Between Hope & the Highway (33 page)

I laughed at how he worked his initials into Rebel. A second one chimed.

Rawson:
I know it’s late, so don’t reply. But you could send me an emoticon…preferably the smiley face kind.

I sent him a bunch of happy, laughing emoticons. They perfectly reflected my mood this early Christmas morning.

Chapter 56

Rawson

As I waited once more for Lizzie to arrive at the airport, I couldn’t help but grin. I was certain I could convince her to be my girl tonight. My twelve days of Christmas gifts had softened her. At least, that’s what I hoped. She hadn’t dated anyone else since agreeing to hang out with me on a casual basis. But with the new guy working with her as of ten days ago, I didn’t dare leave anything to chance. I wanted commitment.

When Liz walked through the double doors without a goofy cowboy escort, I grabbed her and spun her around. “Hey, gorgeous.”

She pulled back with a huge grin. “You made this the best Christmas ever. Seriously. Tongan drummers?” She laughed. “No one has ever done anything so nice for me.”

I squeezed her hand. “Then it’s about time someone did.”

When we stopped at the luggage carousel, she pulled out a present from her carry-on bag. “Sorry it’s late. I feel bad I didn’t do more.”

I tugged her around to face me. “But you have.” When confusion lines creased her brow, I explained, “You’ve made me the happiest man alive.”

She rolled her eyes. “That’s not—”

“Truly, Liz. Before I met you, I was the most miserable man on earth, but since you came into my life, I’ve had reason to smile and laugh and be grateful for each day. That’s the greatest gift ever.”

Her expression screamed doubt, but she didn’t argue. “Open it.”

In the middle of the airport, I ripped off paper and pulled the top off the box. I chuckled when I saw a
Star Wars
license plate frame that read,
My other ride is the Millennium Falcon
. There was also a decal for my window that had Yoda’s face with the words:
Pass you I will.

I grinned. “You know me well.”

“It’s not much, but I—”

I pressed a finger to her lips. “It’s perfect. Thank you.”

When her gaudy pink luggage slid down the chute, I dragged it behind me and took her hand. I helped her into the truck before situating her girly gear behind the seat. It was snowing and I didn’t want it to get wet. Hopping inside, I patted the middle spot.

“Are you ready to be my girl yet?”

She scooted over without a fight and gifted me with one of her dimpled smiles. “I guess.”

“You guess?” I huffed. “Don’t sound so excited.”

She giggled as she fastened her seatbelt. “Yes, I’ll be your girl.”

I wrapped my arm around her as I pulled away from the curb. “That’s better.”

She snuggled against me, and a grin split my face the whole way home. The storm had intensified by the time we pulled into the garage. I knew it’d be dicey getting over the pass, but didn’t want to end our time together. I needed a few more minutes.

Helping her out, I draped my arm around her. “Let’s get you inside and warm you up with some hot chocolate. It’s a chilly one tonight.”

Dropping her suitcase at the bottom of the stairs, I steered her into the kitchen and set her on the counter.

“No peeking.” I turned my shoulder so she couldn’t see me creating the concoction Damon and I had discovered as freshmen. “You have to give me a kiss if you want me to reveal the secret ingredients.”

“I know it has Hazelnut flavoring.”

“You can try to make your own, but it won’t taste as good.”

Pouring the frothy cocoa into mugs, I brought them over and set them on the counter. “Wrap these legs around me, baby.”

I pulled her dangling legs around me and nestled into her. Her still-red cheeks turned even brighter as she met my gaze from beneath long lashes. We sipped from our mugs at the same time. The golden flecks in her eyes seemed to burn as the edges of her lips tipped upward.

“Oh, my. This is even better than last time.”

“Just say the word and the secret will be yours.” I leaned in to kiss her brow. “I’ve missed you like crazy.”

“I missed you too.”

“It’s going to be pure torture being so close, yet so far away. Every time I’m on the Cat, I’ll want to go AWOL from the herd and zip home to hold you in my arms.”

“Don’t. Your dad wouldn’t be pleased.”

I grunted. “He’ll never be pleased.”

“That’s not true. I begged him to reassign you so we wouldn’t have to hire anyone. I said you were the best, and he agreed.”

“You’re lying.”

“No. He really did, but he said he wasn’t switching you until after calving season because you’re doing a stellar job—better than any other hand that’s been in charge.”

“I’m damned if I do, and damned if I don’t.” I grimaced. “How’s the wanna-be cowboy from Florida working out?”

“Garret Tullis. He’s a godsend. I only had a week to train him before I went home, but he’s a fast-learner. I think he’ll be perfect.”

“Perfect?” I growled. “I don’t think so. That man was checking you out in the airport, even after I tried to discourage him. Garret’s a ferret.”

She punched my arm. “Be nice. Your father’s super impressed with him.”

“Are you?” I asked through clenched teeth.

“Yeah. The guy knows what he’s doing. He did the rodeo circuit for three years and spent the last year working on a ranch in Oklahoma. He’s a hard worker.”

“Just make sure he keeps his hands to himself and remembers you’re the boss. I know guys, and trust me, that Florida ferret wants more from you than a job.”

“You’re delusional.”

Muscles in my jaw worked overtime. Why did she insist on being so clueless? I set my mug on the counter. “Tell me I wasn’t delusional when you agreed to be my girl earlier.” I leaned in to lay feather kisses down her neck.

“No. You were in your right mind then,” she replied between breathy gasps.

As I took hold of her arms, she trembled. I gently sucked the skin beneath her chin and kissed her throat. Her hand rubbed the stubble on my jaw, throwing me into turbo mode. I moaned and leaned closer, arching her back.

“Oh dear!” someone yelped behind me.

Lizzie jerked and banged her head against the cupboard. She winced as I turned to catch Mom blushing brighter than a Christmas ornament.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know anyone was in here.” She turned to go, but I called after her.

“Don’t go, Mom.” I winked and stood beside my flustered girl. “I just made Liz some cocoa. You want some?” I pointed to the Cocomotion machine.

“I don’t want to intrude.” She blushed like she’d been caught in her undies.

“You won’t. In fact, I’d like to make an introduction.” I grabbed Lizzie’s hand. “Mom, meet my girl.”

She stared at us before breaking into a huge smile. “Really?” When Liz nodded, Mom clapped her hands. “When did this happen?”

“Tonight.” I helped Liz down from the counter and took her hand.

Mom danced over to hug her. “This makes me so happy.” She turned to me and grinned. “Good choice, son.”

I handed her a mug of frothy chocolate. “I totally agree.”

Chapter 57

Liz

“You should come with me tonight,” Garret said.

I pulled the bridle off the new bay gelding. “I don’t know.”

“You’d like it. The kids are great and it’s therapeutic to help others. Your story would change lives.”

I chewed my lip as scenes from the accident flitted through my mind. Garret had started a SADD group—Students Against Destructive Decisions—as soon as he moved to town. The first meeting would be held tonight. He was passionate about helping teenagers avoid the harmful effects of drugs, alcohol, texting while driving, and other bad decisions, and guide them to more positive outlets. I liked that about him. Not only had he worked out well as an employee, but we’d connected as friends because of similar tragedies. His aunt and niece had died in a car accident a few months ago the same as Justin had.

“I want to go, but can’t get away tonight.” I wrinkled my nose. Truthfully, I didn’t know if Rawson would approve of me driving to town with Garret. He seemed quite jealous.

Garret brushed his horse. “Promise you’ll come next time. I’d love for you to be a guest presenter.”

“Count me in.” That would give me time to run the idea past Rawson. He wouldn’t like it, but if I could mold my tragedy into purpose, I had to try.

“If you came tonight, you’d get a feel for the format of the meeting. How about it?”

A new voice joined the conversation. “How about what?”

Whipping around, I grinned. “Rawson! You’re here.”

He pulled me into his arms and spun me around. “How’s my girl?” He set me on my feet and took my hand.

“I’m good. Garret leads a SADD meeting for teens and asked if I wanted to come.”

Rawson’s eyes narrowed. “Lizzie’s with me tonight.” He stepped between us and turned his back to Garret. It would’ve been funny if it wasn’t so rude. “I was thinking we could—”

I stepped to the side, determined to be polite. “Garret, I don’t think you’ve met Rawson.” Muscles worked overtime beneath Rawson’s incredible jawline. “Rawson, this is the new hand your father hired. Garret Tullis from Brooksville, Florida. Garret,” I touched Rawson’s arm, “this is Rawson Law, Bart’s oldest son.”

“And Lizzie’s boyfriend,” he added, making me roll my eyes.

“It’s nice to meet you finally.” Garret, at least, had manners. He stretched out his hand to shake Rawson’s.

Rawson’s expression mimicked a toddler eating spinach as he barely made contact. “What brought you out west?”

“Kind of the same thing as Lizzie. My aunt and niece were killed by a drunk driver not too long ago, and I needed to get away.”

I shook my head to silence him.

Noticing my wordless warning, Rawson frowned.

Garret hit his forehead. “Oh, I’m sorry. Have you not told him what happened?”

I couldn’t meet Rawson’s accusing gaze as I shook my head.

“Well, I can certainly understand that, darlin’.” I winced as he drawled the endearment. “There’s the whole trust issue for sharing sensitive subjects like that.”

My cheeks heated as I dug my boot into sawdust. Peeking up at Rawson, the rigid set of his lips and blazing eyes warned of danger. I shoved the bridle and bit into his hands and turned to Garret.

“I’m calling it a day. Can you finish putting everything away for me?”

“Anything for you, darlin’.” He grinned as he tied the new gelding to a post. “Nice meeting you, Rawson.”

Rawson sent him a nasty look before walking to the tack room. As we hung gear, he mimicked Garret. “Anything for you, darlin’.” Grabbing my hand, he practically dragged me from the room. “Please tell me you didn’t buy all his crap.”

Understanding how Garret’s insinuation must have upset him, I forgave his ranting.

Rawson’s nostrils flared. “What a ferret.”

We entered the house and dislodged our boots in the mud room. “I wish you’d stop calling him that. He’s a nice guy and just wants me to help at his SADD meeting.”

As I followed him downstairs, he snapped, “I’m certain he wants you to help him all right. Just not in the innocent way you’re thinking.”

“Simmer down. You have nothing to worry about.” I took his hand, finding the whole situation ironic. Plain, awkward
moi
assuring the most handsome man on earth that he didn’t need to worry about another man stealing my heart. I must have fallen into a far-fetched novel.

He sank onto the couch and heaved a weary sigh. “Sorry. It’s just when I realized you’d confided in him instead of me, I kind of wanted to tear the limbs from his scrawny body.”

I shook my head as I sat beside him. Garret wasn’t scrawny.

Rawson wrapped an arm around me. “Can you tell me now?”

“I’ve wanted to tell you for a while, but there’s never been a good moment. It’s sad and makes me cry…and all you’ve done is make me happy. Don’t feel bad I told Garret. It doesn’t mean I trust him more as he implied.”

He traced my cheek, causing my blood to heat up like molten lava.

“When you do that,” I whispered, “it’s hard to tell you anything.”

A lazy grin crept up his face. “Do you want me to stop?”

“No.”

“He mentioned a drunk driver. What happened, babe?”

I blinked back tears. “I was engaged before I came here.” Rawson nestled me into his chest, allowing the comfort of his body to draw the sad story from me. “It was November 23rd—the day we were to marry. I was waiting at the church. I called Justin to see if he was close when I heard this terrible noise I’ll never forget and he cut out.”