by Sable Hunter
“How?” She asked, hope unmistakable in her voice. “You live so far away.”
“You let me worry about that, it’s six hours driving, only a couple by air.” He turned her in his arms so he could kiss her full on the lips. “You’re worth it.”
His words were what she wanted to hear, but she still wasn’t convinced. Guess she’d have to see it work out to believe. Either way, she planned on enjoying the journey. As they left Marfa, Molly let him drive, resting her head on his shoulder as they returned to Alpine. When they arrived at the Hunt Hotel, it was hard to say goodnight. They lingered, cuddled close in the dark. Ten honored her wishes, not trying to go any farther than kisses. Checking the dashboard clock, she saw it was after midnight. “I need to go, I have to be at work at eight.”
Reluctantly, he let her go, giving her one more tender kiss. “When can I see you again?” He remembered she had class while he was scheduled to go to the Hunts.
“Lunch tomorrow? I have an hour.”
“Perfect, I’ll pick up something and we’ll picnic in the park. How’s that?”
She smiled at this beautiful sexy man who’d entered her world when she least expected it. “I can’t wait.”
He took out his phone. “Give me your number.” She did and he sent her a text. “Now you have mine. Call me anytime.”
“Okay.”
“Dream about me.” Ten said with a smile as he came around to the driver’s side to kiss her through the window.
“You want all my time, don’t you?” she asked with a laugh.
“I not only want your time. I want you.”
As he stood there while she drove off, she watched him from her rearview mirror until she couldn’t see him anymore. With a sigh and a smile, Molly whispered to herself. “You’re in trouble, Molly Reyes. Big trouble.”
CHAPTER THREE
Tennessee looked at himself in the mirror. He appeared the same. Same crinkles at the corners of his eyes, same unruly hair, same five o’clock shadow that haunted his face no matter how many times he shaved. So if he looked the same, why didn’t he feel the same? If he’d checked the clock once, he’d glanced at it a hundred times, counting the minutes until he could see Molly Reyes again. Earlier, he’d called in an order at a soda fountain about two blocks away and they were making him a picnic basket full of goodies. The woman who ran the place thought Ten was romantic and wanted to help him out. He’d also changed his shirt twice, finally settling on a blue one the same color as her eyes. “Whew! I’ve got it bad.” Laughing, he put his hat on his head and left the room, walking down the long porch covered in terra-cotta Mexican tile. There was one productive thing he’d done today, he’d rented a car. A man without a vehicle was just handicapped.
Since the day was pleasant and he had a few more minutes to kill, Tennessee opted to walk to the small establishment to pick up their food rather than driving. A few white wispy clouds hung in the sky and he could hear the sound of people loading and unloading luggage as they checked into or out of the Hunt Hotel. Heath had called and demanded to know why he was still lingering in West, Texas. Ten asked about Philip, concerned there was word on the investigation, but there wasn’t. Heath said he was trying to juggle ranch duties with convention plans at the resort and he wanted Ten to help him by taking up some of the slack. His older brother didn’t know it, but he’d rather eat barbed wire than be stuck indoors juggling paperwork. Jaxson had also texted him and asked for him to drive up to Fort Davis and talk to a rancher up there who was interested in buying some semen straws from their prize bull. Not wanting to let either of them down, he told his brothers to email the plans and details to him and he’d work on both when he could. Anything to spend a few more days in West Texas. Meeting Molly had changed his priorities.
When he opened the door of the soda fountain, the smell of onion rings was loud and strong. He’d order something a bit more sedate. Club sandwiches, vanilla shakes and chocolate chip cookies. Not the fanciest fare in the world, he hoped she would enjoy it. Molly seemed to be a person who appreciated the simple things in life, like he did.
While he was waiting for his order, Ten found handmade necklaces made with agate mined in Big Bend, wire wrapped and hung on a cord. He bought two of them, one for Ryder and one for Pepper. Taking them to the counter, a young redhead flirted with him outrageously, giggling and batting her eyes. “I hope you stick around, cowboy. We need something scrumptious to look at around here.”
“Why, thank you, ma’am.” Ten found himself blushing. The girl wasn’t even trying to whisper. Several other customers were watching him intently. Tipping his hat, he grabbed his order and made his escape, promising to bring back the empty picnic basket as soon as he could.
Whistling, he made his way back toward the spa. He felt his heart rate speed up and there was an unmistakable spring in his step. If he wasn’t such a big lug, he might have tried to jump and click his heels together. Ten shook his head, amused at himself. He’d fall on his ass. The only two places he was graceful was on the back of a horse or in bed.
As he bounded up on the porch of the small stucco building, he couldn’t help but smile. Was she as anxious to see him as he was to see her? Well, only one way to find out. Opening the door, he went in to the darkened, luxurious interior. The lapping of water could be heard from the hot tubs. A light fragrance teased his nose and he began to get hard just remembering how her sexy little fingers had felt on his skin. “Molly?” he called out, not very loud.
He heard the low hum of some type of machine, then footsteps. When she peeped around the door, giving him a thousand watt smile he grinned like an idiot. “I’ll be right with you.”
The murmur of voices let him know she wasn’t alone. Shortly, a tall carefully coiffed woman emerged. “Schedule me again for tomorrow. I want a pedicure too. Bill all of this to my room and add a five dollar tip for yourself.”
Cheapskate, Ten thought.
Molly didn’t blink an eye. “Yes, I certainly will. Thank you. Will ten in the morning be acceptable for your next appointment?”
“Yes, I think so.”
Tennessee became amused watching the old biddy. She had her nose stuck up in the air so high, she almost missed seeing him standing by the wall. When she did catch sight of him, the transformation was immediate and complete.
“Well, hello there.” She smiled, holding out her hand as if he would kiss it. “I didn’t see you standing there.”
Ten didn’t take her hand, but he did tip his hat. “Good morning.”
“My, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.”
Tennessee got a little nervous when she licked her lips.
“Why, thank you. I hope you have a pleasant day.” He gave her a small smile. “I’m here to take my beautiful date to lunch.”
The look the woman gave Molly was a mix of jealousy and disdain and he didn’t like it even a little bit.
“Thank you, Ms. Barnaby. I appreciate you.” Molly gave her a gracious nod and Ten was glad to see her go.
“She’s charming,” he said sarcastically.
“She’s rich.” Molly said calmly as if that explained everything.
He didn’t know what to make of her attitude. Tennessee supposed most people would classify his family as rich, although there was a difference in Texas rich and the wealthy from other places because most of his family’s holdings were tied up in assets. Land. Cattle. “Rich doesn’t automatically equate to a lack of manners, Molly.”
She met his eyes and didn’t answer right away. Grabbing her purse, she came out from behind the counter, taking his hand. “Of course it doesn’t.” He knew she had held her tongue, which was okay because now she was holding him. “I’m glad to see you. Thanks for coming to see me. If you’ll give me five minutes, I want to clean up. I spilled some oil on this top.”
“My pleasure and biding my time while you change will not be a problem.” She didn’t keep him waiting long, returning fresh as a daisy. He held the door for her.
“Do you want to walk or do you want to take my car?”
“Walking is good.”
Ten gave her hand a little squeeze. “Did you have a good morning?”
“Other than Ms. Barnaby?” She gave him a grin. “Yes, she’s okay. People like her just feel entitled.”
Tennessee didn’t want to argue, so he didn’t try to challenge her generalization. “I want to spend this time getting to know you, Molly Reyes.” He guided her through the courtyard and past the front entrance. When they came to the highway, he placed a guarding hand on her lower back, then tightened it around her waist as they crossed the street. “What do you want to do, play twenty questions?” Molly felt a bit uneasy, like she was about to be interviewed.
“If you want to make a game out of it, we can.” As they walked, he stole little looks at her. She’d changed in to low-riding blue jeans and a leather vest adorned with small inset jewels with tiny fringe on the shoulders and around the hem. “What do I get if I win?”
“What do you want?” she asked seductively. “A sandwich?”
“You’re going to be difficult, aren’t you?” He held the gate open for her. The Hunt gardens were an oasis in the desert.
“Not at all.” Molly laughed. “I’m going to be…worth the wait,” she whispered the last three words. Actually, he was wearing her down fast. Tennessee McCoy was proving hard to resist.
“I can be a patient man,” he growled. “But my appetite will only grow. And when I do get what I crave, I’ll be ravenous.”
Molly quivered with erotic anticipation. She moved to a picnic table, maddeningly aware of the man and helplessly curious to know what belonging to him would be like. Attempting to get their lunch back on an even keel, she took the basket from his hand. “One appetite at a time, McCoy.”
He inhaled deeply, taking off his Stetson and placing it on the far end of the table. “I want to see you after class tonight.”
With shaking hands she opened the lid, watching him out of the corner of her eye as he sat down beside her. “It will be late.”
“I don’t care. I need to see you.” He took a sandwich from her hand. ‘Lunch isn’t going to satisfy the hunger I feel.”
Molly cleared her throat. The intense look he was giving her sent flames of fire flitting over her skin. Because she was nervous, she tried to fill the silence with chatter. “The park is twenty-six acres. There are a large assortment of flowers grown here as well as all the organic vegetables served in the hotel restaurant. When you finish eating, we’ll take a walk.” Looking up, she saw he was taking her picture with his phone.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
He grinned. “I need to be able to look at your gorgeous face all the time.” Molly blushed prettily. He took a big bite, opening a can of soda with one hand. “You want me. Don’t you, Miss Molly?” When she fidgeted with her napkin, straightening the items in front of her, then crossed her legs and shifted on the seat – he knew. “You’re turned-on.”
Raising her eyes, she glared at him. “Don’t be so arrogant. You know I am. I’m not made of stone.”
He chuckled, enjoying her discomfiture. “You might not be made of stone, but parts of me are.” Seeing the flush on her cheeks, he moaned. “And I can’t wait to see how soft you are…how hot…how wet.”
“Tennessee, stop!” Molly bowed her head, trying to control the ache between her legs.
“Girl, we are going to burn the sheets up,” Ten whispered.
“Let’s eat.” She almost pleaded, taking a bite and trying to chew.
He smiled, following her lead. “Tell me more about your family.”
If he thought this new subject was going to help, he was wrong. “I don’t have any family.”
“No sisters or brothers? Cousins, aunts, uncles?”
She nervously pushed her long hair over her shoulder. “No. I’m pretty much alone. I told you that I never knew my father. Mother never said much about him other than he was just a rich man who was passing through.”
Ten didn’t like this new information. “Do you live alone? Have a roommate?”
“I live alone. Are you asking because you want to sleepover, or are you just curious?” Her mouth feeling bone dry, she hastily took a sip of the delicious shake. This lunch was proving to be more than she expected. Tennessee McCoy could be overwhelming.
“Both.” There was no use hiding what he wanted, he’d made himself abundantly clear.
Molly lifted her chin, almost in a challenge. “I live in a ratty little trailer on the other side of the railroad tracks. It’s no place for someone like you.”
Ten took another bite of his sandwich, wiped his fingers, then a sip of soda. He stood up, glanced around at the garden, holding out his hand. “Walk with me.”
His voice sounded a little odd. Molly wrapped up the rest of her club and rose, taking his hand. “Where are we going?”
“Out of the sight of passing cars.”
“Oh.” With his long legs, he walked fast and she had to hurry to keep up. Once they were at the rear of the garden, he backed her up against a tree. “Okay, let’s get this straight.” Ten lifted her chin with his fingers. “You seem to have some mistaken notions about people and how they are affected by money.” She said nothing, just listened to him. “You are an amazing woman. And I would be honored to be with you – anywhere, anytime.” He bent to her, gently brushing his lips back and forth across hers – tasting, gentling – loving. “I can’t wait to make love to you. It doesn’t matter to me if we’re in the Ritz Carlton or the back of your pick-up truck. What matters to me, is you.”
Molly stood on tiptoe and crashed her mouth on his. She framed his face and ate at his lips, pushing her breasts against the broad hard wall of his chest. “I want you, Tennessee McCoy. Pick me up after class. I’ll be through at nine o’clock and I’ll wait for you by the Big Bend Museum on campus.”
“I’ll be there. You won’t be sorry.” He promised her. “I’ll make you happy.”
At that moment, she believed every word he said.
***
Ben Hunt’s ranch was about twenty miles south of town. When he drove through the gate and saw the pastureland, he couldn’t help but make comparisons to The Highlands. His home was lush, where this land looked relatively barren. But looks could be deceiving. He’d been visiting with an old timer at the bar this afternoon while he was waiting for time to pass and the man had enlightened him on some things he didn’t know. He’d said the ground was far richer than it appeared. Deer and cattle grew fatter here on less roughage because the ground coverage was richer in nutrients than regular Bermuda or Bahia grass.
Hunt Ranch was about twice the acreage of The Highlands and ran about a third more cattle. He had no idea what other interests Hunt might have, but what he saw was impressive. The ranch house was big and sprawling, built to blend into the majestic back-drop of the mountains. He could see a heli-pad nearby and there was a private runway behind the house. The lawn wasn’t thick with grass, instead it was covered with drought resistant plants and succulents. While driving through the park, Ten had seen where landscapers got their ideas. He’d seen a whole mountainside covered with the same plants as the yards of expensive homes back in Austin, only it wasn’t planted by gardeners with degrees, it was all natural.
Parking his rental car next to a white King Ranch Ford F150, Ten got out and started up the walk. Before he ascended the steps onto the wide stone verandah, a door opened. Rita stood there to greet him dressed in a black pantsuit with some type of colorful filmy scarf. “Welcome, Tennessee! Come in, we’ve been waiting for you.”
Having grown up around people who felt comfortable with what they had, the luxurious home didn’t intimidate Ten one whit. “Thanks for having me.”
The interior was much like the hotel – wood, leather, stone and the celebration of Texas and the American West was featured everywhere. “Tennessee, join me!” He heard Ben calling from another room.
Rita graciou
sly led him through the foyer, rich with tile floors and marble tabletops. The colors of the furniture were jewel tones and the paintings on the walls were authentic. He recognized a Remington or two. Ten missed nothing, but he was glad his hosts didn’t know how much he wished for this dinner to pass as quickly as possible.
Waiting in a grand room with high ceilings, Ben sat with several other men, one about his age and two older who reminded him of an older Sam Elliot and Martin Sheen when he was playing in West Wing. “How are you feeling, Mr. Hunt?” Ten asked as he handed his hat to a lady in a black uniform with a white apron. “Thank-you ma’am.”
“I feel almost normal.” The rancher stood to take Ten’s hand. “I’d like for you to meet some old friends of mine Sam Gage and his brother Virgil. They own most of Pecos County. They’re in the energy business too.”
“Very good.” Ten nodded. “Highland Energy Company in Burnet belongs to my family.”
“We’ve heard of it. We know of Heath.” Sam Gage smiled.
He knew the men meant their comment to make a connection with him. “Heath has made some headways in solar and windfarm technology. He’s even made progress in cleaning up the gas industry.” Yes, Ten could talk the talk. He was proud of his brother, he just wanted to make his own mark in the world.
“We’ve been reading up on him. My brother and I are thinking about leasing out some of our land for wind turbines,” Sam looked at Ben. “Hunt is advising us.”
“That’s right. There are a few other wind farms on some of the buttes near Fort Stockton that are doing well. It would be a money-making proposition for all concerned,” Ben commented, sitting down and leaning back in a comfortable leather chair.
“Sounds interesting,” Tennessee agreed. He and the other young guy weren’t contributing much to the conversation. Both were listening carefully, however.