by Sable Hunter
“Shoot.” Tennessee laughed. “I haven’t been gone that long.”
“So tell me,” Philip began, pausing to check the road before pulling out into traffic. Ten assumed he was about to be asked about the business proposition. He hadn’t given Heath all the details, but he knew he would’ve shared what little he’d been told.
“I think I’ve got a chance at a sweet deal.”
“She must be some special girl.” Philip winked at Tennessee.
Laughing, Ten was relieved they could joke. “She is, I met her on the rescue mission. Molly rides and climbs as well as I do.”
“And she’s a looker.”
“Yes, she’s beautiful. You’d like her. She’s funny and sweet.” Ten was hit with an intense longing. “I…”
“She makes you happy.” Philip said simply.
Shifting his hat back on his head, he let out a long breath. “She sure does. I was with her a few hours ago and already I miss her like crazy.”
Philip shrugged his shoulders. “So, she has a phone like everybody else, doesn’ she? Call her.”
As they pulled up to the big main house at the Highlands, he could see his sisters sitting on the big homey porch. When they saw them driving up, they raced out to meet him. “Look at them,” he laughed, “you’d think I’d been gone for a month of Sundays.”
“They love you.” Philip got out and shut his door, pulling Ten’s duffle from the back and tossing it to him. “Mostly, they want to hear about this girl.”
Philip wasn’t wrong. As soon as Ryder and Pepper were near enough, the inquisition began.
“How did you meet her?” Ryder asked as she linked her arm with his.
“What does she look like? I want to see her picture.” Pepper stole the hat from Ten’s head and put it on her own.
“How old is she? And where’s my souvenir?” Ryder unzipped his duffle hanging off his shoulder and he lightly slapped her hand away.
“When can we meet her?” Pepper persisted, even though he wasn’t answering any of their question.
Tennessee held up his hands. “If you’ll feed me, I’ll tell you everything you want to know.” He kissed both of the beautiful women on their cheeks. “But first, let me go to my room, change clothes and call my girl.”
Pepper grabbed his hand to stop him. “We’re glad you’re home. You can’t move to West Texas.”
Ten just shook his head, tweaking his little sister on the end of her nose. “Stop worrying.” He moved up the steps, through the door and into the house. His sisters had made this big rambling place into a home. All six of them lived together, each had their own wing and shared the main rooms. His sanctuary was on the third floor, east side. When he opened the door, he could see someone had cleaned up the mess he’d left. The call about Hunt had come and he’d dropped everything to go. A man’s life hanging in the balance doesn’t wait for the bed to be made or clothes to be hung up.
With a snap of his wrist, he pitched his bag on the bed and pulled his phone from his pocket. Sitting down in the leather recliner in front of his fireplace, he touched her name to commence the call. A glance at the clock on his desk told him it was six, the sun would set soon. After three rings, he started to think she wasn’t going to answer…until… “Hello? Tennessee?”
“Hey, beautiful.” Ten let out a long, relieved sigh. “What took you so long to answer?”
“I was in the shower.”
“Are you naked?”
Molly laughed. “Yea, except for a towel. Why?”
Ten groaned, his voice sobering. “God, I miss you. Do you miss me?”
Molly clutched the towel she had wrapped around her. “God, yes. Of course I miss you.” So much more than she’d ever thought possible. “How was your flight?”
“Okay. Philip picked me up. I’m at the house, hiding in my bedroom from my overzealous sisters who are dying for any little bit of information on you I can tell them.”
“Really?” The thought made her smile. “Poor baby. They’re going to give you a hard time. Aren’t they?”
“I think that’s pretty much a given.” He paused and hooked his leg over the arm of the chair. “So, let’s get back to the naked part.”
“Are we going to have phone sex?”
Tennessee tossed his head back against the recliner. “I wish. My family will be gathering up downstairs. Can I have a raincheck?”
“Of course. I’m not really disappointed. I’m not sure I know how to have phone sex.”
Ten cradled the phone, picturing Molly. He knew exactly how beautiful she looked, that golden skin all soft and warm after her shower. “You’d be just as good at that as you are at everything else.” Rubbing his swollen crotch, he whispered into the phone. “It’s too early to go to bed, what are your plans for the rest of the evening. Hot date?” Why he asked that, he didn’t know.
But Molly didn’t do anything but laugh. “Oh, yeah. I have this incredibly hot guy on the phone, one that I miss like crazy, and I’m going to go out with someone else.” She ran her finger over the speaker from where his voice was coming. “Not going to happen. I’m going to go to a neighbor’s house. They’re grilling burgers.”
Remembering what he’d been told earlier, he closed his eyes. “I don’t want to ask you this but who is Carlos and Paul?”
Molly laughed. “Who told you about Carlos and Paul?”
He didn’t answer.
“Rita?”
“Yes.”
Molly sighed. “I should’ve known. Well, Paul and Carlos live two trailers down for me. They’re my friends. The same ones who are cooking burgers tonight, in fact. They’re who I call when I get into trouble or when I’m sick.”
Tennessee could hear the upset in her voice. He’d hurt her with his doubts. “Molly…”
She just continued, not giving him a chance to speak. “I would’ve introduced you, but they were out of town on their honeymoon. They just got married. To each other.”
“They’re gay?”
“Yes.”
“Molly, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.” Now, he felt crappy.
“No,” she whispered. “I’m glad you did. As close as we’ve been, we don’t really know each other that well. Do we?” He started to answer, but she beat him to it. “You’re a hot guy with money. It would be stupid of me to think that you don’t date or don’t have girlfriends. Will you be seeing someone while you’re there?”
Ten could see this spiraling out of control. “Molly. Stop.” He sat up and bent over. “Darling, please…I’m not going to see anyone but you.”
“When?” Her voice hitched in her throat. She hated feeling so weak.
“I won’t be gone more than a couple of days. I promise.” Hell, he didn’t know if he’d last that long. “I want to feel you in my arms, Molly Reyes.”
“I want that too,” she whispered.
“I’ll call you tonight when I lay down. Will eleven be too late?”
“No, I’ll be waiting.”
“I love you, Molly,” he said, then he realized she’d already hung up.
He placed the edge of the phone against his lips, wishing he could kiss her.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
“Ten, if you don’t come down here soon, we’re all going to expire from sheer exasperation.” Ryder spoke through the closed door.
“All right, all right.” He rose and went out to join his sibling. Throwing an arm around her neck, he pulled her close. He and Ryder had double-teamed the rest of them several times. “What’s going on with you?” he asked.
“Nothing, my life is boring as heck. I need to get some excitement in my life.”
“It would probably be better for us all if you didn’t.”
Ryder just rolled her eyes at her brother. “Come sit down. We fixed a huge pot of gumbo. Your favorite!”
His stomach growled when he smelled the aroma. “Hey, do you know how to fix something called nopalitos?”
“No, what’s that?” Ry
der asked as she joined Pepper, Jaxson and Philip at the table.
Tennessee went around to shake Jaxson’s hand. “Hey, brother.” In answer to Ryder, he said, “Prickly pears, cooked down with onions and peppers and served over eggs.”
“Doesn’t sound like your kind of grub, Ten,” Jaxson drawled as he took a big swig of ice tea.
He just smiled. “I’m always up for trying new things.”
Jaxson threw back his head and laughed.
“I think he’s finding all sorts of new things to keep him busy. New business deals and a new woman,” Philip said, pulling the curtain back and looking out the window. “Here comes the big boy.”
Hearing that Heath was on his way in, Tennessee felt a ripple of nerves. Asking his older brother for help was going to be easy, telling him that he wanted to make a big move on his own was going to be hard.
“Speaking of this woman…” Pepper put her elbow on the table, rested her head on her hand and nailed Ten with a stare. “What’s her name?”
“Molly Reyes.”
“Where did you meet her?” Ryder asked.
“She grew up in Big Bend. The rangers called upon her to help in the search and rescue of Ben Hunt.” Ten answered willingly.
The banging of the front door let them know their elder brother was on his way in. This didn’t deter Pepper at all. “So, you’re dating her? I want to see her picture.”
“Yes, we’ve gone out a few times. I spent every moment I could with her, actually.” He ignored the picture part.
“And you like her?” Ryder asked, a bit more gently.
“Very much.” Ten was as honest as he knew how to be.
“When can we meet her?” Ryder smiled.
The shuffle of boots caused them all to look up. Their brother had stepped into his father’s shoes after he fell ill. And now, while Christian was in rehab, he still held the position of patriarch. “Don’t give him the third degree.” He looked at the whole group. “That’s my job.”
Jaxson snorted. “How was your day, Heath?”
“Busy. I need to find a good general manager.” He sat down heavily, seeming to be weary. Tennessee felt a twinge of guilt. He’d done what Heath asked him to do. There was always work to be done, however. He vowed to himself to pitch in more.
Pepper and Ryder finished placing all of the dishes on the table so everyone could serve themselves. “Okay, dig in.” Pepper announced. While they helped themselves to rice, gumbo and salad, she held her hand out to Tennessee. “I want to see Molly’s picture.”
Ten glared at his sister. “You’re like a nosy stubborn mule.” When she just smiled sweetly, he sighed and took his phone out, finding the photos he took at the park. Before he handed it to his sister, he took a moment to look himself.
“Oh, Lord, he’s got it bad. Look at that grinning fool.” Jaxson laughed, punching Philip with his elbow.
Tennessee didn’t respond, he gave his phone one last look, then handed it to Pepper. Ryder crowded in. “She is beautiful.” Pepper said, “Isn’t she?”
“She is, I love her eyes.” Ryder moved the pictures from one to the other. “So, when are you bringing her home?”
“Well, that depends,” was Tennessee’s only answer, before his phone was passed down to his brothers.
“Hot.” Jaxson muttered, then coughed when Ten glared at him. “I mean, she is very attractive, Tennessee.”
“Let me see.” Philip was next to view Molly’s photo. “She looks like Ziva on NCIS.”
“Wasn’t Ziva Israeli?” Jaxson asked.
“Only on the show, the actress was from Chile, I think.” Philip commented.
“Reyes is a Hispanic name, isn’t it?” Pepper asked.
“I think so,” Ten answered, “but I didn’t ask for her genealogical records. I’m dating the girl not her ancestors. Molly doesn’t have any family.” He watched his brother Heath take the phone and study the picture.
“Why don’t we take a ride after supper,” Heath suggested to Tennessee as he returned his phone without further comment.
To Tennessee’s relief, the topic changed at the dinner table and most of the focus moved away from him. The talk ranged from Philip’s troubles to their father’s condition to ranch business. When Ryder got tired of shop talk, she reached behind her and held up an envelope. “We’ve been invited to Isaac and Avery’s wedding.”
“When is it?” Heath asked.
“Two months away.” she answered, turning over the announcement to her sister.
“What can we get them for a present?” Pepper looked at Heath.
Heath held a dinner roll in the air. “That’s up to you girls, I’ve got a lot more important things to think about.”
Everyone grew quite. Pepper and Ryder looked at one another. Tennessee knew exactly what they were thinking. Heath hated weddings. He hated to even think about weddings. His ex-fiancé had left him at the altar. Their elder brother had a sour attitude toward all things romantic, and no one could really blame him.
“Are you ready?” Heath stood up, addressing Ten.
“You only ate one bowl?” Pepper said with worry in her voice. Heath usually ate three times that much.
Heath’s face softened as he saw the concern on their baby sister’s face. “Save me some. I’ll eat later. Tennessee and I have business to discuss.”
Ten hadn’t eaten all he’d wanted, but he didn’t keep his brother waiting. With a wink at his sisters, he followed Heath out of the kitchen and through the back door into the yard. It had been a while since he’d gone for a ride after dark. The Hill Country took on an entirely different atmosphere at night. They strolled to the barn and saddled their horses, heading out north toward the lake. “The sky seems to have more stars than usual,” Heath said slowly.
“I don’t think we often take the time to look.” Ten watched some of the herd head toward them, thinking they might get a midnight snack.
Heath pointed at a big bull standing motionless, his head down. “Old Bull Dozer is living up to his name. When I hung him with that moniker I did it because he was big and had some heavy equipment between his legs. I didn’t know he was just gonna be a snoozer.”
“He still makes fine calves. I just sealed the deal for Jaxson for a huge order of Dozer’s semen.”
Heath laughed. “I’m just glad we have invitro-fertilization. That old bull doesn’t have the get up to actually do the deed himself.”
“Have you thought about my opportunity? Do you think I can do it?” Tennessee glanced over at Heath, realizing how much he relied on his opinion.
“Of course you can, you’re a McCoy.” He clicked his tongue and headed his mount up a rise so they could look over the ranch from its highest point. “Now, give me the details.”
Tennessee was glad to talk. He told him about the Gage brothers, Ben Hunt, and the opportunity to bid. He also told Heath about visiting the site and what he envisioned. “I want to call the windfarm Thunder-Hawk.” The only thing he left out was Greg O’Neil’s involvement. He didn’t want to cast a bad light on the opportunity. It wasn’t like they’d be going into business together, one of the three would win the bid, and the other two would lose. He planned on being the winner.
“Sounds promising.” Heath asked a few questions about elevation, recorded wind velocities and number of acres.
Tennessee addressed all of his concerns, then asked the pivotal question. “What do you think my bid ought to be?”
They rode a little farther until they came to the top of the rise. The moonlight was bright enough that they could make out the terrain, even the cattle and horses dotting the hills and valleys. There was also the silhouettes of oil pumping stations visible in the distance. “Well, if I were you, I wouldn’t do a straight out amount per acre. I’d offer a cash stipend of a hundred dollars per acre, four percent of gross revenues, and grazing rights for the owner during the term of the lease.”
Tennessee tried to discern his brother’s face in the shadows
. He was smiling. “You’re a smart man, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I am.” Heath crossed his hands over the saddle horn. “Which is why you have to listen to me about Molly Reyes.”
Tennessee knew Heath would never intentionally steer him wrong. He only had his family’s best interest at heart. The only problem was, Heath had experienced heartache which colored his outlook on women and relationships as a whole. “I’m listening.”
“I’m worried about this woman you seem so serious about. I want you to be careful.”
“I will be, but you don’t know Molly, Heath.”
“Neither do you, you just met her.”
Tennessee couldn’t argue with the truth.
“You know I’ve been burned, Ten. I’d hate to see the same thing happen to you.”
“Amy was a viper, Heath. Molly is as honest as the day is long.”
Heath shook his head. “I’m just trying to look out for you, I don’t want you to make the same mistakes I have.”
“She really hurt you, didn’t she?”
“Oh, I’m fine.” Heath murmured, taking his hat off and running his fingers through his hair.
Ten could tell the topic made him nervous. “Someone else will come along, Heath.”
Heath snorted. “I’m not in the market for a wife.”
“Oh, you’ll fall one day, brother, you’ll fall hard. And I hope to be watching when it happens.”
“Hell will freeze over first.” Heath popped his reins, tapping his horse on the flank. “Giddy-up.”
Tennessee found himself left in the dust.
***
Molly was watching the clock and the minutes were just crawling by. Tick-tock. Tick-tock. She couldn’t wait to talk to Tennessee again. Hugging herself, she finally admitted something she’d known for a while. “I love him. I love him so much it hurts.” She was so ready to hear his voice. Her phone sat on the coffee table in front of her, just in case he called early. After she finished her homework for school, she tried to watch TV. After having to restart the episode of Revenge for the fourth time, she admitted her mind was firmly planted on one handsome cowboy.
Knock! Knock!