Her Kind of Cowboy

by Dylann Crush

  “Yeah. I played against him and Lacey’s brother, Luke, a few times on the football field. He had talent. I was surprised he didn’t make it to the pros.”

  Yes, Zeb had talent. He also had a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas and felt like he needed to prove something, so he’d enlisted in the Marines right out of high school.

  “Things don’t always turn out the way we hope.” Zina’s heart twisted a bit as she considered the future her brother might have had if he’d made a different choice. She probably wouldn’t be standing here talking to this cool drink of water if her brother had gone to college. She wouldn’t have had to take an early hardship discharge from the Army and would probably still be training dogs for the military.

  No need to revisit the coulda, woulda, shouldas of her past. She refocused her attention on the man in front of her.

  “You didn’t tell me your name.” She eyed him with newfound curiosity.

  “Sorry about that. Alex Sanders.”

  “And that’s your fiancée?” Zina peered past him to the woman standing by the truck.

  Alex laughed, a deep rumble of laughter that made her toes curl. And Zina’s toes didn’t curl easily.

  He hooked a thumb and gestured to the truck. “That’s my sister. I grew up over in Swynton. Just got back into town, and we’re on our way home from the airport.”

  “So what do you want with Lacey?” Her internal radar switched on high alert, and she tried to feel out his intentions.

  “I’ve got a proposition for her. Do you know if she’s currently using the warehouse for anything?” He stepped back and turned to face the direction of the warehouse. A line of tall trees obstructed it from view.

  “Just for storage right now. You have something you need to store?” Or something you need to hide? she thought to herself.

  “Maybe.” He slid the business card into the back pocket of his jeans. “I’ll give her a call. It was nice to meet you, Zina.”

  She didn’t like the way he said her name, the way he rolled the syllables over his tongue, drawing it out in his native Texas drawl. Didn’t like the way it made her stomach clench or her cheeks heat. Didn’t like it one bit.

  “Have a good day.”

  “Be sure and tell your brother I said hello.”

  She nodded, forcing a smile. She’d do no such thing. Not until she found out what Alex Sanders wanted with Lacey. He turned and made his way down the front steps, his shoulders rolling, making her insides twist and turn around themselves like a piece of licorice candy. As he and his sister stepped on the running boards and got into the truck, she reached for her phone. Lacey would strangle her if she didn’t give her a heads-up that the sex on a stick she’d just met was going to be giving her a call.

  three

  Alex hadn’t seen his nieces in person since he fled his hometown over eight years ago. They’d talked via video, but he was unprepared for how grown-up they were. When had Jordan gotten so tall? At twelve years old she looked a lot more like a teenager instead of the sweet toddler he used to sneak candy to. She barely glanced up from her phone as he followed Char into the cramped living room of the three-bedroom ranch. And that must be Izzy sitting next to her. How old was she now, eight or nine?

  The television blared some cartoon featuring princesses, and the two little ones, Frankie and Dolly, sat on the ground, staring up at the screen.

  “Girls, say hi to your uncle Alex.” Char reached out and turned off the TV.

  A collective groan rose from the floor.

  “Your uncle.” Char put an arm behind his back and propelled him forward a few steps.

  “Hey. Dolly and Frankie, right?” He tried to reconcile the tiny faces he’d seen on his phone screen with the two little girls in front of him. They seemed so big, so real.

  “Manners,” Char prompted.

  The youngest, Dolly, got to her feet, tripping over the sparkly nightgown that hung to the ground. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Uncle Alex.” She held her hand out as she dipped into a low curtsy.

  Char rolled her eyes. “That one thinks she’s a four-year-old princess. You’ll get used to it.”

  A princess? What did he know about princesses? He took her small hand in his and bent forward as he lifted it to his lips. “It’s nice to finally meet you in person, Dolly.”

  “Ew”—she yanked her hand back—“don’t kiss it.”

  Char put her hand on Dolly’s shoulder and spun her around. “Go put your real clothes on. We’re taking Uncle Alex out to dinner tonight.”

  “Oh, that’s not necessary.” He tried to picture the six of them clustered around a table. What did one talk about with girls? Especially little girls? Life at the research station was unfiltered. He’d never had to watch his language or think about what he said before it flew out of his mouth. Char appeared to run a fairly tight ship. Wouldn’t do him any good to get kicked out the day he arrived. “How about I grill up some steaks or something right here?”

  “I like hot dogs,” Frankie said. “With mustard and relish and no ketchup.”

  “Ketchup’s the best.” Izzy—a mini version of Char—bounced across the room, her feet barely touching the ground.

  “Ketchup’s gross. So’s mustard. And I won’t eat a hot dog unless it’s a tofu dog.” Jordan gave a salute from where she occupied the corner of the couch. “Hi, Uncle Alex. ’Sup?”

  “She’s a vegetarian this week,” Char said.

  “When did they get so big?” He couldn’t get over how much they’d grown.

  “Stick around and you can help us usher in the teen years.” Char moved around the room while she talked, picking up various items that appeared to have been abandoned by their owners. “If you’d rather stay in and have hot dogs, that’s easier.”

  “Hot dogs are fine.” He tracked her as she moved from one mess to the next. “How old are they all now? Jordan’s still only twelve, right?”

  Char nodded. “Izzy turns eleven in a few weeks and Frankie’s six. That’s what happens, they grow.”

  He shook his head. “I can’t believe it.”

  “Mom, can I wear lip gloss if we’re going out to dinner?” Izzy asked.

  “No. We’re staying home for hot dogs. Besides, you know you’re not allowed to wear makeup yet.”

  Alex stood there, soaking it in. The majority of his interactions over the past several years had been with men. The sheer quantity of estrogen in the room made his stomach queasy. “Is there somewhere I can go to—”

  “You need to go potty?” Dolly asked.

  “No.” Alex glanced to Char but she’d already started down the hall.

  “Follow me. I’ve got you set up in the back bedroom.”

  “That’s my room,” Izzy wailed. “How am I going to be able to work on my project if I can’t get into my room?”

  “Mommy says Izzy’s a drama mean.” Dolly nodded to herself.

  “It’s a drama queen, not mean,” Izzy yelled before slamming the louvered door leading into the kitchen. It didn’t stick, just bounced into the doorstop and ricocheted back and forth several times. “And I am not.”

  “Jordan, get over here and pick up your stuff.” Char stopped to pick up a hockey stick. “She thinks she’s going to play for the NHL someday. Can you believe it?”

  Alex hefted his duffel over his shoulder and made his way down the hall. Framed pictures lined the walls. An image of their parents’ wedding day hung at eye level. His mom beamed at his dad. His dad didn’t look quite as thrilled to be taking part in what Alex later learned was somewhat of a shotgun wedding. Where was she now? He shouldn’t care, but it still bothered him that she’d walked out on them.

  Char’s wedding photo hung underneath. She and Dave smiled into each other’s eyes like they were the only two people in the world. He let out a chuckle. Suckers. Look where that got
her . . . holding down the fort while her husband played Army thousands of miles away. He thanked his lucky stars he’d managed to make it to the ripe old age of twenty-eight without falling for that kind of a setup.

  A few more steps and he entered a small bedroom that appeared to have a split personality. Hockey posters covered two of the walls. Wayne Gretzky peered down on him while Sidney Crosby took a slap shot to the goal. Dark blue paint peeked out from underneath the posters, and a lamp made out of hockey pucks sat next to the narrow twin bed.

  “The two older girls share. Jordan’s into hockey and, well, Izzy’s into animals.” Char leaned the hockey stick up against the corner of the room.

  “You hear anything from Mom?” He tried to act casual, like it wouldn’t matter either way.

  “Just the annual Christmas card.” Char shrugged. “I haven’t talked to her in years. The return address is a post office box in Biloxi.”

  “Mississippi?” Alex asked.

  “Yep. She’d probably send you one, too, if you ever settled down and got yourself a permanent address.”

  “Wouldn’t be worth it.” He shot his sister a grin. She knew him better than anyone, which meant she was very familiar with his inability to stay in one place too long.

  “Even now?” Char folded a pair of pants and set them on one of the beds. “I figured once you’d been on the road for a while you might want to come home. Hasn’t all that wanderlust seeped out of your veins yet?”

  Alex held her gaze for a moment, but the hope and hurt made him look away. How could he explain his need to keep moving? She wouldn’t understand. Her whole life was here in this house with Dave and the girls. But Alex didn’t have anything holding him to a certain place. He never had and if it were up to him, he never would.

  He glanced around the other half of the room. Pictures of kittens and puppies and . . . his gaze stopped at a large cage hanging in the corner. “What the hell is that?”

  “What the hell is that? What the hell is that?” a giant bird squawked as it flapped its wings and flew out of the open door of the cage.

  Alex ducked as it dive-bombed his head before settling on top of the dresser.

  “Alex, meet Shiner Bock, the newest member of the family.” Char picked up a discarded sweatshirt.

  “What is it?” Alex evaluated the large bird as it sat and pecked at its wings with a giant curved beak.

  “A parrot. Izzy traded her bike for it a couple of weeks ago to some guy driving through the neighborhood.” Char pulled open a drawer, and the bird climbed onto her shoulder. “She got grounded for a month for talking to a stranger and we got Shiner Bock.”

  “Got Shiner,” the bird mimicked.

  Alex let his bag fall to the ground. “Thanks for putting me up. I promise I’ll find my own place as soon as I can.”

  Char turned to him. “I’m so glad to have you here.”

  The bird cocked its head one way and then the other.

  “Maybe it’s good to be home.”

  “Yeah?” She tilted her head to the side, matching the parrot’s pose.

  Alex stifled a laugh. “Yeah, for a little while.”

  He meant it. He might have left the small world of Swynton behind when he tore out of town all those years ago. But it was nice to be back among the only family he had left. As long as he got out before everyone started to smother him with expectations.

  There was a fine line between a nice visit and making a commitment. He’d be more than willing to help out while he was around. From the looks of things, Char needed it. Dave had been on back-to-back tours since Jordan was a baby. Seemed like he only had enough time between tours to come back, meet the newest kid, and knock up his wife again.

  But Char could handle it. She was the strong one in the family, always had been. Alex would stick around long enough to collect his paycheck and make sure Gramps was settled somewhere before he took off again. That meant the clock was ticking and it was time to get started.

  * * *

  * * *

  Zina pulled up Lacey’s number on speaker as she made her way across town. Zeb had an appointment with his therapist and refused to take the free shuttle that provided rides for local veterans. He said it reminded him too much of being on the transport vehicle when they’d run over the IED that ended his military career.

  “Hey, what’s up?” Lacey asked.

  “I just wanted to let you know that I ran by the Phillips House and dropped off your linens.”

  “Great, thanks.” Lacey must have held her hand over the mic. Her voice sounded muffled as she said something to someone in the background.

  “And I ran into someone interesting.” Zina waited for a response. When none came, she continued. “He used to play football against your brother and Zeb.”

  The phone clunked like Lacey had dropped it. Zina knew her best friend had taken on too many obligations since she’d been elected mayor. And she’d added even more to her overflowing plate when she married Deputy Sheriff Bodie Phillips last spring and became the sole contact for Ido’s budding wedding business. But somehow, with everything else she had going on, she’d always found time for Zina. At least until recently.

  “Hellooooo?” Zina said. “You there?”

  A click came through the phone. “Go ahead. Sorry about that. You were saying?”

  “I was trying to warn you that you’re going to be getting a call from a guy who stopped by the Phillips House.”

  “A guy? What kind of a guy?” Lacey still sounded distracted. She’d lost interest in other men when she’d tied the knot with her own childhood crush.

  “A hot-as-hell piece of man candy I’d like to lick in all the right places.” Zina smiled to herself. That ought to get Lacey’s attention.

  Silence. Usually Lacey would shoot back a snappy reply to a comment like that. Instead, a deep laugh rolled through the speaker.

  “Should I be worried?” Bodie asked.

  Zina’s cheeks burned like they’d been seared on a flaming barbecue grate. “Bodie? Where’s Lacey?”

  Lacey’s laughter filled the cab of the pickup. “I’m right here. I’ve got you on speaker. You might want to curb your enthusiasm. Not everyone needs to know how long it’s been since you had the chance to lick a proper piece of man candy.”

  Stunned into momentary silence, Zina contemplated hanging up. “I realize y’all are married now but for the love of all things holy, do you have to share everything with him?”

  The phone clicked again. “I’m sorry. You’re off speaker now. Feel better?”

  “No. In fact, I don’t feel better. Who else knows how long it’s been since I’ve licked anything?”

  “No one. Bodie just stopped by with some paperwork I needed to sign. He’s leaving now.” The sound of a smacking kiss, then a giggle from Lacey made Zina’s stomach churn.

  “Want to call me back after you’ve violated your husband in the privacy of your public office?”

  “No. He’s gone now. I promise. Please, fill me in on this lickable man.”

  “Forget it.” Zina pulled into the drive of the group home where her brother lived. “I try to do a good deed by giving you a heads-up and now I’ll never live it down.”

  “I’m sorry. It’s too easy to poke fun. Seriously, though, what did he want?”

  “He wants to talk to you about renting the warehouse.”

  “For what?”

  “I have no idea. But I gave him your card and he said he’d be giving you a call. My duty is done. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to drive Zeb to his appointment and get back in time to meet the roofing guy.”

  Lacey clucked her tongue. “Did you get his name?”

  “Who, the roofing guy?”

  “No, the man candy.”

  “Yeah, Alex somebody. Said he used to play football against Luke and Z
eb. He grew up over in Swynton and came by with his sister.”

  “Not Alex Sanders,” Lacey said. “If you’re talking about Alex Sanders, then your lickable man candy assessment is right on the money. Oh hell, he was hot back in high school.”

  “Well he’s matured into hotter hotness and he’s going to be looking you up, so be forewarned.”

  “Hmm. You know I’m off the market but if there’s new lickable man candy in town, I think it’s only fitting that you take a chance.”

  Zina pressed her hand to her heart as it began to thump in double time. Figures that Lacey would make a suggestion like that. “You only want me to settle down so you don’t feel so guilty for being so freaking happy all the time.”

  “You may be right about that. It really is a downer when you shut me up when I try to talk about how great married sex is.”

  “I’ve got to go. My ears are on fire and as it is I’ll never be able to take anything Deputy Phillips says seriously again.”

  “Just don’t let him cuff you. You have no idea where those handcuffs have been.”

  “I’m hanging up now.”

  “Love you, girl.”

  “Love you, too.” Zina ended the call. Let no good deed go unpunished. She’d only been trying to give Lacey a heads-up. Now she’d have unwelcome visions of her best friend and Bodie and a pair of department-issued handcuffs floating around in her head. As if she needed anything else to make her painfully, uncomfortably, achingly aware of how long her current dry spell had lasted.

  As she shoved all thoughts of Alex Sanders out of her mind, lickable torso and all, she made her way to the front door. Zeb stepped out on the stoop, his service dog by his side. He didn’t go anywhere without Semper, not since Zina had finally found an organization that could provide him with a highly trained dog to help him with his debilitating PTSD. She’d been so impressed with Zeb’s improvement since he’d started working with Semper that she’d been volunteering with the group to identify rescue pups that came into For Pitties’ Sake that might be good candidates to enter their training program. If she couldn’t do her part by actively serving in the military, at least she could try to make those who did serve more comfortable when they returned home.