Boots and The Rogue: Ugly Stick Saloon, Book 10 (12 page)

“Then why are you crying?”

“He doesn’t love me.”

Audrey’s eyes widened. “What do you mean? From what I saw, he was loving the stuffin’ out of you in the storeroom.” She winked.

“He never said so…and…and…he’s leaving for Seattle as soon as he can.” Jessie straightened and scrubbed her hands over her face. “I can’t stay at the Rafter M. Do you know anywhere I can stay until I figure out where to go next? I only have a little money I made from working.”

“Honey, you can stay with me and Jackson for the time being. Mark’s waiting to take you home now.”

“Brody thinks he’s taking me.”

“I’ll sneak you out the back and have Mark pick you up there.”

“Are you sure I should stay with you? You don’t need my drama in your life. You’re about to have all you can handle. I need to find a place that can take Scout, my horse.”

Audrey hugged her again. “I could use a little help around the house. I’m finding it harder to keep up, and Jackson has turned all my white things pink when he lends a hand with the laundry. And we have just the place for Scout. I’ll have Mark and Luke go get him tomorrow.”

“It’s too much.” Jessie shook her head. “I can’t impose.”

“I insist and Jackson will too.” She turned Jessie toward the door. “Now, come on. I have to get you out of here without you being seen. Hide behind me. I’m as big as a barn. No one will notice you.”

“Don’t be silly. The only big part of you is your baby bump.”

“You’re a doll. I’m going to keep you around for an ego boost.” Audrey peeked out the door. “Brody’s talking to his brothers. Make a run for it and I’ll round up Mark.”

Keeping her head low, Jessie ran for the hallway leading to the back exit. She didn’t stop until she stood on the back porch and stared out at the big Texas sky full of stars, her heart heavy. In the short time she’d been with the McFarlans, she’d felt more at home than anywhere else she’d lived. She should have known better than to fall in love with a cowboy and his family. Mrs. McFarlan had been like the mother she never knew.

Tears welled in her eyes and slipped down her cheeks. Yeah, her daddy would have been appalled, but she just couldn’t stop them from falling.

Chapter Eleven

Brody left the storeroom and returned to the bar, his body still pulsing to the rhythm of their lovemaking. He thought that they’d been good together, that he’d given her as much pleasure as she’d given him.

Then why the hell had she been so determined to leave? “Damn.”

He glanced around the saloon, searching for Angus. He hadn’t seen his older brother since they entered the building together. Maybe he could make sense of women. Brody sure as hell couldn’t.

Colin stood by a table in the far corner talking to Connor Mason and Ed Judson. He smiled and laughed, all the while his gaze kept slipping to the bar where Fancy Wilson sat nursing a longneck.

Brody still cared for Fancy, but not like a fiancée. More like a good friend. He should have seen back when they were dating that they were more friends than lovers and a marriage between them wouldn’t last. They both deserved to find deep and lasting love with someone who rocked their worlds.

“You look like someone just ran over your favorite dog.” Angus’s hand descended on Brody’s shoulder. “Let me buy you a beer.”

“I don’t need one. I’m leaving soon.” He glanced toward the hallway where the bathrooms were located. He’d seen Jessie headed that way. As soon as she came out, he’d take her back to the ranch and get things out in the open. Not that he had a clue what those things were.

“Jessie leave?” Angus asked.

“Not yet.”

“I’m missing Gwen tonight. I’ll be glad when we’re married and living under the same roof.” Angus sat on a barstool and ordered a beer, then turned to Brody. “So, what’s going on between you and Jessie?”

Brody ran a hand through his hair and stared at the hallway to the bathrooms, wondering how long it took to use the facilities. “I don’t know.”

“I could swear there was some chemistry going on when you were dancing with her.”

“I thought so too.” And then they’d made love and the woman had run like a skittish doe.

“Do you think there’s a chance you might be falling for her?” Angus tipped his bottle, appearing casual, like Brody’s answer didn’t mean a thing.

Brody knew better. He faced Angus. “Mom’s threat aside, I don’t know what I’m feeling for Jessie. All I know is she’s got me all knotted up inside.”

Libby, the bartender, popped the top off a longneck and set it in front of him.

Angus raised his own bottle toward Brody. “Here’s to finding the girl you love.”

Frowning down at the bottle, Brody said, “I don’t want to get involved, because I don’t plan on staying any longer than necessary.”

“Do you really have to go back to Seattle?”

“It’s where I belong.”

“Are you sure?” Angus asked. “Do you have a house, some friends and a woman waiting for you?”

Brody lived in a sparsely furnished apartment. His art supplies and his clothes were the most personal things he owned. He had a few friends. Okay, so he had one. The art dealer who’d seen something in his work and encouraged him to display it in the galleries in Seattle, Vancouver, San Francisco and all along the West Coast. But she was fifty something and happily single. So, did he have someone waiting for him in Seattle?

“No, I don’t own a house or have anyone waiting for me in Seattle.”

“Then why don’t you stay?” Angus stared at him for a moment. “Or are you still feuding with Colin?”

Brody glanced toward Colin. All the anger he still harbored when he returned to the Rafter M had disappeared. Granted, his relationship with Colin would never be as close as it had been when they were kids, but he didn’t hate him.

If he was honest with himself, Brody was happy to see both of his brothers, and being around them reminded him he still had family and they would always be there for him.

“No. I’m not feuding with Colin.”

“You might want to let Colin know. For the past eight years, he’s been beating himself up for whatever happened between the two of you.”

“I was a fool,” Brody said. “Fancy was never right for me. We were better friends than we would have been husband and wife.”

“I think she was on the verge of telling you when she ran into Colin that night.”

Brody nodded. “I knew it wasn’t right. But I was young and stupid, and I didn’t want to admit I was wrong. I waited too long.”

And now he was waiting too long to make things right with Jessie. But what was he feeling? Was it love or just lust? He faced Angus. “How do you know you’re in love?”

Angus shrugged. “That’s easy. When every minute you’re away from her, you think about her.”

The entire week he avoided Jessie, she’d been in every one of his thoughts. “And how else?” he prompted.

Angus stared at the wall in front of him. “When you make love, you can’t imagine making love with anyone else. Ever again.”

Making love to Jessie in the swimming hole and the storeroom had changed him forever. She responded to his touch with such passion and his body came alive in her.

“Holy shit.”

“What?”

“I think I’m falling for Jessie.” He shook his head. “How can it be? I’ve only known her for a couple weeks.”

“Some say you know as soon as you meet the one.”

Brody snorted, but didn’t refute his brother’s words. Hadn’t he known Jessie was different from the first time he saw her flipping burgers, a fine sheen of perspiration glowing on her face as she smiled and served him?

“All I know is that talking about making love has gotten me so hard I can’t stand it.” Angus set his half-finished beer on the bar. “I have to see Gwen. Do you mind taking care of the animals in the morning?”

“No problem. Why?”

“I think I need to make a trip to Dallas tonight.”

“It’s pretty late,” Brody noted.

Audrey walked by with Mark Gray Wolf, her head leaning toward him, her gaze intense as she spoke to her tall Kiowa brother-in-law.

“Audrey.” Brody stepped in front of her.

She turned to Mark and nodded. “I’ll see you later.”

“Brody.” Mark held out his hand. “Good to see you.”

“Mark.” Brody shook hands with the man, but his focus was on Audrey.

“I’d stay and buy you a beer, but Audrey’s got me running errands. Later, man.” Mark disappeared down the hallway leading toward the storeroom.

Audrey faced Brody. “What can I help you with?”

“Could you check in the ladies’ bathroom for Jessie? She’s been in there a long time.”

Audrey’s head tilted. “I’m sorry, but Jessie left.”

“What?” Brody stepped back. “When? Where?”

“She went out the back door two or three minutes ago.”

Brody spun and ran toward the back of the building.

Greta Sue appeared at the entrance to the hallway leading to the rear exit. “Sorry, employees only.”

“Greta Sue, you have to let me through. I have to catch Jessie before it’s too late.”

The big woman crossed her arms. “Do you work here?”

“No.”

“Then you’re not going back there.”

Brody could see he wasn’t getting anywhere with the bouncer. He spun and weaved his way through the tables to the front exit and burst out into the parking lot.

A truck turned onto the highway, its taillights glowing a bright red as it sped away.

“Jessie!” Brody ran to catch up. By the time he reached the highway, the truck was already a quarter of a mile down the road.

His chest squeezing so tightly he couldn’t breathe, Brody returned to the saloon where Colin and Angus stood by the bar.

“Where’s Jessie?” Colin asked.

His chest hollow, he answered, “She’s gone.”

Colin’s brows angled downward. “What do you mean gone? Did she find another ride home?”

He pressed a hand to his sore chest. “She’s not coming home.”

“Damn, Brody. Did you scare off our cook?” Colin demanded.

He nodded, his heart sore, his head reeling. “I did. But I want her back.”

“If you’re going to be a jerk, don’t go after her,” Colin said. “She’s a nice kid.”

“I know.”

“You don’t deserve her,” Colin continued.

“I know,” Brody repeated, dazed.

“She needs someone who’ll stick around,” Angus said. “She doesn’t have anyone.”

“And all she wanted was a place to call home,” Brody whispered.

“So don’t go after her if you’re headed back to Seattle anyway,” Angus said.

“I’m not going back to Seattle.” Brody turned and walked toward the exit. “I can’t let her go.”

Colin caught up with him and grabbed his arm. “I won’t let you hurt her anymore.”

“What do you mean, anymore?”

“Whatever you did to her has her upset. Jessie’s too nice for her own good. Someone needs to take care of her and keep people from hurting her.”

“And you think I want to hurt her?”

“Well, from the look on her face most of the night, you already did.”

“Damn.” Brody stared at his brother. “Look, Colin, I’m sorry for being an ass for eight years.”

“I don’t give a shit about me. Don’t fuck up Jessie’s life.”

Brody frowned. “Do you love her?”

“Don’t be an ass.”

Brody stiffened.

“She’s a nice person and she’s been through a lot.” Colin touched his arm. “Jessie is like the kid sister I never had. And I protect family. So if you plan on hurting her, get ready for an ass whoopin’.”

Brody grinned. “And I’ll deserve one if I screw this up.” He hugged his brother. “I’m going to make this right.” He turned to Angus. “I’ll need your help.”

“I got your back, brother.” Angus clapped a hand to that back. “What have you got in mind?”

“Something special. I need to find out where she went and keep her there until I get my plans in place.”

Audrey Anderson Gray Wolf leaned over Brody’s shoulder and said, “She’s staying at my place. I’ll keep her there.” She patted her big belly. “Jessie can’t leave if she thinks she’s needed. And, boy, do I need her.”

Brody hugged Audrey. “Thanks.”

Audrey grinned. “And don’t worry. Jackson and I will keep an eye on her.”

“Good. I have work to do. My plan will take a week.”

“Don’t take too long. You don’t want her to up and leave again,” Audrey reminded him.

“I won’t. I have too much riding on this.” Brody hugged Angus and Colin. “I have to go. I have a lot of work to do before I see Jessie again.”

The first day on the Gray Wolf Ranch, Jessie cleaned Audrey’s house from top to bottom, cooked one of Mrs. McFarlan’s best recipes and helped Audrey get into her boots.

Luke and Mark took a horse trailer to the Rafter M Ranch and collected Scout, who was now munching happily in one of the Gray Wolf pastures.

Soon Jessie had the house in tip-top shape and drove Audrey to the saloon and back each day to keep her from getting behind. She helped out in the barn, keeping close to the house in case Audrey needed her. Jessie owed Audrey so much for taking her in when she didn’t have a place to go.

A week passed and Brody didn’t call or stop by. Not that Jessie had expected him. He probably gave up on her after she ran out on him. And hadn’t he said he was going back to Seattle as soon as possible?

When Jessie entered the Ugly Stick Saloon, she looked for him, hoping to catch a glimpse of the tall, handsome cowboy. She’d seen Colin and Angus, but stayed away, afraid if she talked to them, she’d start crying all over again.

On an errand in Temptation, Jessie spotted Brody’s pickup at the diner. On her way back from the grocery store in Audrey’s SUV, she’d pulled into the hardware store’s parking space and waited, hoping Brody would emerge before she had to leave.

When he did, Jessie’s heart sank to her knees.

Brody held the door open for a smiling, laughing woman. Fancy Wilson.

Jessie pulled out of the parking space and sped back to the Gray Wolfs’ ranch and did her best to avoid Temptation for the rest of the week.

Audrey came to her Saturday morning with a request. “A friend of mine has some artwork in a gallery in Dallas. Do you mind driving me there and back?”

Jessie frowned. “I’m not much good driving in heavy traffic.”

“It’s Saturday. At the very least it won’t be rush-hour traffic. Please? Jackson doesn’t want me behind the wheel and I promised my friend I’d go and show my support. Jackson was going to take me, but one of the bulls broke through a fence and is raising hell on the neighbor’s ranch. He’s not going to make it.”

“You know I don’t mind. You’ve done so much for me.” Jessie hugged the woman. “When do we leave?”

“This afternoon at four. The showing starts at six.” Audrey grinned, and shivered with excitement. “I can’t wait. I haven’t seen his work yet, but I hear he’s really very good.”

Jessie forced a smile, not feeling at all excited about driving all the way to Dallas and back that evening. What she wanted to do was crawl into her bed and hide until her heart stopped hurting. But she couldn’t wallow in self-pity. Life went on.

Time would help heal her heart and the sooner Brody left for Seattle, the sooner she would quit looking for him everywhere she went.

That afternoon, Jessie stood in the bedroom, her hair hanging wet down her back, fresh from a shower, wearing shorts and an oversized blue-chambray shirt. She held up the two dresses Mrs. McFarlan insisted she buy at the thrift store, wondering what someone wore to an art gallery showing.

The first dress she hung back in the closet, her hand stroking the fabric, bringing back memories of her and Brody making love in the storeroom of the Ugly Stick.

A lump formed in her throat and Jessie had to bite down on her bottom lip to keep it from trembling.

Not one call. Nothing. It was as if Brody had already left for Seattle.

“I was thinking this would look nice on you.” Audrey appeared in the doorway of the bedroom. “Lord knows I can’t fit into it.” She laughed and rubbed her big belly. “Whoa! Settle down there, Junior!” Audrey wore a black dress in flowing chiffon that fell down to just above her knees, with an empire waistline that draped over her baby bump. She held out a little black dress.

Jessie took the dress. “I can’t wear anything you used to wear. You’re much smaller than I ever dreamed of being.”

“Not now, I’m not. That dress was a little big on me and should just fit your slim figure. Go on, try it on. You’ll want to look your best. There are supposed to be a lot of wealthy people coming to the event.”