irritated, and she couldn’t blame them. Jesse was a hard one to get along with when he was in one of his moods. Embarrassed, she wanted to slide into the floorboard and disappear under the seat. Maybe then her brother would learn to be civil.
“I don’t like anyone up in my business, is all.”
“I’m not up in your business.” Jarrod jerked his head at the special oversized side mirror that extended far enough away from the truck to see behind the trailer. “But when I’ve got a black Range Rover following my ass for the past five miles, I deserve to know why.”
Sure enough, a black car coasted several yards behind the horse trailer, changing speeds as they did. The tension that had started to ease came back full force.
She stretched out, trying to see the mirror on the passenger side of the pickup. “It has to be them. But how’d they find us?” Had they seen them hitch the ride? But that didn’t make sense. If they had, why hadn’t they shown up sooner?
“Right now it doesn’t matter. Maybe they didn’t buy my story that I hadn’t seen you. Or they could’ve followed us long enough to see us at the rest stop.” Jarrod kept checking the mirror. “I’m going to have to lose them. If I can. It won’t be easy pulling a horse trailer.”
He kept his attention elsewhere, but they knew who he was talking to. “I’d like to know why I’m going to have to put the rest of us, not to mention my horses, in danger. Now’s the time to tell me or I’m liable to slow down and shove you out the door, kid.”
“Naw, man, you can’t. They’ll fuck me up.”
Seth joined in pushing Jesse for an answer. “Only if you survive getting tossed out.”
“Come on, man. You can’t just throw me out.”
“You’re pushing your luck, kid. Start talking or get ready to taste pavement.”
She gaped at Jarrod. Was he just talking tough, trying to force an answer, or would he really do it?
“No. Don’t, man.”
The angry glint in Jarrod’s eyes sent a shard of fear into her. “Please, tell him, Jesse. Tell him or I will.”
“Okay, okay.” Jesse let out a curse. “I fucked with this guy’s girl.”
She twisted toward her brother. What the hell was he doing?
“With whose girl?”
“Ruben Bandura’s.” Jesse sank lower in his seat.
She tried to read him, but she couldn’t get past the fear. He sounded sincere, but with Jesse, that didn’t mean much. But which story was right?
“I fucked his girl and she told him. Now he’s out to get me. If you guys toss me out, you’re as good as killing me.”
She searched him, trying her best to tell if he was lying. One story had to be a lie, but which one?
“So who is this Bandura? A drug dealer?”
When Jesse didn’t answer, she did. “He’s a bad guy. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was into drugs and anything else that could make him money.” She stared pointedly at Jesse, but he jerked his gaze away from hers.
Jarrod fixed his gaze on the mirror again. “Well, one thing’s for certain, we’re not going to outrun them. I’m surprised they haven’t pulled up beside us to do a drive-by. And I’m sure as hell not waiting around until they do.” He pulled out his cell phone.
“What are you going to do? Are you calling the cops?”
“No, man. Don’t. It won’t do
any good.”
The plea in Jesse’s voice did more to rattle her than Jarrod’s promise to dump her brother. But what could she do?
“He’s not calling the cops.”
How did Seth know? “Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I’m sure. Right, bro?”
“No. Not yet, anyway. But I am going to even the odds.” He punched in a couple of numbers. “Hey, John, I’m not far from the truck stop and I’ve got some guys in a black Range Rover tailing me.”
He listened then glanced at Jesse. “Beats the hell out of me. Something to do with a couple of hitchhikers I picked up.” His expression got even grimmer. “Don’t give me a damn lecture. You don’t know all the facts and I don’t have time to tell you.”
Even then, with danger on their heels, she couldn’t help but think how strong and rugged he was. He filled up the space behind the wheel, his muscles flexing with even the smallest move. He was back in hero mode with his brother as the second hero.
“Think you can round up a few of the truckers and stage a little meet and greet?”
A meet and greet? What was he planning to do? Buy Ruben Bandura and his buddies a few beers and talk it over?
He listened a minute or so longer. “Yeah. Sounds like a plan. But get them together fast. The turnoff’s up ahead.” He ended the call and slid the phone onto the dashboard.
“What’s happening?”
“Just wait and see. But whatever you do, don’t get out of the pickup.”
“Jarrod, the gun?”
Jarrod shook his head at Seth. “Not yet. Let’s see how this plays out first. I don’t want to give them a reason to start trouble.” His eyes, so full of excitement and worry, met hers. “You okay?”
“I think so.” Yet her heart was beating so hard and fast, she was sure it would burst open. “Are they still behind us?”
“Yep.”
Her nerves banged against her insides. What if they caught up with them? What if they shot at them? Although she wanted to cling to Jarrod like a frightened school girl, she held her brother’s arm instead.
Jarrod maneuvered the truck and trailer onto a side road, made a turn, and then headed for John’s Truck Stop. Pulling into the parking lot set aside for eighteen wheelers, he waved to an older man standing outside the convenience store portion of the building. Once parked, he left the truck idling, then reached over and got the gun.
“I thought we were going to see how this plays out first.” Seth pulled his hat lower and sat up straighter, ready for action.
“Changed my mind. I’ll feel better with it in my hand.”
“Tell me you’re not going to shoot anyone.” Although Ruben and his gang deserved getting shot at after shooting up her apartment and chasing them, she wasn’t ready for bloodshed. She didn’t want anyone getting hurt. Especially not one of the Hill brothers or Jesse.
“Not unless I have to.”
“Then what?” Was he planning on taking on all of them? Were they going to run for it?
“I hope I don’t have to do much of anything. My friends are going to have a little talk with your friends. While they talk and delay them, we’re going to get the hell out of here.”
He stayed seated, watching as the Range Rover pulled up several yards behind the trailer. Four guys, all wearing black jeans and T-shirts got out of the car and started walking toward them. One of them had stretched earlobes and was covered with tats.
“Shit, man. It’s Bandura all right. Let’s get out of here. Now.” Jesse pulled his hoodie lower over his head.
Fear stiffened her neck. “We need to do something, Jarrod. We can’t just sit here.”
“Trust me. We’re safe.” He pointed at the mirror. “John will take care of your friends just fine.”
A group of men came up behind the gang. The older man from outside the truck stop put his fingers in his mouth and let out a loud whistle.
“Hey, fellas, can we help you?”
Jarrod and Seth appeared cool and collected. Yet once she saw the gleam in their eyes, she knew they were on edge, too. Not frightened, but tense and ready to go into action.
Ruben Bandura and his friends spun around to find themselves facing a group of ten very large men. Most of them looked like truckers and they were all armed with either handguns or baseball bats.
“Back off, old man. Stay out of our way and you won’t get hurt.” The gang leader pulled a gun out of his waistband, but kept the barrel pointed at the pavement even when the older men lifted theirs and pointed them directly at him.
John held his bat at his side. “Hey, now, everyone. Don’t go getting all excited. We just wanted to let you know we were here. We’re not looking for any trouble, but we won’t stand by and let it happen, either.”
“Come on, old man. You ain’t going to shoot anyone. Hell, I’ll bet your friends don’t even have bullets in their guns.”
John smiled. “There’s one way to find out.”
She wished she could’ve seen Bandura’s face. Even with his back toward her, she felt him tense up. But he kept his gun down.
The sound of a police car siren split the air.
“Shit. Let’s get out of here.” Bandura and his gang started for their car. He stopped then shouted their way. “This doesn’t end things, Jesse. I’m coming for you.”
“Son, I think you’d best be going.” John’s voice was controlled and filled with threat. The men in his group tucked their guns into their shirts while the others tossed their bats aside.
“That’s our cue to leave.” Jarrod handed the gun to Seth to put back in the glove compartment.
“But what about your friends?”
He pushed on the gas, taking it easy as he headed out of the parking lot. The state patrol cruiser darted past them, heading straight for Bandura and his friends.
“Don’t worry. The state police will handle things.”
She pushed against Jesse as they both tried to catch a glimpse of the gang. “Will they arrest them?”
“Most likely. I’m guessing they don’t have permits to carry their weapons. John’s friends do. And even if the police don’t haul them off to jail, they won’t catch up to us anytime soon. One of the truckers snuck around and let the air out of both their rear tires.”
He was right. The two troopers already had their guns trained on the gang. They shouted orders, telling them to put their guns down and get on the pavement facedown. The truckers had backed off and had gone inside the truck stop. John gave Jarrod and Seth a quick army-style salute, and Seth lifted his arm in a thank-you wave. In a matter of minutes, they were back on the road and driving away from the truck stop.
“I like your friends.” Her arms and limbs trembled as the tension flowed out of her. “Are you sure they’ll be okay?”
“Yeah. They’ll be fine. I recognized one of the troopers. John’s given him a few meals now and then. As for the rest of them? They’re good guys and, like I said, they have permits for their weapons. More than likely, they’ll tell the cops what they need to know then hit the road, too.” He eyed Jesse, clearly expecting him to say something. “You’re welcome, kid.”
For one of the few times in recent years, she heard her brother say thanks. She added her own. “Thank you so much.”
“For you? Anytime.” He checked the mirrors and the traffic, then settled into the seat, his body relaxing. “Like I told you before. We’re headed to Garner. From there you can hop on a bus.”
“Okay. Sure.” She hadn’t expected anything more, had she? The Hill men had already done so much for them. They’d even risked his lives and the lives of their friends, all for two strangers. She was relieved and grateful. If they hadn’t run into Seth and Jarrod, they’d never have gotten away from Bandura. And yet, an awful feeling of loss filled her at the thought of parting ways.
“We don’t have money for even one bus ticket, man.”
Jesse’s blatant attempt to get Jarrod to give them money for the bus embarrassed her. He’d pul
led the same tactic often enough, but it was more shameful now. “Jesse, stop. They’ve done enough for us.”
“Do you know where you’d go?”
She shook her head, suddenly needing to fight back the tears. “No. Anywhere, I guess.”
She was being foolish. She’d just met them and yet, she felt like she’d known them forever. They were the kind of men she’d always dreamed of meeting. The tall, handsome hero types she’d ached for. To think of them as heroes, especially ones she’d have time to know better, was fanciful thinking, thinking she needed to stop.
She had her brother to take care of. Family came first.
But when am I going to come first?
They’d barely gone another ten miles farther down the highway when he took another exit and drove onto a small one-lane road. He slowed down, taking care to navigate over the ruts that jostled them as well as the horses.
“Where are we going?”
“I’m taking you to our ranch.”
Her heart picked up speed as it betrayed her attempt to stop fantasizing. “Your home? Don’t you live in Garner?”
“A few miles outside of it,” answered Seth.
“But what about the bus station?”
Seth tipped his cowboy hat back. “I can guess what my brother’s thinking. You two won’t last a day on the road by yourselves. You can stay with us on our ranch for a while. It’ll give that Bandura character time to calm down and you time to figure out where you’re going. Once you do, we’ll help you get there. Right, Jarrod?”
“I figured it was the best idea.”
“Are you serious?” They’d really take her to their home? And Jesse, too? As hard as it seemed, they just got better and better.
Seth had one of those smiles that made her feel warm inside. Warm, safe, and hot between the legs. She crossed her legs and squeezed.
“Yeah. If that’s okay with you.”
“Uh, yeah. It’s more than okay.” She felt like it was Christmas morning and she’d found a puppy under the tree. Could there be anything better than hiding out with a couple of hot cowboys? Not only were the men amazing, but she’d always wanted to stay on a real working ranch. The day had taken a major upturn.