by Vella, Wendy
She couldn’t help it, she laughed. Even injured and pathetic he was flirting, and she loved it, and that right there was the problem. The guy just pushed all her buttons. She loved the way he looked and spoke, loved the way he talked dirty to her. There was no way in hell she would ever act on it…not ever, but it was fair to say that Ethan Gelderman was possibly her ideal man.
“So I want notes, Annabelle, and pictures if you can manage it, because I’ve never been to Texas, or met any of his family, so you can be my eyes and ears.”
“Sure thing, Jake. I’ve got it covered.” She reached out a hand and pushed the hair back from Ethan’s forehead, simply because she could and because he looked a bit lost and vulnerable. The big, strong Texan wasn’t quite so big and strong right at that moment.
“You going soft on me, Smith?”
“It’ll pass.”
“Shame,” he sighed, looking into her eyes. “I kind of like the idea of you going all soft over me.”
Jake snorted behind them, thinking that Ethan was making a joke, but Annabelle knew different. The look in those blue eyes was not an amused one; in fact, it was deadly serious, and that scared her enough to move to Jake’s side and start helping him.
They worked quickly and had Ethan patched up minutes later. Jake had given him a shot and written a prescription for some painkillers and antibiotics.
“I’ll watch him tonight, Annabelle, and make sure he’s not going to go all weak and faint or anything. Then I’ll send him home tomorrow so he can get his suit cleaned in time for you to arrive next week,” Jake said, helping Ethan up off the bed.
“Do you want me to fly back and get you, Annabelle?” Ethan looked at her, and she fought the urge to touch him again. He was pale and shaky and she wanted to wrap her arms around him and cuddle him, but instead she dug her toes into her shoes and stayed right where she was.
“Buster’s got to go to Hope for supplies or something, so he’s driving me, but thanks, Ethan.”
“Okay,” he said as they made their way out to reception. “But if you come to your senses and want to pull out, then just let me know.”
“I won’t,” she said. “Because these guys are relying on me to snoop out all the information I can on your family.”
He turned to look at her and she saw that he wasn’t smiling. In fact, he looked like she usually did when someone asked her things about her family.
“In that case, I’m pretty sure you should stay here in Howling, because believe me, there will be nothing good to report.”
He walked away from her then, and out the clinic’s front door, leaving Jake and Annabelle watching him.
“Look out for him, will you, Annabelle?” Jake said, brushing a kiss against her cheek. “He’s always been there for me, especially that one time when I really needed him."
“Sure thing,” Annabelle said remembering the story Branna had told her about Ethan getting Jake out of a building, that was being bombed when they were in they army together.
Walking back into the treatment room she wondered just what the hell was waiting for them in Texas, and whether she should take Ethan’s advice and pull out now.
“It’s a strange thing, you and Tex heading to a wedding in his home town, Annabelle.”
Buster Griffin was taking a rare day off and driving to Brook. Annabelle was seated beside him because today she and Ethan were flying to Texas to his sister’s wedding.
“It’s even stranger that you left off your apron for the day, Buster.”
His lips moved slightly, just a small twitch that suggested he was smiling. “Have to do shit, Annabelle. Shit that can’t be put off any longer.”
“Well, I have to go with Ethan because I owe him, and you know how I feel about owing people stuff.”
“So you want to tell me why you owe him and what’s been biting you lately?”
“Nothing’s been biting me.”
“Annabelle, I’ve known you since before you were potty trained. I can tell when you’re not right.”
She looked out the window at the scenery flashing by the car.
“I haven’t told anyone this, but he sold my car for me.”
“Why’d you have to sell it so fast that you couldn’t come to me or Jake?”
He was a smart man, Buster Griffin. She just sometimes forgot that because he was so quiet.
“I’m not big on confiding, Buster. You know that.”
“Me either.”
Buster also understood the power of silence. He just said what he thought needed saying, then shut up. Annabelle hated silence; she constantly felt she needed to fill it.
“It’s Coop,” she blurted out. “But I can’t tell you about it until I talk with Zach, okay?”
“He’s the reason you sold your car?”
“Kind of.”
“You could have come to me for help, you know that. Me, Jake, Branna, Newman, Cubby… Hell, Annabelle, there’s so many of us who would do anything for you.”
“Yeah, I know, but it all happened so quickly, and I was…” How could she tell Buster that she didn’t want anyone’s pity, and that she wanted Cooper’s reputation to stay intact in Howling? “I just needed the money and Ethan told me he could sell my car, which he actually didn’t, but that’s another story. That’s the reason why I’m going to his sister’s wedding.”
“I’m gonna be real angry if you don’t come to me next time, Annabelle. You got that?”
“Got it.”
“All right, then.”
“How about you? You okay, Buster?”
“Yup, peachy,” Buster said. “I actually managed to fool Branna this week. She never guessed even one of the ingredients in my mystery muffins.”
“Nice work.”
They were about ten minutes out from Brook. The day was cooler so Annabelle had worn a jacket over her jeans. Her boots had heels because she needed to make sure the Texan couldn’t look down at her.
“You guys flying out right away?”
“Pretty much, I think. Ethan said he wants to get there before dark,” Annabelle added.
The city of Brook was pretty, bigger by a long way than Howling, and had plenty of shops and fast food outlets. Buster drove down the main street and around the lake and then turned right to where Ethan’s apartment building was.
“You coming in?” Annabelle asked as he pulled up.
“Yeah. You know how I like to go a few rounds with him when I see him.”
Buster carried her bag and she followed.
“Hi, Roy,” she said to the doorman, who was seated behind his desk like last time.
“Good morning, Ms. Smith. Go right on up. Mr. Gelderman is expecting you.”
He gave Buster a friendly nod which her friend returned without the smile and soon
they were in the elevator going up.
“So money buys you a friendly doorman. Wonder what else you’re going to find out about him?” Buster said.
“Should be interesting, and I’ll be sure to fill you in,” she said, checking her appearance in a mirror she’d pulled out of her purse. But she’d only be sharing the things that Ethan wanted shared; the rest she’d keep locked away until he was ready to share them. Annabelle had told Branna that she thought things weren’t rosy with Ethan’s family. His reactions when she’d tried to talk about them had alerted her to that, plus the fact that Ethan had called his father an asshole.
She’d worn blue jeans, a white sweater and a black leather collarless jacket. She’d wrapped a blue and pink scarf around her neck. Color gave Annabelle strength, and while she might not show it outwardly, she was nervous today. Nervous about what was awaiting her in Texas.
It was human nature to put people into categories, and she’d definitely put the tall Texan into one. Spoiled, selfish, and egotistical, or so she’d thought, but she was fast realizing that wasn’t the case. Annabelle knew that this journey was probably going to change the rest of her preconceived ideas, which unsettled her. She li
ked things to stay the way they were. Changes didn’t sit well with her, probably because her life had been filled with so many of them. That was also why she had chosen to stay in Howling. There she mostly knew what was awaiting her when she stepped outside her door.
“Jesus, the domestic goddess has been unshackled for the day. I may need to sit down!” Ethan said as they walked into his apartment.
“Always the wise guy, Gelderman the Fifth.” Buster punched Ethan on the shoulder as he walked past him and into the room.
“Hey there, Annabelle, you got enough stuff in that huge bag? Seems to me Buster’s legs are buckling under the weight.”
“Not nearly, but I figure they have shops there, right?” She strolled past him, ignoring the flutter of her rapidly accelerating pulse. He smelled sexy—whatever aftershave he wore, it always smelled way too good on him. He was dressed in jeans and boots with a fitted, black ribbed sweater covering his very broad chest. He looked good enough to jump.
Distance, Annabelle, she reminded herself. Remember to keep your distance. She’d told herself that last night while she lay in her bed trying to sleep. She was doing this to support him and nothing more. There would be no kissing or touching and definitely no sex.
“Plenty,” he said as he closed the door behind her and Buster.
“So, you want me to drop you at the airport?” Buster was moseying around the apartment, checking it out.
“Roy’s called a cab, but thanks. It should be here in the next few minutes.”
“Sweet. Now I’m going to give you a bit of advice, Tex, and I suggest you take it,” Buster said, stopping in front of Ethan.
Annabelle, who had been placing her handbag on the floor, turned to see the steady look in Buster’s eyes. She knew that look, having been the recipient of it a time or two herself.
“This here lady”—he waved a hand in her direction—“is important to us, her friends. In which you are included,” he added when Ethan opened his mouth. “Watch her closely, and return her to us in the state that she left.”
“I cannot believe you just said that.” Annabelle shook her head. It was rather sweet and made her feel warm right down to her already warm toes, but still she had to say something; it was expected of her.
“I promise.” Ethan stuck out his hand, Buster clasped it and they shook solemnly.
“And you,” Buster said, moving to stand in front of her. “Have fun, don’t worry about shit, and look after him too. I wouldn’t be put out if you brought me back a present, either.” He hugged her hard and then he was gone.
“Thanks for the ride,” she called after him before he shut the door.
“Eloquent, handsome, that man has it all going on. Beats me why some woman hasn’t snapped him up.” Ethan came to stand in front of her as he spoke.
“It’s a mystery.” Annabelle moved around him, feeling suddenly nervous. She then started to walk through his apartment as Buster had done. “This is a nice place, Gelderman Number Five.”
“You may just have to stick with ‘Ethan’ when we reach the ranch. My father is Gelderman Number Four.”
“Ha. I already figured that.”
The room was large, spacious and painted in soft caramel, and the furniture was big and looked comfortable. On the walls hung two paintings in splashes of bright color. There were three leafy green plants in one corner. She was surprised at how warm and welcoming it all felt.
“You do all this?” Annabelle waved a hand around the furnishings, impressed with how everything fit together to create a space of peaceful beauty.
“I did. Does that surprise you, Annabelle?” He was prowling around behind her, his long legs keeping pace with ease.
“No, you have this thing with women, so it’s no shock that you have that woman gene in there somewhere.”
“Thing? Woman gene?”
She’d reached the kitchen and did a slow survey. Everything was white except for a red kettle and the toaster. No dishes littered the sink, and there was no leftover food on the countertops.
“Women fall all over you and you seem to have this thing with them. You always know what to say.” She moved past him again and went into the first bedroom. Neat and tidy like the rest of the house, it had to be the spare room, as she saw nothing of his in here.
“How come it doesn’t work with you?”
“I’m immune, like I’ve told you before.” The second bedroom was his. Huge bed with a black cover that had the state of Texas flag on it. “You kidding me?” she said.
“I’m proud of where I was born, Annabelle. You got a problem with that?” He wandered into the room behind her, which Annabelle realized was a problem, because he blocked off her exit. She moved to the windows next to a set of French doors that she could see led out to a small deck.
“So you sleep draped in your states flag.”
“When I sleep…yes.”
She heard the inference for what it was. “Cheesy, Gelderman.”
“Want to try it out? We could roll around on top a little before we leave.” He gave her a leer accompanied by a sly smile that made her laugh.
“When do we need to leave?”
“Now, so if you’re finished invading my privacy, we’ll go.”
“I wasn’t invading, I was checking it out. It’s what women do. New places intrigue us.”
“Ha. Funny how that works. I’m the same when I meet a woman. I love to investigate her fully too.”
“Will you stop that?” Annabelle crossed the room and slapped his shoulder.
“It’s what guys do.”
He gave her an innocent look, then ruined the lighthearted atmosphere by kissing her, just brief and soft, a brushing of the lips and no more, and she felt it to her toes.
“Thanks for coming with me, Annabelle. I’m saying that now, because things will probably get messed up, and I may even get mean, but I just want you to know that I do appreciate this…really.”
He turned and walked out and she followed on unsteady legs.
Distance, Annabelle. She needed to keep her distance from him for the next few days. She was here to support him, nothing more.
CHAPTER EIGHT
They flew first class, which made Annabelle uncomfortable because she wasn’t used to such luxury. Her seat could fit another person and they’d be comfortable, and there was so much leg room she could recline and not touch the one in front. There were only two seats in her row and a nice little table between her and Ethan.
“I could have flown economy.”
He made a sound that she thought could be teeth grinding.
“Smith, I’m only going to say this once,” Ethan said after he’d stowed her bag and seated himself. “I have a lot of money, and while you may have a problem with that, I don’t, so I fly in a seat that affords me, a six-foot-four-inch man, some comfort. So suck it up and enjoy the ride.”
“It’s considered rude to talk about your money, Gelderman, no wonder none of those women ever stuck.”
“I was being honest, Smith. There’s a difference.”
Annabelle watched as he buckled his belt before stretching out his legs and making himself comfortable. “I’ve never flown in a plane,” she said, gripping her armrest as the plane started moving.
“Not that again. Christ, Annabelle, you’ve flown in my bird. This is a walk in the park compared to that.”
She swallowed. “I’ve seen those movies. What if we need another pilot because ours has a heart attack?” Annabelle looked out the window at the ground as it moved slowly by. She closed her eyes as other planes took off, blocking their progress. “Your face could be the last one I ever see.”
She felt his hand grab hers, turn it and lock their fingers together.
“I’m really hoping the pilot doesn’t have a heart attack, Annabelle, but if he does, I can probably bring this thing down without killing anyone and you can keep him alive until we can get him to the hospital.”
She turned from the window to look at
him. “Really, you could fly this?”
“I’m a handy kind of guy to have around. You should remember that before you go at me again. And I can name a dozen women who’d be happy if my face was the last one they ever saw.”
“I have no doubt. And they all giggle constantly, right, and gaze at you adoringly?”
The engines began to roar and suddenly Annabelle was pinned back in her seat.
“This is the fun part, Smith.”
Annabelle turned her head and locked eyes with him. His smile was gentle and she knew there was fear written all over her face.
“I get to be with you for two firsts. Am I not just the luckiest guy in the world right now?”
“R-real lucky.”
“It’s okay now, honey, we’re up.” His thumb brushed her hand softly. “Look out the window.”
His eyes were so clear today, this close she could see the small flecks of darker blue.
“Do I have to?”
“I gave you the window seat for that very reason.”
“I hate being pathetic,” she muttered, inhaling deeply. Turning, she looked out and saw the countryside growing further and further away.
“It’s not pathetic to have fears, Annabelle. That just makes you human like the rest of us.”
“Maybe.”
“Why don’t you like to show weakness?”
“I don’t have time for weakness.”
“That’s a hard philosophy to follow. I bet it’s been tested a time or two.”
It had been, Annabelle thought, but if she’d allowed herself to be weak when she was raising the boys, she probably would have failed to do what needed to be done.
“Would you like something to drink?”
She was saved from answering by the flight attendant, and for the next three hours she put everything else aside and enjoyed the one and only experience she was ever likely to have of flying first class. She tried to question Ethan about his family but he simply said she’d find out for herself soon enough, then closed his eyes and slept for the rest of the flight.
They reached Austin, Texas, in the late afternoon, and when Ethan opened his eyes, Annabelle saw that he was no longer the man she knew. This one was withdrawn, replying to her questions with grunts. His face had lost its perpetual smile, and Annabelle had never seen him look so serious.