Leather and Lace (Tempered Steel Book 2) (3 page)

Chapter Two

When Angel entered Chance Coalson’s hospital room, he was sitting up in bed, with one young nurse standing beside him fluffing pillows, another leaning over him to adjust the lighting – her rather prominent bosom practically pressed to his face – and an aide, who couldn’t have been more than eighteen, displaying a stack of magazines like Vanna White displayed letters on Wheel of Fortune. Angel rolled her eyes then cleared her throat loudly. The women jumped and whirled around, visibly relaxing as they realized it was not their supervisor standing in the doorway.

Chance leaned back against the pillows and propped his hands behind his dark head. He grinned cheekily at Angel, and then thanked the nurses for all their help and attention. By the time he was through, Angel felt a cavity coming on from all the sweet-talking she had witnessed.

“You’re incorrigible, do you know that? There are truly sick people in this hospital and you’re taking away valuable help because you want your pillows fluffed. I’m surprised you didn’t ask them to peel some grapes for you, too,” she said in mock severity as she pointed to an enormous fruit basket someone had sent over.

“I don’t like grapes and never underestimate the fine art of pillow fluffing. Heather was a professional.” He grinned at Angel’s frown. “I don’t suppose I should tell you that they offered to come back for my sponge bath. I might take ‘em up on that,” he said with a twinkle in his deep blue eyes.

Angel laughed at his silliness. She’d had a long phone conversation with Ginny this morning and knew exactly how close Chance had come to dying in that blaze.

“Well, I’m glad to see you’re back to your old horny self.” Angel gave his hand a little pat. “I’d hate to see my favorite Coalson brother out of commission. The single ladies of Jersey County would be in mourning.”

“I know I’m not your favorite, darlin’, but I’ll take second place in this instance.”

God, why couldn’t she have fallen in love with this brother?
“How are you really?” she asked. “Are you up for visitors?”  At his nod, she sat down in a nearby recliner taking his hand.

“I feel fine. I’m only supposed to have family, but if the nurses complain, I’ll tell them you’re my angel of mercy.” Angel’s eyes filled with tears. Chance groaned. “What did I say? What the hell did Sam do now?”

Angel looked down at their joined hands and tried to control her tears. Chance’s reference to an angel of mercy had flicked over her raw nerves like a whip. She didn’t want to burden Chance with her worries about Sam. He had enough on his plate.

Chance squeezed her hand and she glanced up. “I’ll kick his ass, Angel. Brother or no brother.”

Angel wished she hadn’t come. This wasn’t right. But true to form, when she was hurting, she ran to her friends. Chance had been there when Sam left her. He had held her as she cried and helped her get back on her feet. He had championed her to his parents and helped her explain her actions that awful day. He was like the big brother she never had.

“I’m sorry. It’s been a wild day. I’m so happy you’re going to be okay.” She wiped her tears and straightened her spine. She wasn’t the scared girl she had been back then. “So what’s this I hear about you trying to seduce a firefighter? I’m not positive, but sexually harassing someone who is trying to save your life may be against the law. At the very least, it’s incredibly tacky.”

“What can I say? She threw me down on the ground and tried to have her way with me.”

Angel laughed. “She did no such thing. The way I heard it, she was doing her job. The poor woman was trying to save you by giving you mouth to mouth and you turned it into a…a…a..” She frowned when Chance burst into laughter. “Well, I don’t know what to call it. I do know that if somebody dies because she refuses to give them resuscitation, it will be your fault. You probably scared her half to death.”

Chance’s eyes turned down and he plucked at the bed sheet. “No, she scared me, Angel.” He looked up and she could see the seriousness of his gaze. “I thought I was going to die in there. The next thing I know, something warm and soft is pressing against me. Sweet lips are clinging to mine, and when I opened my eyes, I saw this glorious mane of golden hair fanning out all around her. I swear I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I knew she was an angel.” He ticked up his sexy grin. “But I returned to earth in a flash when she slapped me. That hurt.” He rubbed his cheek, but Angel could see the sadness in his eyes.

“Well it serves you right,” she said softly. “Georgia Haines is a very nice woman. She runs ‘Miss Peaches Daycare Center’ out on Croixford Road. She also coaches the peewee girls’ soccer team in addition to being a volunteer firefighter.”

“I know all that. What I don’t know is why she won’t give me the time of day. We’ve been neighbors for years. I’ve tried every trick in my book, but she refuses to go out with me. This little accident was the closest I’ve come to getting to know her.”

“Are you telling me you’ve been asking her out and she refused?” Angel had never heard of such a thing happening. Chance just had to smile and crook his finger and the girls came running. That one would refuse him was incomprehensible.

Chance nodded. “Do you know if there’s a man in her life?”

“Do you think she has time for one?” Angel had met Georgia at the local civic women’s club meeting. She was a whirlwind, achieving whatever she set her mind to. Grafton needed volunteer firefighters, Georgia became one. She found the community in need of a daycare. She opened one up in her home. “Men aren’t the sum total of a woman’s universe, you know.”

“Are you telling me she likes girls? I’m okay with that, as long as I can participate.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

Angel slapped the hand she held. “I’m saying nothing of the sort. Now behave yourself or I’m going to find Nurse Wendell and tell her you need an enema.”

Chance sobered quickly. “That’s not funny, Angel.”

“Yes, well Georgia deserves your gratitude and respect. And truth to tell, I haven’t seen her with anyone on a social basis. I don’t think she dates.” Angel peered at him. “What are you thinking, Chance? I can tell when you’re up to something.”

“I need to find a way to thank her for saving my life.” He smiled his innocent smile.

She wasn’t fooled for a minute. “Send her some flowers.”

“Why don’t I deliver them in person? I figure it might be a nice touch to add to my proposal.”

Angel rolled her eyes. “Okay, I’ll bite. What proposal?”

“Didn’t I mention it? Georgia Haines is the woman I’m going to marry,” Chance said with seeming nonchalance.

Angel’s wide eyes and open mouth said it all. “Did you hit your head in that fire? You don’t even really know the woman. What makes you think she’ll marry you? Like it or not, you’re considered the Casanova of the County. I don’t think a shy woman like Georgia is gonna think you’re certified husband material.”

Chance looked slightly affronted. “Who’s better husband material than me? I’ve sampled enough of what’s out there to know that when I settle down, it’s with the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.”

“I believe it’s the ‘sampling’ she might object to,” Angel retorted. “Plus, there’s no guarantee that a wedding ring is forever. Word has it that Georgia’s father left her mother after she became pregnant with her. Apparently, he too, had been ‘sampling’ while her poor mother was growing big with her.” She squeezed his hand. “I think she’s carrying around too much personal baggage to ever let a man get close enough to hurt her.”

“I’d never hurt her, Angel. You know that.”

“I know, honey, but I think you better set your sites on someone else.”

Chance flushed and looked down at the blankets once again as he mumbled. “That’s just it, babe. I can’t. She’s the one. I know it in my heart. Just like you knew Sam was the one.” He lifted his eyes to her. “I haven’t told anyone else, but I knew you’d understand what I’m talking about.”

Sadly, Angel did know. But sometimes love wasn’t enough. “Yeah, but look what a mess my love life’s become,” she replied, staring at her toes.

Chance gave her hand a hard shake. “Hey, babe. It’s not the end of the world. I know my brother’s a stubborn ass, but you love him. Don’t give up now. He’s right within your grasp. He’s just playing hard to get.”

Angel smiled ruefully. “That’s the understatement of the year. I honestly don’t think he can stand the sight of me.”
Although he had followed me out to the parking lot, the night of Mac and Dixie’s wedding and kissed me senseless. Then again, he looked pissed that he had.

“Oh, Chance, what am I going to do? What would a woman have to do to draw your attention?”

“Well, until Georgia came into my life, all a woman had to do was breathe, darlin’, but I guess with Sam, it’s different. He’s always been a deep one, you know. Never quite know what’s going through his mind.”

“Well, Georgia’s easy to read. She’s scared of commitment, or rather, lack of commitment. The girl’s got trust issues when it comes to men. And given your past, the decks stacked against you,” Angel replied.

Chance was silent for a few minutes as he digested that information. He suddenly brightened. “You’ve tried storming the fortress, for lack of a better word, but why not try a little subtle persuasion? You know, like water washing over a rock smoothed the stone.”

Angel leaned forward eagerly. “What do you suggest?”

“Well, for starters, try showing up unexpectedly wherever he is. The family and I could keep you posted on that. You know we believe the two of you should be together. We know why you did what you did, but he won’t even talk about it with us. He scowls and leaves the room when your name is mentioned.”

Angel huffed. “I know. I’ve tried to explain several times, and he either says something snarky and mean or just stares at me like I’m road kill.”

“Well, forget about explaining. You can do that later. Right now you’ve got to make him sweat. Since I’ve got nothing to do but lie around for a week after my release, according to the doctors, I’m sure I could come up with a few devious and dirty ideas to make my brother shake with desire for you.”

Angel wasn’t so sure Sam would ever trust her again, but she knew he at least desired her. His words earlier were plain enough on that subject. “He wants to bed me, Chance. He just doesn’t want to love me. But, okay, I’ll try it your way.” Angel felt better. “And while you’re doing that, I’ll put a few bugs in Georgia’s ears about how wonderful and charming and trustworthy you are. You’re idea about Sam may work with Georgia as well. Formulate a plan to show her how sweet and wonderful you are to have around.”

“I’m a man, not a friggin’ St. Bernard.”

“Yes, but to a woman like Georgia, those qualities are more important than … well, you, know.”

Chance grinned. “Well, we’ll see about that. In the meantime, we’ve got two people that apparently don’t know how lucky they are to have us. Can we prove to them the error of their ways?”

Chance’s enthusiasm was catchy. “I believe with a little effort, anything is possible.”

“You do know what this means, don’t you? He asked slyly as he poured a glass of water and handed it to her before pouring one for himself.

She raised her glass for a toast as Chance did the same. “Yes. We go to war,” she replied smugly. “They’ll never know what hit them.”

Chapter Three

Sam walked into his mother’s kitchen three weeks later, eager for a cup of coffee and some motherly advice. Angel was wearing on his nerves and he was ready to explode. It showed how desperate he was that he would actually try to talk about this with his mom.

He heard her voice in the dining room. Apparently someone was with her. He frowned. Well at least he could get a decent cup of coffee. His attempts were disgusting, full of grounds. He needed to get one of the single cup makers. He wasn’t sleeping. More caffeine certainly wasn’t going to help. He was disgusted with himself and the world in general. It was all Angel Devereaux’s fault. Damn woman.

Everywhere he went, she was there. The post office, the grocery store, the gas station. Hell, she had even invaded Montana Max’s Saloon, ostensibly on an errand for the women’s softball league, which Georgia Haines captained and old man Montana sponsored. Since Georgia was currently laid up with a sprained ankle, Angel had taken over her errands. Chance had been putting the full court press on Georgia since the night of the fire, so Sam knew who to beat for Angel stepping up and taking over.

If he was a betting man, he’d bet a million dollars that she was doing it on purpose. His father told him he was crazy. He pointed out that she lived in the same town. They were bound to run into each other. Problem was, it was more than just occasionally. It was almost like she knew exactly where he was. The incidents were too frequent to be just coincidence, even though it was always a public place.

It was more than that, though. She was always pleasant. She went out of her way to say hello, although to be truthful, she said hello to everyone she knew. Every time she looked at him, he felt she was staring into his soul. When he met her gaze directly, he thought he would drown in the sensual pool of longing in her dark brown eyes. Her blush told him how much she enjoyed his stare.

What really galled him was that he couldn’t control his answering desire. He knew his eyes lit up like a friggin’ Christmas tree whenever they would meet. He wanted her badly. She knew it. She was using it to get to him. She was trying to drive him crazy with lust. Dammit, it was working. Sam cursed silently and adjusted himself. He got hard every time he even thought about her.

“Hello, Sam. Can I fix you some breakfast?” His mother came into the kitchen, looking at him expectantly. Behind her, his sister-in-law, Dixie and Dottie, Mac’s indispensable secretary, smiled in welcome. He started to smile a greeting to the women, when his eye was caught by a movement in the dining room. He knew without even seeing her. Angel Devereaux was here. Dammit! He wasn’t safe anywhere.

He frowned at his mother. “No thanks, Mom. I don’t have much of an appetite.” He grabbed his coffee cup and started to walk away.

“Sam, we’d like your opinion on a few suggestions we have come up with for the grand opening of the marina next spring. Do you have a minute?” Dixie asked.

If it had been anyone but Dixie, he would have refused. But Mac’s tiny wife held a tender spot in his heart. She loved his brother without reservations, and Sam knew she would always stand by Mac no matter how rough life got.

Unlike some people he knew.

“Sure.” He sat down at the scarred kitchen table, purposely putting his back to the dining room, and sending a silent prayer that Angel would stay in there.

“Angel, dear, since these are mostly your suggestions, would you please come in here?” Dottie smiled benignly and seated herself next to Sam, patting his hand, seemingly oblivious to the fact that Sam stiffened and cast his mother a dark look when Angel walked through the doorway.

Ginny Coalson sat in her usual chair with Dixie opposite her. That left the two remaining chairs directly across from Sam empty. Damn, if he didn’t know better, he’d swear these ladies did it on purpose. Now, no matter what, he was going to have to face Angel and try to conduct a civilized conversation. He cursed silently as Angel slid into the chair directly opposite him.

Angel bit her lip to keep from smiling at Sam’s discomfiture and felt her spirits lift as she began outlining the ideas. “Well, I thought the best way to welcome in the summer and the new marina would be to have a spring fashion show featuring the hottest styles for both men and women. We could get the media behind us and turn it into a real event. The patio and walkway of the marina would be a perfect place for the show itself, and the restaurants and shops that have leased space in the adjacent antique mall could set up stands along the marina docks. The fashion show would be free, but donations would be accepted on behalf of the flood relief center. What do you think? Will the town council agree?”

Sam watched her face begin to glow as she got into the concept. He remembered how she would become so enthusiastic over the simplest things, going on and on until he would kiss her to get her to shut up. She always tasted so good; he would continue to kiss her until neither one of them could remember what they had been talking about.

That was exactly what he wanted to do to her now. Only he wouldn’t stop as he had back then. He would take everything she offered, touching her, loving her, until her entire body glowed with anticipation. Then he would ease himself into her warmth and bring her to new heights of enthusiasm and satisfaction.

Angel slowly raised her eyes to Sam to gauge his reaction to her idea. She sucked in her breath at the heat emanating from his dark eyes. She blushed then lowered her gaze. She was sure of what she read in his smoldering gaze, positive of the sensual energy she found there. He still wanted her. It was a small victory, but at least she now knew he wasn’t totally oblivious to her. She smiled softly. She couldn’t help herself.

“Sam, dear, stop staring at Angel and tell us what you think,” Ginny scolded him with a light slap on his wrist.

Sam looked around at the hopeful faces of the women. He saw Angel’s smile, and he knew, without a doubt, that this little meeting had not been planned to christen the new marina. It was for the sole purpose of making him notice Angel again. He could only guess at the look of lust on his face as she sat there talking and he had fantasized about her. Now everyone knew he still wanted her. Embarrassment quickly turned his lust to anger.

With deceptive mildness, he said, “Do you really want to know what I think?”

“Of course. That’s why we asked.” Dixie rolled her eyes.

Sam stood up and rinsed out his coffee cup, then leaned against the counter. He looked at all the women seated there, letting his anger finally show. Their hopeful faces fell as his words slashed like a whip in the silent room. “I think I don’t want any part of this.”

His gaze pinned Angel. He slowly looked her up and down, leaving everyone in the room with no doubt as to what he was referring.

“Do you understand?” he sneered. “I don’t want any of it.” He walked out and let the screen door slam.

“Samuel Coalson, get back here!” Ginny ran to the door.

Angel wondered if she could ask Ginny for a paper bag. She was sure she was hyperventilating. It was one thing to catch Sam’s eye in a public place, but this, this was too intimate a setting. He seemed to dominate the room with his anger. Or maybe it was shrinking in size due to the fact that she felt faint.

Chance was wrong. This definitely wasn’t the way to get Sam back.

“Please, Mrs. Coalson. I think it would be best if I leave,” Tearfully, she gathered her notebook and purse. The tears fell but she didn’t wipe them away. Sam’s outburst had left her heart raw and bleeding. She wanted nothing more than to go home and lick her wounds. “Thank you for trying, but this was wrong. I should never have involved the family. I’m sorry.”

Angel started for the door, but Ginny stopped her with an arm around her shoulder. “No, dear. I’m the one who’s sorry. Sam was always a bit stubborn. But as soon as I get him alone…,” she threatened.

“I would appreciate it if you would act like this didn’t happen. We should never have backed him into a corner. I think we should all try to forget it.”

“You’re not giving up, are you?” Dixie asked in concern as she came around the table to hug her. “He still cares for you. His reaction wouldn’t be nearly so violent if he was indifferent to you.”

“Well, I’m not sure ‘care’ is the right word here. More likely, he wants to kill me.” Angel’s attempt at humor failed miserably. She took a deep breath. “But, I’m not giving up. I can’t. He holds my heart and I can’t find happiness without that, can I?” she tried to smile through her tears.

Dixie gathered Angel close. Ginny looked on helplessly, but Dottie suddenly brightened. “You know, that boy knows all he has to do is crook his finger, and you’ll fall all over yourself to please him. Maybe what he needs is to find out how attractive you are to other men. Yes sir, he acts like he wants nothing to do with you now, but another man comes around, and I’d lay a dollar to a donut, he snatches you up quick as you please, and tells you his true feelings. I can almost guarantee it.”

“What about Chance? He’d be happy to play Casanova for you. Nothing guarantees a quick turnaround than a man’s brother who wants a man’s girl,” Dixie surmised.

Angel stared at Dixie in horror. Sometimes her mind was downright scary. “No! No! No! Not Chance! That would definitely send Sam away to never come back.”

Dixie huffed. “Well, is there anyone else around here that isn’t afraid of Sam’s temper?”

“I don’t know,” Angel began, but Dottie interrupted her. “Just leave everything to me. Frankie tells me there’s some lingerie supplier that’s been after you for months to have dinner with him.”

“Bob? He’s just a friend.” Angel frowned.

“Next time he asks, say yes. I’ll take care of the rest.” Dottie winked at her.

“I appreciate the offer, but Sam’s already mad about this little scene. I don’t think we should push him.”

“Push him?! Honey, we’re gonna knock him on his stubborn butt. Maybe then he will wake up and realize what he’s been missing all these years,” Dottie said as she hugged Angel.

“He’s too old to whip his ass, but a mother has ways of dealing with obstinate sons.” Ginny grinned.

She looked at the ladies gathered around her. They were nodding enthusiastically, and Dottie was rubbing her hands in devilish glee. How could she turn down such an offer? She stiffened her spine and nodded.

“All right. I’ll do it.”

Two days later, Bob Macintyre flew in from Chicago and once again asked Angel to have dinner. She agreed, and if he was nonplussed, well, he put up a good front for her. “Strictly business, Bob.”

He smiled and held out his hand. “Strictly business. Talking lingerie with a beautiful woman is definitely better than watching reruns on a motel TV with a bag of fast food for company.” They shook hands and he left with a spring in his step. Angel immediately felt guilty.

Angel called Dottie as soon as Bob left. “Excellent. I know that Mac has wanted to schedule something with the other men to discuss the fire situation. I’ll schedule dinner at the Brockton Mansion. If he asks why so fancy, I’ll tell him everything was booked. What time is Bob picking you up?”

“Around seven this evening.”

“Good. I’ll set their reservations for six forty-five. That way, he’ll be sure to be there.”

“I don’t know. This seems so sneaky and manipulative. Maybe I should just lock myself in a room with him for a couple of days. He’d have to talk to me, wouldn’t he?”

“If it was anyone but Sam, I’d say that was true. But that man is the most stubborn, hard-headed, narrow- minded…”

“Hey, you’re talking about the man I love, remember?” Angel teased.

“Speaking of which, he just walked in the door, so I’ll let you go. Good luck, honey.”

*****

Angel debated the wisdom of their plan the entire afternoon. At the very least, she felt she should tell Bob.

“Why?” Frankie asked as she pulled boxes from the storage room in the basement. “He’s here on business; your business. He agreed to it. Besides, if you tell, he might act weird. You want this to look natural.”

She hauled out the last of the boxes. “Well, lookee here. Did you know there’s a door behind all these boxes?” Frankie reached for the knob as she indicated the door in front of her. “Wonder where it goes to in the basement?” She threw Angel an evil grin. “Maybe Grandma Bea was into bootlegging and this is the secret room where she kept the hooch!”

Angel laughed. “Don’t be absurd. Grandma Bea never took a drink in her life. It leads out to the cellar. I never use it except to store outdoor stuff. I use the outside cellar entrance for that. I’d forgotten it was there.”

Frankie shook her head at Angel’s lack of imagination, and together they hauled the last of the boxes out of the storage basement and into the kitchen, the door forgotten.

At five minutes to seven that evening, Angel was a nervous wreck. She eyed herself critically in the mirror. It had been a mistake to call Dixie over to help her pick something out. The simple navy sheath skimmed her body with a subtle emphasis on her breasts due to the notched neckline. Her blonde hair was flowing down her back in soft waves. Her eyes looked dark and mysterious thanks to Dixie’s cosmetic bag.

She wriggled again, uncertain if this dress was exactly proper attire for a business dinner. The last thing she wanted was to send the wrong signal to the wrong man. She sighed. This was getting so complicated. Maybe she should call the whole thing off. But if Sam saw her with Bob and grew jealous …