Save Her (Texas Hearts Series Book 1), page 8
Before enough time had passed for it to be legally possible, she hit town and in mere minutes had pulled into the dirt parking lot.
She could hear the music through the building’s thick walls. With the windows on her truck down, she pulled into the empty parking spot next to the Sheriff’s cruiser.
Killing the truck, she walked into the bar. As the door closed behind her, the acrid smell of burning tobacco assaulted her nostrils, the music reaching almost painful decibels as it pounded her ears, as the bass vibrated through her body. The room was dark but for the lamps hanging above the pool tables and the strategically placed neon beer signs hung on the walls encompassing the breadth and width of the bar.
Stopping just inside the doorway, she searched the crowd for one face, his face.
Couples circled the dance floor, two-stepping and twirling around in time to the song playing. Loud voices rivaled the blasting speakers and beer bottles clanked as a small crowd sitting at a table against the wall drew her attention. A hand grabbed her arm.
She looked up in alarm to see the sheriff, who motioned her to the bar and ordered them a beer, while they sat down on the bar stools.
"Now, Katy, I feel like it’s my duty as a cop to point out that you had to be speeding a lot to get here this fast."
"As it's my duty as your goddaughter to point out your beer, which I know Thelma does not approve of. I know, Sheriff; I kind of got a surprise on my way out the door, and it made me so mad I didn't even realize how fast I was going."
"What kind of a surprise?" he asked with a worried look.
She looked around to make sure no one could overhear them.
"Remember the state of my house the other day?"
At his nod she continued, "When I walked out the door to get in my car, I found a screwdriver on the ground by my tire. All four of them were flat. Identical holes in the side of each one."
Immediately straightening out of his lazy slouch, his back became rigid.
"Where’s the screwdriver now?"
Thinking about it, she realized she had never picked it up.
"Well, I guess it’s still on the ground by my rear drivers’ side tire. I didn’t even think to pick it up. I was so angry I went straight to the barn to get the ranch truck."
Pulling the police radio from his belt, he raised it to his mouth, pausing to ask, "Did you see anyone?"
"No, I didn't even look for anyone."
Pressing the talk button on the radio, he said, "Dispatch, I need someone over to the Dunlap place, pronto. Someone punctured Katy's tires with a screwdriver, last seen on the ground beside her rear drivers’ side tire."
"10-4, Sheriff."
"I want confirmation as soon as the officer gets there."
"Sure thing, Sheriff."
Replacing the radio on his belt he said, "Darlin’ girl, I think we'd better get Sean into your ride and head out to your place."
"OK."
Leaving the untouched beer on the bar, she turned around to look for Sean.
"He's right over there, life of the party tonight, he is."
Walking to the table he indicated, the one she had noticed when she entered, she pushed through the crowd to find Sean in a chair, a well-known bar fly on his lap, arms around his neck.
"Sean."
He looked up through bleary eyes trying to focus on the source of her voice. Reaching up, he rubbed an absent hand across his eyes.
"Peach?"
Coming to stand next to his chair, angry more than she should be and more than just a little hurt by his behavior after the kiss they'd shared, she let jealousy overwhelm when she spoke through clenched teeth, "Unless you'd like to go to jail, I suggest you take your butt to my truck. I’m leaving right now."
Turning away, she stomped from the table, so angry that her hands were shaking.
"Just who the heck does she think she is? Ordering you around and telling you what to do? She’s got some nerve. Why don't you have another drink, darlin’, and I’ll take you home later. Guarantee I’ll be more fun to be around."
Indignant at the way the other woman had dared to speak in such a loud voice, making sure she had been heard, Katy stopped in her tracks. Turning around, she slowly retraced her steps. The people surrounding the table took a step back, people she had known her whole life who had never seen her quite so angry.
"Woo, look who's coming back. Got something to say, rich bitch?"
Sean just sat there, perhaps too drunk to understand what was going on but maybe, just maybe, waiting to see how it would pan out.
He wanted the old Katy? By God, he was going to get her.
Stopping right in front of where the other woman now stood, right in front of Sean's chair, Katy tore into her. "Look, you little two-bit bar whore, you don't know anything about me or Sean. You think you would be more than a one-night stand? He would not be caught dead with you during the daylight. How many beers did you have to feed him to get that close? As for who I think I am, I am the person who has been that jackass’s friend his whole life. And as his friend I came here in the middle of the damn night to drive him home because Sheriff says he's too drunk to drive, and obviously he doesn't think you're that great an option either."
Pointing her finger in the other girl’s face, she continued, "Don't ever let me hear you talking about me again, because I may have money now, but I was brought up on a ranch, lugging feed bags and pulling calves, and I’m pretty sure I can take you here and now or any other time."
In shock, she stood there with her mouth hanging wide as Katy looked over her shoulder at Sean, who had stood up at some point during the tirade.
"You know what, Cowboy? It was a mistake. Plain and simple. But you succeeded in one thing. The old Katy is back. Guess I should thank you for my backbone. You just stay here with your bar fly, and I’ll head on home. I hope she remembers to bail you out tomorrow, but just remember one thing; I've always been here, waiting for you. You. Not the rodeo star. She's only after your money and your reputation."
Turning, she hurried away from him for the second time in one night with him in hot pursuit, calling her name.
As she exited the bar walking dejectedly to her truck, sure that they had fed the gossip mill for a few more weeks at least, the sheriff rushed passed her, hurrying inside. Turning around, he all but ran up to her right as Sean caught up.
"I was coming inside to get y'all. Katy, the screwdriver was gone, but y'all should get back to the spread pretty quick."
Turning to Sean, he said, "Look, Sean, I'm sorry, buddy but whoever punctured Katy's tires did a number on your house."
Confused, Sean looked back and forth between the two of them trying to understand. "Someone punctured your tires?"
"Yeah, it’s a long story."
Turning to the sheriff, she asked, "What's wrong with Sean's house?"
Shaking his head in a regretful way, he said, "By the time the officer got there, it was fully engulfed in flames. He called the fire department, but by the time they got there, there was nothing left but rubble. It burnt to the ground. You are real fortunate that whoever did this didn’t hurt you, too. They had to have been around there somewhere."
"Wait, are you saying someone burnt my house down?" Sean was still struggling to connect the dots.
"I’m sorry, son, but yeah, I've got some of my boys out there right now, but so far all they've found is some tire tracks. We need to go ahead and head out there. I want you guys safe while the area is secured, and I’m posting an officer outside. We don't want this person getting any closer until we figure it out."
"OK, Sheriff, let’s go."
Hopping into the truck, they slammed the doors and followed the sheriff at top speeds to get there. The sheriff running his lights and sirens got them there quickly. Neither Sean nor Katy said a word the entire drive home.
Pulling into the driveway, they saw that his childhood home had been reduced to a pile of burning embers and a heap of charred wood, the frame of the house standing only out of sheer stubbornness.
Killing the truck, she got out and motioned for Sean and Sheriff to come inside. Walking into the kitchen, she reheated the pot of coffee and gathered some mugs. Pouring the steaming black liquid into the mugs, she made her way to the table and walked over to give Sean a hug.
"I’m so sorry, Sean. So sorry."
Kissing her forehead, he brushed the hair away from her face tenderly and asked in a hoarse voice, "Are you OK, Peach?"
She nodded.
"I’m sorry; I never should have left you here alone. You could have been hurt or something worse. I cannot lose you, Peach. I just seem to keep messing this up. You have to know that you’re—"
Sheriff came into the kitchen with two of the officers who had worked the fire, cutting off whatever he was going to say.
"We'll talk later, OK?" Sean finished his sentence.
She nodded again, then he surprised her by gently kissing her on the lips in front of everyone before he let her pull away to go fix two more cups.
Chapter 11:
By the time she woke the next day it was past noon. After filling Sean in on everything, they had talked until past four that morning. Katy had fallen asleep on the couch, though by the looks of it, Sean had carried her to bed then passed out beside her.
Sneaking one more look out of the corner of her eye, she saw that Sean was now watching her, so she quickly shut it tightly.
His quiet laughter shook the bed as he drew her closer. "Playing possum, Peach? After the way you put Daisy in her place last night I didn't think possum was your style anymore, but as you can see I wasn't too sure, so I decided to make it impossible for you to run from me again."
Giving up the disastrous charade, she opened her eyes to look at him.
"How are you holding up, Cowboy?"
"Oh, I’m fine. I have an insurance policy on the house; it can be rebuilt or whatever we decide to do with it. You’re safe and the animals are safe, and that is really all I care about. How is it that sometimes you call me Cowboy and it sounds like a caress, then at other times it sounds derogatory? Last night, derogatory; now, caress."
"I don't know. Sometimes it’s an affectionate nickname, at others I remember..." Her voice trailed off, not wanting to bring up how painful it had been for her when he had left to pursue a rodeo career.
"Why do you always do that? Always tiptoeing around my leaving and how much it hurt you. Don't you think I know? That I knew then? Katherine, look at me, damn it!"
Begrudgingly, she met his eyes. He sat up, so she did the same, unsure of what to expect. He reached out with both hands, framing her face.
"Let’s do this once and for all. It’s time to put all of our cards on the table now. I knew I was going to hurt you by leaving, but really, what could I offer you? You had big plans for college and a career, and I had nothing. You think I didn’t care, which at the time was for the best but completely untrue. I have always, always cared about you. I have always loved you. Every single day of your life my heart has been yours. You have always been my number one. I wanted you to have a chance at your future. We both know that if I'd left and we’d stayed together, eventually you'd have forgone college to follow the rodeo with me, and I'd have given in. You would have been pregnant in no time and have lost all chances at your dreams. I just wanted you to have a chance to finish school, and then we could be together. I weakened enough that I called you the next day to tell you that, but that was the day you started running away from me. You told me about your date with Chad, and I damn near turned the truck around. Oh, I was so mad, but I went to my rodeo, and the more I thought about it, the more I realized there might be someone better for you and I had never given you the chance to see. Not that weasel, but maybe someone. Always, I was so jealous, running off any of the boys who showed any interest in you. When I heard the gist of what had happened with Chad when you finally got around to that date, I was so angry. I was making plans to head home before I realized what I was doing, but Mom told me you weren’t going to see him again, so I went back so mad that that bull had no idea what was coming. That was my first major ride. As the night wore on, I knew that I had to give you the chance to find someone new. When we lost Dad, I was so tempted to beg you to take me back, but I still had no real future to offer you, so I held my tongue, then I tried to back away, but when we lost Mom, my whole world fell apart. I could barely function. When I left that time, I could not consider dragging you into my world. After a couple of years, I talked to your parents, and after that, we talked all the time. I tried, really tried, to get back here in time for your graduation, but I had committed to a charity ride and couldn’t get out of it. Then I just started making excuses. I guess once I knew that you had finally achieved your goals and we could be together, I was terrified that you wouldn’t want me back. I kept making excuses, but it all boils down to cowardice. I knew the time was coming when I would have to come back to talk to you and would have and still will beg for forgiveness if I have to, but when Sheriff called, I cut my plans short, manned the hell up, and headed home as fast as I could to be with you. Last night, I honestly was so sure that I would never get through to you that I never considered how my recklessness would hurt you. I had no plans to have anything but a few drinks with Daisy. Although,"—he dropped his hands and wrapped a friendly arm around her shoulder, pulling her close and leaning against the headboard—"jealousy is definitely hot on you."
"Hey! I was not jealous of that... that person."
"Daisy."
"Fine, Daisy,” she said begrudgingly, “but she was running her mouth. Mood I was in, she's lucky she has any teeth."
"Oh, you were jealous. So, what do you think?"
"About what?"
"Can you forgive me?"
"Oh, you mean for breaking my heart repeatedly?" Seeing his pained cringe, she relented, "Well, I don’t hate you, and I see now that you felt like you had no choice, but what about Courtney?"
"What about her? Nothing to tell. She is a friend of mine, but so is her brother, and her ex and his brother, for that matter. I'm not sure how she even plays into this conversation."
"She's just a friend? That's it? I thought you guys were in a serious relationship."
"Yes, she is just a friend and has only ever been just a friend, scout’s honor. Aren't you the jealous one today? Do you forgive me, Peach? Will you give me another chance?" A million objections raced through her mind. There was so much to talk about. They had lived separate lives and not only was he saying now that he was not engaged or married to Courtney, he was saying that he never had so much as been in a relationship with her. More than the need to understand the past, though, she was desperate to be with the man she had always loved so she let it go and gave him the answer he was hoping for. They would have time later for questions and answers. They had it all again.
"Did you ever really doubt it, Cowboy?"
Letting out a loud whoop, he pulled her into his arms for a deep kiss.
"I've missed you so damn much, Peach."
"Me too."
"Let’s go riding. We haven't ridden together in years."
"Sounds good, Sean, but first, can I say something, too?"
"Well, if you are back to calling me Sean, it must be pretty good, so please have your say, but be gentle with me. I just got my girl back, so don't go breaking my little ole heart."
Smiling, she took a deep breath and started, "Well, you covered most of it, but you need to know that I have loved you since as far back as I can remember, and I have been in love with you since I was fourteen years old. I don't think I can take another emotional beating from you, so if you aren't one hundred percent sure of this, or if you're going to suddenly become noble again, please don't lead me on. Back out now before the stakes get any higher for me. I've lost enough already to have my heart broken again."
"Katy, I'll never hurt you again, at least not intentionally. You are the only person I want or have wanted, ever. I'll prove it to you with time, I promise."
"Well, Cowboy, I have time. Let's go for that ride."
A DAY SPENT IN THE saddle after being out of it for so long can be painful, and walking the horses back home, she was hurting in places she had forgotten existed. Of course, Sean had to keep talking crap.
"Wow, Peach, I’m gone a couple years and you get out of shape. Shame on you... Or are you trying to get some pity?"
"Sean, I love you, but if you don't shut up, I am going to murder you!"
Realizing she was riding alone, she stopped her horse and looked back. Sean had a huge smile on his face, but his horse stood completely still while Sean’s eyes had glazed over. Wondering if he had lost his mind, she circled around and pulled her horse to a stop next to him.
"Hey, Cowboy, you hit your head when I wasn't looking?"
"You love me?"
"You've always known that."
"You've haven’t said the actual words in so long, though. Say it again."
"Okay, Sean? I.... am so not repeating myself unless you can beat me back to the barn!"
The last part drifted over her shoulder as she kicked her horse into a run. She had about a five-second start on him before his horse passed hers as if they were standing still.
By the time they reached the barn, he was leaning against a stall, as nonchalant as if he had been standing there all day. She drew her horse to a halt and tried to bail from the saddle before he reached her but was not successful.
As she swung her right leg over the saddle, she felt his hand running down the inside of it. She slid off the side of the saddle, and he was there, his body pressed against hers. She was trapped between him and the horse. As soon as her feet touched the ground, he turned her in his arms and with his lips barely touching, he whispered against hers, "Tell me again."
"Sean, I love you."
Swinging her around in his arms, he shouted, "She loves me!" spooking her horse, which jerked as if shot. He whispered a few soothing words to the skittish horse before he pulled her legs up and carried her across the barn, setting her down lightly on a square bale of hay.
