A Helluva Man

by Sable Hunter

  “Come up here before I change my mind and decide to stay.”

  “Yea, I like that idea.” She clung to his side, sad that he was leaving.

  “Temptation, thy name is woman.” He hugged her tight. “I’m busy this weekend, but I sure would like to see you again soon.”

  Tamara let out her breath in a little huff. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you about the new sponsors I have. I meet with one of them in St. Louis on Thursday, then I fly back here to attend a wedding at the home of another sponsor. Stallion Industries owned by Joseph McCoy. Any relation?”

  “Ha! Stallion Industries. Did you know that’s what they called Joseph when he played UT football, the Stallion? Funny thing, I watched him play and never knew until recently that Joseph is my first cousin.”

  “You’re kidding!”

  “No, long story, but our fathers were estranged. We just learned of our connection a few months ago. I’m going to the same wedding. Meet you there?”

  “Wonderful! It’s a date.”

  Jaxson gave her another big kiss and went on his way. “Be careful,” she called, following him to the door.

  He climbed into the truck and waved his hand. “I’ll phone you tonight. Be wearing something sexy!”

  Tamara waved back, then slowly shut the door. “Whew.” She hugged herself and leaned against the facing, a huge smile on her face. From where she stood, the future looked mighty bright.

  * * *

  After a whirlwind seven days, Tamara was ready to hold Jaxson once more. Yes, she was late. Her plane had an unplanned landing in Dallas after a warning light in the cockpit indicated a possible fire in the plane’s cargo area. There was no fire, thank goodness. For a few minutes, however, she’d wondered if she would live to see Jaxson again.

  “Tebow Ranch. Wow.” This place was magnificent. As she rolled through the gate, she could see the stately main house ablaze with lights. When she drew nearer, Tamara could see garlands of white flowers interwoven with ivory draped over the thick wooden bannisters and wrapped around the heavy stone posts. Tiny twinkling white lights were entwined among the branches of the giant oak trees dotting the landscape. “Looks like the whole place is decked out for a celebration.”

  She didn’t know a great deal about the Kerrville McCoys. Since speaking to Joseph, she’d done some research. Frankly, she wasn’t surprised to find out they were related to Jaxson and his family, the physical resemblance was evident once he brought their connection to her attention. Isaac, the brother who was the groom at today’s wedding, was an interesting character. He owned a bar called Hardbodies and was known to ride a motorcycle when he wasn’t riding a horse.

  According to Joseph, the wedding ceremony itself was being held at something called a ‘grand pavilion’ by a lake. “Rich people, must be nice.” Her father worked hard, they’d never wanted for anything, but no one could ever mistake them for rich people. She was doing well, but nothing like this. Jaxson’s family was well off too, although he referred to it as Texas rich, their wealth derived from land and cattle. ‘Not showy’ was the way he put it. She’d spoken to him every day since they’d spent the night together. Tamara couldn’t be sure how Jaxson felt, but she was falling more in love with every second that passed.

  By following the illuminated gas street lamps, Tamara wound her way through the ranch grounds until she spotted the pavilion near the river’s edge. A valet met her and offered to park her car and she gratefully relinquished the keys. “There’s a package in the back seat. Could you make sure it gets put on the gift table?”

  “Absolutely. Yes ma’am,” he told her.

  “Thank you.” Looking ahead, she could see dozens of gaily set round tables just waiting for the reception to begin. The whole vast vista of rolling hill country had been transformed into a romantic wonderland for this special occasion. Nervously, she soothed her palms down her simple pink lace sheath, hoping she was dressed well enough to blend in.

  As Tamara made her way to the enclosure where the ceremony was well underway, she kept her eyes open for anyone she might recognize. Upon arriving at the rear of the room serving as a chapel, she could see Isaac McCoy taking Avery Sinclair’s hand and looking deep into her eyes. The love they felt for one another was evident on their faces for all to see. Her heart contracted with longing, and she wondered if she and Jaxson would ever share such a moment.

  Standing on tiptoe at the back of the pavilion, she tried to spot Jaxson in the crowd. The attention of everyone in the room was centered on a woman performing a love song, Can’t Help Falling in Love, an old ballad made famous by Elvis Presley. Trying to remain unobtrusive, she scanned the rows and rows of people, looking for the one person in the world she most wanted to see.

  Dearly beloved, we are gathered together in the sight of God to join this couple in Holy Matrimony.

  Tamara’s skin felt a bit prickly, she felt as if someone was undressing her with their eyes.

  With this ring, I thee wed. With my body, I will worship yours.

  Bam! Just as the timeworn romantic saying went, their gaze met across a crowded room. “There you are.” Her fallen angel with navy blue eyes. She gave him a saucy wink and was thrilled by the smile he gave her in return. Where he was seated, there was no way she could join him without causing a disruption. She pointed over her shoulder and mouthed that she would meet him once the ceremony was over.

  After the vows were repeated, the singer crooned a George Strait number, I Cross My Heart, as the bride and groom lit a unity candle, taking two flames and making them one. When they finished and returned to their appointed place, the pronouncement was made that they were now one, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac McCoy. A burst of rowdy cheers rose as Isaac kissed his new wife. Before the recessional could start, Tamara slipped away, leaving room for the crowd to dissipate. From where she stood, she could see the wedding party. Her heart warmed when she saw the maid of honor was very pregnant.

  “Hey.”

  The whisper in her ear sent chills racing over her skin. She turned into Jaxson’s arms and hugged him tight. “Hey, yourself. How are you?” She ran her hands up his back, loving how warm and rock-solid he felt.

  “I’m better now.” Jaxson kissed her on the neck. “Weddings make me a tad uncomfortable.”

  Tamara giggled. “Poor baby. Are women hitting on you?”

  “Two mothers hauled over their old maid daughters to meet me. I feel like a gazelle at a lion’s club convention.”

  She nestled against his side. “Stay close to me, I’ll protect you.”

  Jaxson chuckled. “For some reason, I think you’re a little bit dangerous yourself.”

  She patted him on the chest. “Don’t think about it too hard, you’ll make your head hurt.”

  “I don’t want to go through the receiving line, do you?” Jaxson asked.

  Tamara worried. “No, let’s go sit down.” She pointed to an out of the way table. “How about over there?” He probably needed to get off that leg. “You just rest, and I’ll get us some punch. Be right back.”

  Heading toward the tables where the food was laid out, she witnessed a disturbance. “Oh, my goodness.” She couldn’t help but laugh when the lady serving the punch accidentally tossed a cupful right into Jaxon’s brother’s face.

  “Tamara?”

  Whirling around, she found Joseph McCoy behind her. “Oh, hey. Good to see you, Joseph.” She shook his hand. “Thank you so much for having me. The wedding was beautiful.”

  “I’m glad you could come.” He pointed toward the stairs leading to the parking area. “I have to go bring over a couple of briskets from the pit. Can we talk business a little later?”

  “Sure.” She gestured toward the tables. “I’ll be around when you get ready.”

  “I hate to leave you alone. Would you like me to take you to my where my wife is sitting?”

  “I’d love to meet her, Joseph. Actually, I know someone here.” She looked over her shoulder. “Your cousin Jaxson and I
are friends.”

  “Excellent!” He touched her on her shoulder. “I’m glad to know you’re in good hands. Don’t leave before we can talk. I have a couple of ideas I want to pass by you and I want you to meet my partner, Beau LeBlanc.”

  “I look forward to it.”

  He placed a hand on her back and guided her toward a bar area. “Why don’t you take Jaxson something a little stronger than punch?”

  “Thanks, I will.”

  “See you soon.”

  Tamara ordered two ice cold beers, then headed back to Jaxson. “How’s this?”

  “Perfect.” He popped the top on the can and took a big swig. “I saw you talking to Joseph.”

  “Yea, we’re going to get together a little later and talk business.” She settled into the chair next to him. “I saw a pretty lady throw a cup of punch on your brother, Heath.”

  Jaxson laughed in the midst of a sip and almost choked. “Seriously?” He craned his neck to look. “Who? That little brunette?”

  “Yes, that’s the one.”

  “Oh, she was giving him the eye earlier.” He rubbed his chin. “Hmmm. If he found someone to see regularly, maybe he wouldn’t be so damn grouchy.”

  “She was cute, she might be good for him.”

  Jaxson shook his head. “I don’t think Heath will ever get serious about anyone else. In his case, once burned is forever shy.” He pointed a few tables over. “That’s our lawyer, Zane Saucier. He’s the one representing Philip. The man he’s talking to is his brother, the Sheriff of Kerr County, Kane Saucier.”

  Tamara looked at the two striking men, then she noticed the dog sitting next to the lawyer. “Is Zane blind?”

  “Yea, he is.” Jaxson nodded, adjusting his dress black Stetson on his head. “Some chemical accident, I believe.”

  “How horrible.”

  “He’s a damn good lawyer, from what I’ve heard.” He let out a harsh breath. “We’re betting Philip’s life on it, anyway.”

  Tamara covered his hand. “Everything will be okay. Your brother is innocent. Justice will prevail.”

  “Yea, it has to.”

  He looked so sad, Tamara leaned over and gave him a kiss. “I know she has to be a McCoy wife, because that man she’s with looks very much like Heath. What’s the pregnant maid of honor’s name?”

  “Oh.” Jaxson chuckled. “That’s Libby, Aron’s wife. He’s Joseph’s oldest brother, the leader of the pack, I’d guess you’d say. She looks like she’s about to pop, doesn’t she?”

  “Yes, she does. She looks happy though.”

  Jaxson nodded toward the expectant couple, noting Aron’s hand laying gently on her distended middle. “They’re a lucky couple. Aron was kidnapped on their honeymoon.”

  “Oh, I remember hearing that!” Tamara exclaimed. “He had a diving accident and was picked up by a yacht.”

  “Right. By a female drug lord, no less.” He smirked. “I tease only because he’s home and okay, but the queenpin apparently thought he was too cute to throw back and decided to keep him. She gave him some synthetic drug, made him forget his own name.”

  “Oh, how sad.”

  “Obviously, his memory broke through to a degree. Enough that he started looking for a way to escape.” He patted himself on the chest. “I helped. I spotted him at a ranch in Mexico when I went down to buy a bull. Of course, I didn’t know him from Adam, but he looks a helluva lot like Heath.”

  “He sure does,” Tamara agreed.

  “After Zane figured out our two families were related, I remembered seeing this guy and I tipped them off where he might be.”

  “Wow, odd how things work out, isn’t it?” She curled her fingers around his. “How was your check-up?”

  He patted his knee. “Two more weeks and I’m going to chase you around the block.”

  “Ha! Who says I’m going to run?”

  Jaxson reached over and touched her nose. “Sometimes the chase is half the fun.”

  “Jax!” Ten stood a few feet away.

  “Yea, what’s up?” Jaxson asked, pulling out a chair. “Join us?”

  Ten didn’t move. “Could I talk to you a second?” He looked at Tamara. “Sorry to interrupt.”

  Jaxson stood. “Be right back, baby.”

  “Sure.” She sipped her drink as he moved a few feet away to speak to his brother. Tam could tell something was wrong, Tennessee appeared to be upset. She hoped nothing was seriously wrong. Pulling her phone from her purse, she checked her messages. Seeing a text from her mother, she answered it to let her know she’d made it back to the Austin area safely and was at the home of her sponsor, Joseph McCoy. Her mother supported her relationship with Jaxson, her father did not. So, just in case he was sitting by her mother, she didn’t mention they were meeting up.

  I’m safe. In Kerrville meeting sponsor. Will be home late. I’ll call you tomorrow.

  By the time she’d finished the text and replaced her phone, Jaxson returned to the table.

  “Anything wrong?” she asked.

  “I’d say good news and bad news, but I’m not certain which is which.” He dry-scrubbed his face, then placed a hand on Tam’s neck and massaged the muscles he knew were usually tight there. “Ten just got a call from his ex-wife. She says she’s pregnant and the baby is my brothers.”

  “Is it his? How long have they been apart?”

  “Apparently not long enough.” He shook his head. “Another long story, but they separated because he thought she was unfaithful. She denied it, says it was all a mistake. They were able to get an annulment fairly quickly in Mexico. Now, she says she’s going to have his baby.”

  “Wow. I guess he’s asked her to take a paternity test.”

  “I’m sure.” He drained his beer. “Zane just told Heath that Philip’s trial has been moved up.”

  “That’s good, though, right? Speedy justice?”

  “Yea, they’re working on his case. Noah found some thumb drive that belonged to the guy who died, they’re trying to search it for evidence that might point to someone else being the killer. The evidence they have on Philip is strictly circumstantial and speculation. They’re trying to prove the murder was due to a love triangle and a lost silver mine.”

  Tamara cleared her throat and laughed wryly. “You and your family lead such interesting lives.”

  “Oh, yea, and you don’t? Miss Olympic Ironwoman.”

  “I feel like I’m pretty boring most of the time.”

  “Hardly.” He clasped her hand and kissed it. “You know I’d dance with you if I could.”

  “You would?” She glanced over to where Isaac and Avery sat together, looking so happy. “I’d like that very much.”

  Suddenly, a commotion a few tables away brought everyone to their feet.

  “What in the world?” Jaxson wondered.

  They stared in the general direction of a gathering crowd. “I think it’s Libby.”

  About that time, Pepper came running past. “Hey, Tam!” She stopped to hug her quickly. “Libby’s in labor! We’re having twins!”

  His sister looked so thrilled that Jaxson laughed. “She’s not going to give you one, you know.”

  “I know, but I can’t help it. I love babies!”

  After she ran off to spread the news further, he shook his head. “She’s a handful.”

  “She’s delightful.” Tamara leaned her head on Jaxson’s shoulder. “Is she or Ryder dating anyone?”

  A sound that sounded suspiciously like a growl emanated from Jaxson’s throat. “They’d better not be.”

  “Awww, you can’t be that way, Jaxson. You want them to be happy.”

  He shook his head and sighed. “I think we’re safe for now. Ryder is busy with classes and horses. She’s a tomboy.” He pointed at Pepper who was still bouncing around the area, celebrating the approaching birth of Aron’s babies. “And that one has an unrequited crush on a singer, Judah James. So…I think we’re safe for a while.”

  “Judah James.”
Tamara smiled. “He’s good.”

  “Yea, I guess. If you like that kind of music.”

  About that time, a big man with long dark hair approached the table. “Excuse me. Tamara?”

  “Yes.”

  “Hello, I’m Beau LeBlanc.” He held out his hand to Jaxson who accepted it. “How are you tonight.”

  “We’re good,” Jaxson answered for them both, a touch of curiosity in his voice.

  “Good. Joseph asked me to give you a message,” he spoke to Tamara. “He went with his sister to the hospital. We were wondering if we could reschedule our meeting.”

  “Sure. There are more important things going on tonight than business.”

  “Yea, for sure.” He waved one finger in a circle in the air. “The whole Tebow clan left for the hospital to see the new babies come into the world. They told the guests to eat, drink, and be merry, and they’d send word when they had news. Even the bride and groom left to meet their new nieces or nephews.”

  “Just let me know when you want to meet,” Tamara offered.

  “Great, we’ll be in town for a few more days. I’ll call you.” He gave them a slight bow. “You two have a good evening.”

  Jaxson watched the big man leave. “Since you don’t have a meeting, are you ready to get out of here?”

  Tamara grabbed her purse. “I’m ready when you are.”

  “I rode with my family, so we’ll have to take your car.” Jaxson stood. “Let me tell one of them we’re leaving and not to expect me home tonight.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Tamara stood and waited for him to return. When he did, they joined hands and went out to inform the valet.

  While they waited for her vehicle, Jaxson pulled her close. “Want to know a secret?”

  “Yea, sure.” She leaned in to listen.

  “I like you, a lot,” he whispered, his warm breath tickling her ear.

  She whispered back. “I kinda thought you might.”

  “Oh, really?” He put an arm around her waist. “Am I that transparent?”

  She shook her head. “Well, you’ve got this tell.”

  He frowned, putting a hand to feel his backside. “I don’t have a tail.”