Badge and a Saddle (Heroes in the Saddle Book 2)

by Randi Alexander

  She listened again, no longer hearing the motor.

  He’d left the shade up on the window, and she tiptoed over to look outside. Nothing. No movement, no sound. Turning toward Rex, she noticed a scar on his hairline by his temple. His skin looked a shade of tan, almost a honey color. It didn’t look like he’d been tanning, either. What nationality was he? She had a lot of questions for him, after talking with Bennet.

  Rex had told her Bennet was his ex-father-in-law, but hadn’t shared anything else, and there was no way she would be able to out-fox a sheriff for information, so that avenue was closed.

  His hands jerked and fisted, then he went still again.

  How should she wake him? Mina crept toward the bed and eased onto the mattress. It barely moved with her weight.

  “What are you doing?” Rex’s voice came out gravelly.

  “I’m…I heard a noise. A motor.”

  He grunted and moved closer to the far edge of the bed, away from her. “Bennet is on his four-wheeler. He’s got a shotgun and a pistol with him.”

  The screen door downstairs slapped shut and the sounds of Bennet wheeling his walker through the kitchen reached them.

  Relief washed through her. “But what if he’s been compromised, took money to turn me in?” She smiled at the unlikely scenario.

  Rex angled up, resting on his bent arm. His dark eyes looked sleepy as he stared at her. “You think we wouldn’t hear him clomping up the steps with that walker?”

  She giggled, actually giggled, at the visual. “You’re saying I’m being paranoid?”

  He looked too serious. “Sorry, Doctor. I’m not makin’ light of your worries. Not after all you’ve been through. But I’ve known Bennet since I was—”

  Something shimmied soft and warm inside her. She was in bed with the hottest, most capable man she’d ever met. Her hero. And she liked him. His lips kept moving, voicing the reasons why she could trust both of them, as well as his captain and his two neighbors. The words flowed over her, his voice low and sexy with intimacy.

  Intimacy? How had her mind slid to that tempting topic? Would he be offended if she suggested they spend their time on the ranch…together? Like, extremely close together?

  “Mina?” He waited, watching her closely.

  Had he asked her something? Or was he keying in to her mood? Her breath came faster, her eyes felt heavy-lidded as she imagined being in his arms, held tight by those strong muscles of his, kissed by his firm lips. She wiggled a little. Would he push her down into the mattress, taking top position? Or would he pull her on top of him, letting her ride him?

  Deep in her belly, warmth spread, encompassing her core, swelling in her breasts until her nipples tingled and tightened.

  His gaze dropped to her chest for just a second, then locked with her eyes, a little wrinkle forming between his brows.

  Rex was the type of man she would wander up to in a bar, or smile at in a coffee shop, or get closer to at a college football game, even without knowing his personality. But add his exceptionally brave and intelligent persona to the mix, and he was suddenly a man she’d want to spend a lot more time with.

  Was she being reactionary, wanting to grab onto him and flirt her way into his embrace? Or was this something real and important, something she should not let slip through her fingers?

  There was only one way to find out. She took a deep breath.

  Mina pushed up on one arm, wrapped her hand around Rex’s strong, thick neck, and pressed her lips against his. He froze for a second, but she used her lips on his like a caress, softly tasting with her tongue and moaning with the warmth of desire that made her a little woozy.

  The bed dipped and he wrapped his arm around her waist, turning her so she lay on her back, throwing his hard, heavy leg over hers. “You sure?” He didn’t wait for an answer before moving in and kissing her, his lips firm, encompassing all of hers, molding her to fit his, then his tongue drew a line between her lips.

  “I’m sure.” She squealed as her belly tightened and her breasts tickled with need. She hadn’t felt this kind of physical attraction since… Since never. This was spicy and new and wild as the edge of the universe.

  “Mina.” The whisper from his lips blew into her mouth like a prayer. He ran his tongue along hers, slowly and reverently. Then he stroked with exuberance and speed that literally sucked her breath away. “Doc, you taste like pure heaven.”

  Glad she’d brushed and used mouthwash, she groaned back, “You taste like pure indulgence.” That kiss confirmed a strong physical connection on top of the emotional one she was already experiencing.

  He backed away, his gaze searching hers, then he pulled his hand from her and rolled off the bed like it had caught on fire. He looked over his shoulder at her.

  The room grew cooler, suddenly. Why was he standing there? Hadn’t he felt the same, amazing moment between them?

  “Rex.” She shouldn’t have used the word indulgence. It sounded so…guilty. “We’re both adults, we’re consenting. Neither of us is involved with…” She sat up, icy cold, now, with the direction of her thoughts. “You’re not married, or engaged, or dating someone, right?”

  He shook his head. “No, but this indulgence is not a good idea. You’re under my watch, and I’m sworn to protect you.”

  She took hope from the fact he was still in the room. “What if we just close the door and pretend we’re two people who feel attracted to each other, and want to spend a few days exploring that magnetism?” That sounded reasonable, right? And not too…desperate?

  “Who says I’m attracted to you?” He rubbed his forehead. “Mina…Doctor, I can’t just pretend I’m not on the clock. Please, just…go back to your room.”

  She had never been the type to chase a man who didn’t want to be caught, and especially not a woman to try to lure one into bed when he was unwilling, but things were different today, and probably would be for the rest of her life—however long that ended up being. Somehow, the combination of her tenuous situation and Rex’s perfect body and mind, plus his remarkable character, had unleashed something inside her. Like super powers she’d bottled up all her adult life, and now wanted to let loose on the world.

  She took a breath and worked up her courage. “I want to be in your bed, Rex.” She let her voice drop low and sexy as she could manage.

  He didn’t move for long seconds.

  Was he trying to decide? Trying to overcome his overzealous sense of duty and give in to the needs of the man behind the badge? “Fine.” He grabbed his gun, wallet, and boots. “You can have it.” He walked out of the room, then down the stairs.

  Her mouth dropped open. Staring at the doorway, she could only blink. How had she mucked that up so badly? Sexual super powers? Not quite. Rolling out of the warm bed, she tiptoed out the door and down the hall to the top of the steps.

  “…because you need to explain what that means, she chased you out.” Bennet’s voice sounded over his television program.

  “Just watch your gameshow, old man. Let me get some goddamn sleep.” Rex must be stretched out on the couch.

  The volume of the TV decreased and Bennet chuckled softly.

  She trudged back to her assigned room and willed herself to fall asleep as she focused on making her dreams feature a dark-eyed lover who would have her writhing and popping like fireworks in a starless sky.

  Chapter Five

  Rex woke when a truck pulled up outside. Bennet stood on the porch, one hand on his walker, the other on a double-barrel shotgun. The older man nodded to Treven as he got out of his vehicle.

  Bennet came inside. “Brought his wife with.”

  Rex nodded. “The two of them are inseparable.” Since their wedding six months before, they’d holed up at their ranch whenever she wasn’t traveling with her job. Rex hadn’t even considered asking his buddy to leave his better half at home. He stood as they walked in the door.

  Treven hung his cowboy hat on a peg, and Delta, Treven’s wife, had a
smile and a hug for Rex. She looked at Rex with her awesome eyes—one blue, one green, and brushed her long, brown bangs off her forehead. “We haven’t seen enough of you lately.”

  Rex nodded toward Treven. “He treating you okay?”

  Treven strolled up and shook Rex’s hand, and the men leaned forward for a guy-hug, pat on the back.

  “Anyone want coffee? A beer?” Bennet wheeled around in the kitchen and surprised Rex by setting a platter of sandwiches covered in plastic wrap on the table.

  The three of them wandered into the kitchen and helped Bennet set out coffee, beer, and brownies in a plastic container with the name of a local woman written carefully on one side.

  “So, Miss Lilly’s makin’ you sweets now, huh?” Treven winked one of his deep green eyes and reached for a brownie. His auburn hair had grown longer than Rex had ever seen it. Must be Delta’s doing. Loosening up the headstrong cowboy.

  Bennet gave that wide grin of his. “Half the ladies in the county bring me things. You’d think me bein’ all crippled would keep ‘em away, but nope.” He winked at Delta. “Seems they’re only interested in my mind.” The old sheriff liked to tease her. A whole lot.

  Her eyes opened wide and a blush stained her cheeks. “That’s probably true, but a woman knows when a man is capable of giving her…” She winked back at Bennet. “What she needs.”

  Bennet’s mouth dropped open, and Rex and Treven let loose with big laughs. Delta could hold her own against any man.

  Footsteps sounded behind them. “Hi.” Mina’s sweet voice came softly to his ears. That kiss, lawd on high, he didn’t even want to look at her. If he did, he couldn’t be responsible for his body’s reaction. He’d been sleeping when she’d crawled in bed with him, sure, but his response to her was rocketfire, and like nothing he’d experienced before. Ever. How would he last three days here with her…and keep his hands off her?

  Bennet and Treven stood, Rex followed suit, and Mina walked up to the empty chair Bennet pulled away from the table for her.

  “Well, if Detective Rex isn’t going to do the honors…” Bennet scowled at him. “Doctor Mina Cooper, let me introduce you to Mrs. Delta Pennington Arnett.”

  Delta held out her hand and Mina took it. “You look familiar. Have we met?”

  Bennet snorted. “Delta Pennington. Her face is all over the television.”

  Mina cocked her head. “You’re…an actress?”

  Delta shook her head. “Don’t listen to this crazy man. I’m a racecar driver, and I do ads on TV for motor oil and I have a foundation for injured firefighters.”

  “That’s amazing.” Mina sounded excited. “I’d love to hear more about all of that.”

  Treven cleared his throat. “I’m Mr. Pennington…uh…I mean, Delta’s husband, Treven.”

  Mina shook his hand. “Mr. Arnett, I’m impressed by how well you’ve adjusted to your wife’s celebrity.”

  Treven wrapped his arm around Delta. “She’s worth all the extra work.”

  Delta elbowed him softly. “I’m no work at all, don’t listen to him.” She gestured to a duffle bag in the corner of the kitchen. “I hope you don’t mind, but I brought you a few things that I thought you could use, since, well, you can’t exactly run to town for a change of clothes.”

  “Thank you.” Mina blinked a few times. “You’re so kind.” She looked at Treven and Bennet. “All of you. To help me this way, I’m grateful.” She avoided Rex’s gaze completely.

  “Hup. Company.” Bennet looked at Rex and pointed out the door. The man had ears like a rabbit.

  Rex ran and grabbed the shotgun then peered out through the screen door. The familiar red lift-kit truck rolled down the driveway. “Looks like Clint.” He didn’t relax until the truck came to a stop and he saw his friend, with his short, spiky, white hair, walking toward the house wearing dark aviator glasses.

  “Hey.” Clint opened the screen door and walked in.

  “Thanks for coming.” Rex shook his hand and set down the gun as Clint took off his glasses.

  “Hey.” The man nodded, then strode toward Mina. He held out his hand. “You must be the fugitive.” He grinned, and gave her a look with his light-blue eyes, one that Rex had seen melt many women’s resolve. “Rex didn’t mention how beautiful you were.”

  Mina held back a smile. “You must be the paramedic.” She glanced out the door. “Rex didn’t mention your…big truck.”

  Bennet and Treven laughed, and Delta looked like she wanted to give Mina a fist bump.

  Clint released her hand, not looking as cocky as he had a few seconds ago.

  “Have a seat.” Rex went to the refrigerator. “Beer?”

  Clint hung his sunglasses from the back collar of his T-shirt, and sat. “Yeah, I could use one after that conversation.”

  A gush of relief had flowed through Rex when Mina had cut Clint off at the knees. What had he been feeling before that, when Clint was holding her hand? Couldn’t have been jealousy, could it? He shook off that thought and got down to business.

  “We’re going to set up a schedule to cover the hours when the people looking for Doctor Cooper would most likely come to the ranch.” He pulled out a piece of paper and a pen. “Between dusk and dawn.” He drew lines. “We’ll have two people outside, one inside. During the day, Bennet and I will be able to handle it.”

  Mina’s brow crinkled. “Is this necessary?”

  “Yes.” Treven and Bennet chorused.

  “Best to be safe.” Clint pulled out his phone and typed.

  “I think it’s a good idea.” Delta leaned close to her husband. “I can come with you to help protect Mina here inside the—”

  “No.” Treven reached out and laced her fingers with his. “You’ll be at home. The fewer people we have to worry about, the better.”

  Rex noticed Mina’s gaze shift to the burn scars on Treven’s hand, then quickly look away. Her gaze locked with Rex’s. Heat flooded his body, centering in his groin. There couldn’t be a repeat of this afternoon’s episode in the bedroom.

  “I’ll take tonight and tomorrow night.” Clint pointed to Rex’s paper. “I’m on call with the fire department the next night.”

  Rex set up the schedule and everyone snacked on sandwiches and brownies while talking about anything and everything, except the thing most on their minds. Mina’s safety.

  ****

  Half an hour later, Mina stood at the screen door, watching Rex and his buddies walking around the house, discussing possible blind spots and directions from where trouble could come.

  Delta came back from the bathroom. “Feels like I’m in there all the time, now.”

  Mina nodded, catching Delta’s vague reference, but concentrating on trying to hear what the guys were saying. Bennet had gone into his room, and loud snores now sounded from that part of the house.

  With an elbow nudge, Delta gestured to the porch. “Let’s go sit. Enjoy the afternoon sun.”

  They headed outside and sat on two of the old rocking chairs. “It’s so unspoiled here.” Mina didn’t often wish for a different life than the one she had, but after the last few days, she could use an extended vacation. She heard Treven calling to Rex.

  Mina watched Delta listen to her husband speak. The woman had a small smile on her lips. “How did you and Treven meet?”

  Delta tucked her shoulder-length shag-cut hair behind her ears. “He saved my life.”

  Mina crinkled her nose. “Honest?”

  “Yep.” Delta held out her hand, palm down. “Did you notice the burns on his hands? I was racing, my car burst into flames, and he pulled me out, but he wasn’t wearing safety equipment.” Wrapping her arms around her middle, she rocked her chair. “He’s a true hero. And so is Rex.”

  Mina didn’t know where she was going with that, but she nodded. “I agree.” He’d saved her.

  “He’s exceptionally serious.” Delta stared off into the distance. “But he’s faced a lot in his life.”

  “Many people
who choose crime fighting as a livelihood, do.” He and Bennet had made some references, but she hadn’t wanted to ask personal questions. “He’s been exceptionally decisive and surprisingly kind.” Not nice, really, but understanding of her desperate maneuvers, which was more than she had expected.

  Delta looked at Mina out of the corner of her eye. “You like him?”

  She wasn’t going to participate in girl talk. “He’s a likeable person, but there’s no room in our situation for enjoying each other’s personality.” Mina sounded stiff, even to her own ears. It was odd, she usually only talked like a professor when she had something to hide. And what had happened upstairs earlier…that was probably something she’d like to keep hidden.

  “Yet, your cheeks are bright red.” Delta grinned like a devious toddler.

  Bright red, probably due more to guilt than infatuation. Guilt from crawling into bed with the detective and boldly kissing him. She sighed. That kiss. It had shaken her pretty darn good. But how did she feel about him? “I guess I could grow to like him.” Hopefully they’d all live long enough for that to be a possibility. As the sun eased toward the western horizon, her anxiety level increased. What would happen tonight?

  Delta reached over and squeezed Mina’s hand once, quickly. “It’ll be okay. These guys know what they’re doing.” The race car driver sat back and breathed deeply, her face going pale.

  “Are you okay?” Mina wasn’t sure what to do. “Are you ill?”

  Delta shook her head slowly, then a slow, mysterious smile curved her lips. “Not sick.” She glanced Mina’s way and set the palm of her hand on her lower belly. “I haven’t told him yet.”

  Mina’s heart thudded. “Congratulations.” Delta and Treven were obviously in love. Deeply. And this baby would be a lovely blessing for them. “I’m so happy for you.” The vision of a very-pregnant Delta behind the wheel of a racecar flashed into Mina’s mind. “How long can you drive your—”

  The men came around the side of the porch and Mina pressed her lips shut.

  Delta leaned closer. “We’ll talk later.”