Nearest Thing to Heaven (Maverick Junction) (3 page)

Annelise made a
tsk
ing sound.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Sophie asked.

“Nothing.”

“Bull! I thought you wanted to set me up with Brawley.”

Annelise cocked her head. “I was wrong. I think you’re more Ty’s type.”

“Cuz, Ty’s posted a no trespassing sign. My guess is he’s still in love with his dead wife.”

“There is that possibility.”

“Yes, there is.” Sophie swung open the door and marched out, straight into Ty Rawlins.

He put his hands on her arms to steady her.

“Sorry,” she mumbled.

“Don’t be. My fault. I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

“Ask the girl to dance, Ty.” Annelise stood behind them in the narrow hallway.

“I—” He raised his hands.

“That’s okay.” Sophie moved to skirt around him.

“No.” He reached out, caught her hand. The jolt was instantaneous, and she knew he felt it, too, when he momentarily broke contact.

“It’s all right. I don’t need to be entertained.” She heard the snap of temper in her voice but couldn’t control it.

“Understood.” Ty nodded toward the jukebox. “But here’s the thing. Cash fed the machine enough coins to fill a good-size swimming pool. All those quarters. All that music. Why waste it?”

He looked at Annelise. “Matt and Babs said to tell you good night, Annie. Since it’s a school night, they had to head out. Get the sitter home.”

“What about you?” The question popped out before Sophie could stop it. “Oh, jeez. Sorry again. That was rude…and it’s none of my business.”

“No, that’s okay. Haley, the wife of one of my hands, is manning the fort.” He flashed a quick grin. “She doesn’t have school tomorrow, so I can stay out as late as I want. Besides, aren’t you supposed to save at least one dance for the guy who brought you?”

He held out a hand; heat flooded her face.

No way to avoid it. If she refused, she’d come off as a prickly snob. He had to think the worst of her anyway. Whatever social graces her mother’d drummed into her seemed to have flown out the window.

She had no idea why he’d want to dance with an idiot, but who was she to deny him that dubious honor?

“In that case, I’d love to.” She smiled, took his hand, and they walked together to the small center square reserved for dancing. She refused to so much as look at her cousin. Refused, for that matter, to meet any of the eyes in the restaurant watching them speculatively.

A slow number came on and Ty turned her to him, put his other arm around her waist, and drew her in.

“‘The Keeper of the Stars,’” he said quietly. “Quite a song.”

Her heart hammered as Ty very skillfully swept her along to the music. It was different from any dance she’d ever experienced. Night and day from the one she’d shared with Brawley. He’d been fun. Ty? Intense was the only word she could come up with to define the aura surrounding him.

Totally unfamiliar with country songs, she listened to the words over the beating of her heart. “It was no accident me finding you…” Her temperature spiked ten degrees. He was right. The words were captivating. Intense, just like him. And, oh, so romantic.

His hand holding hers was callused and strong, the one at her waist firm. Hot.

Ty did not, in any way, make her think brotherly thoughts. Instead, heat pooled low. Yearnings stirred. Thoughts and desires she’d doubted she’d ever feel.

The man was dangerous. She’d do well to remember that. But for now, she’d simply enjoy the moment. The dance drifted into a second, then a third. Sophie vaguely registered others on the dance floor with them, smiled when Annelise and Cash brushed past.

Ty stood over a foot taller than her five-three, and her head rested on the strapping cowboy’s chest. She heard the steady beating of his heart and surprised herself by wishing the song could go on forever.

She was deathly afraid she wouldn’t say no if this man wanted to park his cowboy boots beneath her bed. For one night, of course.

“Sophie?” Ty’s voice whispered against her ear.

“Hmmm?”

“The music’s stopped.”

She opened her eyes, felt the blush heat her face. “Oh, brother.” Quickly, she jerked free. “And once again, I’m sorry. Maybe I should have it tattooed on my forehead.”

“Don’t be sorry.” He shook his head. “I’m not.”

His black cowboy hat shadowed his eyes. She wished she could see them, read the expression in them.

Silently, they walked back to the table. She was careful not to touch him, not to brush up against him.

He pulled out her chair, said, “Thank you.”

“You’re more than welcome.” She took her seat across from Brawley, who picked up his beer.

He held it high. “A toast to the future Mr. and Mrs. Cash Hardeman and to friends, both old and new.”

Everyone raised their drinks.

“May the most you ever wish for be the least you ever receive,” Brawley said.

A loud cheer went up from the group, and Cash leaned toward Annelise and kissed her, long and deep.

When he raised his head, he stared into his soon-to-be bride’s eyes. “I have everything I’ve ever needed, everything I’ll ever need, right here.”

Annelise blushed and everyone laughed as they scraped back their chairs and stood. Time to go home. Before Sophie had time to collect her things, Brawley’s phone rang.

He answered it, frowning. “Sure,” he said. “Give me ten.” Sliding the phone into his pocket, he said, “Ty? That was Doc. He’s got an emergency and needs some help.”

Ty nodded. “No problem. I’ll drop Sophie off at Dottie’s. It’s on my way home.”

A look passed between the two men. “Thanks, pal.” Brawley stood. “Gotta go, guys. It was a nice evening. See you all for a wedding, if not sooner.”

“I’m thinkin’ we might get together for a poker game tomorrow night,” Cash said.

“Sounds good. Let me know.” Brawley stopped beside Sophie. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. Hope you don’t mind if this ne’er-do-well takes you home.”

“I think we’ll manage.”

“That’s twice now I’ve stood you up.”

“And in one evening. You’re a scoundrel.” Sophie gave him a quick hug, picked up her purse, then turned to Ty. “You sure you don’t mind?”

“It’ll be my pleasure.”

Brawley gave a quick wave and headed out the door.

“Give me a second,” Sophie said to Ty. She made her way to Annelise. “What are the plans for tomorrow?”

“I’ll pick you up at ten o’clock sharp. We’ll grab breakfast at Sally’s Place, then drive over to Lone Tree for your fitting.” Annelise took her hand. “Wait till you see Maggie’s shop, Sophie. You’ll love it!”

“I’m looking forward to it.” She shot a look at Maggie. “And my maid of honor’s dress better not be matronly.”

Maggie, standing at the table’s end, laughed. “I don’t think you need to worry about that. Your cousin’s taste is too good, and my ego’s too big. You’ll look magnificent—and sexy as hell.”

“Great! See you tomorrow then.”

She joined Ty, and together they walked out, side by side. Sophie felt the sting of a dozen pair of eyes burning into her back as they passed curious townspeople at the tables.

Because she was the new girl in town or because she was with the widower?

Or maybe because they really were giving off sparks—despite his reluctance. If she touched him again, would Bubba’s go up in flames?

Her heart did a little happy dance in her chest.

Too beautiful. Too tall. Too broad-shouldered.

Too everything.

And, lest she forget, the daddy of triplets.

Her heart stopped dancing to collapse on the floor and cry as she mentally crossed the to-die-for cowboy off her list.

It had to be done.

And wasn’t that a shame?

The night had cooled off. As Sophie and Ty walked through the parking lot, she shivered.

He unlocked the big truck and reached into the back seat. “Here you go. This should keep you warm.”

“Thanks.” Slipping into the flannel jacket, she breathed deeply. His scent enveloped her. Warm and masculine. Sexy and hot.

It didn’t smell like a daddy’s jacket.

And exactly what in the world would a daddy’s jacket smell like? she asked herself.
Get a grip.

“Ty—”

“Sophie—”

They spoke at the same time. Both stopped and laughed.

He started up the truck and pulled out, the headlights cutting a swath through the darkness.

“I’m sorry Annelise forced you to dance with me, Ty. She’s got this crazy idea that, in order to be complete, I need a guy in my life.”

He cut her a look. “You don’t agree?”

“No!”

“Good for you. I figured it was
you
getting the nudge from her. That Annelise was trying to set
me
up, asking you to fall on the sword, as it were. I don’t know how much you know about me, but—” He wet his lips, raked fingers through his hair.

“It’s okay, Ty.” She laid a hand on his arm. “I know.”

His voice deepened, took on a gruff edge. “Okay.”

“Let’s just leave it at that.”

“Good enough.”

“Does Haley live on your ranch?”

“Yeah, she and Bob have a small place there. Works well for everybody.”

“Do you have a bunkhouse?”

“Yep. A small one.”

She grinned. “Hmmm. The whole Western thing.”

He laughed. “I don’t know about that, but before you ask, no, I don’t have a gunslinger on my payroll. The bunkhouse is necessary. Running a ranch is a big job, one I couldn’t do alone. It’s a whole lot easier if some of the hands live on the Burnt Fork. You really are a city slicker, aren’t you?”

“Undeniably and unapologetically, yes, I am. Burnt Fork. That’s the name of your ranch?”

He nodded and turned into Dottie’s drive. Getting out, he moved around the front of the truck to open her door. A born-and-bred gentleman, Sophie thought. She’d noticed lots of that tonight. Apparently, here in Texas, mothers still taught their boys good manners.

As she got out, she said, “Good night, Ty. Thanks for the ride.”

He took hold of her arm. “I’ll walk you to your door.”

“That’s not necessary.”

“Yes, ma’am, it is. My mama taught me to always walk my—ah, a woman to the door at night. To see her safely inside.”

“You said Maverick Junction was safe.”

“It is. It’s a handy ploy, though, for a fellow to get to spend a little more time with his girl.”

But I’m not your girl
, she thought. Nor would she ever be.

The moon shone in the big Texas sky as they walked along the drive, and their shadows merged, blending into one. From the darkness beyond, Sophie heard insects chirping and wondered what else was hiding out there in the night.

Paying attention to everything except where she was walking, she stumbled on a loose stone that had kicked into the drive. Ty reached out, put a hand on her arm, and her heart did a little backflip. At the base of the stairs, she turned to face him. “Thanks so much, Ty. For everything. I had fun tonight.”

“I’d feel better if you’d let me walk you up. See you safely inside.”

She shook her head. “You need to get home to your boys.”

He hesitated. “Guess you’re right. They’re asleep, but they’ll be up with the cows tomorrow.” After a heartbeat, he said, “You know, you remind me of Tinker Bell.”

Her brows furrowed. “Tinker Bell?”

“Peter Pan’s friend.”

“Yes, I know who she is.”

“You’ve kind of got that fanciful look about you. Like a fragile, blond fairy.”

“Fanciful?”

He blushed. “You know what I mean.”

She tipped her head. “Well, that’s, ah, the first time anyone’s said that to me. But it’s good, right?”

“Absolutely.”

A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “I love fairies, actually.” She wiggled her brows. “I keep them close.”

“You keep them— No, that’s okay.” He shook his head. “I don’t need to go there.”

She slid out of his jacket and handed it to him, suddenly awkward. How did you end a date that wasn’t a date? Glancing at him, at his face silvered by the moon, she realized he was probably stuck in the same quandary.

He reached for his jacket, and their fingers brushed. That same shock of electricity zinged through her.

Clearing her throat, she said, “Guess I’ll see you at the rehearsal dinner?” She laid a hand on the stair railing.

“If not before.”

As she raced up the steps, she was all too aware of him watching her. After she turned on the inside light, she moved to the window, careful to stay out of view.

He hadn’t moved a muscle. Still as a sentry, he stared up toward her window. Then, with a grace that would have surprised her before their dance, he walked back to his big black truck and drove away.

It would be a long time, she decided, before sleep would visit tonight. Ty Rawlins might be a good person to avoid while she did her time in Maverick Junction. For the next few days, she’d best stick to Brawley if she needed a partner.

Turning out the light, she curled up in Annelise’s cozy armchair and stared into the nighttime sky.

“Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight—”

T
y grabbed his sunglasses from the dash and slid them over sleep-deprived eyes. He’d tossed and turned half the night, and, as predicted, his boys—the ones he and Julia had created—had been up at the crack of dawn. Sophie’s scent lingered in the truck, filled his head, his mind. Julia had always smelled great, too. He tried desperately to bring back the smell of her. Instead, the flowery scent of Sophie pushed in, crowded out memory.

Shit!

He rolled down his windows and let the cool morning air rush into the cab, emptying it of Tinker Bell’s sweet, feminine smell.

Yeah, sometimes at night after the boys were tucked in bed sound asleep, he was lonely. Yeah, he missed a woman’s touch. Missed a woman to turn to in the middle of the night. But damn it, he and the boys were getting along fine.

Magic and fairy dust had no place in his life. He’d do well to remember that.

Pulling into Dottie’s drive, he took a minute to settle himself, then sprinted up the stairs.

He frowned as he rapped on Sophie’s kitchen door. How safe could it be to have this flimsy glass window in it? A simple matter to shatter the glass. Anybody could be inside in seconds.

If somebody wanted to break in. Certainly not out of the question, but highly unlikely here in Maverick Junction. He might mention it to Dottie. Ask if she’d consider replacing it with something a little sturdier.

“Come on in. The door’s unlocked. I’m almost ready.”

Guess the window didn’t matter since Sophie didn’t even bother to lock up—and then announced it. And hadn’t he been the one to tell her it was safe here? That locks weren’t necessary? Still—

He turned the knob and stuck his head inside. “Hey, Tink, it’s me. Annie asked me to drive you out to the ranch.”

“What?”

Sophie’s head popped around the bedroom door, big brown eyes framed by that white-blond hair. And bare shoulders. Lord help him, the woman wasn’t dressed. He swallowed. Hard.

A frown appeared between those intelligent eyes.

“Sorry. I couldn’t hear what you said. Why are you here?”

“A better question is why you didn’t ask who was at your door before inviting me in.”

Her shrug again drew his eyes to those silky shoulders. Those
bare
, silky shoulders.

“I figured it was Annelise.”

“But it wasn’t.”

“It could have been.”

Useless, he realized, and gave up.

“I had to come into town to drop the kids off at day care, so Annie asked me to pick you up and drop you off at the ranch on my way home. It’ll save her backtracking. She figured the two of you could go right from Cash’s place to Maggie’s in Lone Tree. So, looks like I’m your appointed driver this morning.”

“Oh, Ty, I’m sorry. This is twice now. Actually, three times. Annelise should have called. There’s no reason I can’t rent a car.”

“Nah. Doesn’t make any sense to do that.” He leaned against the door, felt the warmth of the sun coming in the window against his back. “I don’t mind. And I was already in town, so it’s no big. Honestly.”

She still looked skeptical. “I need a couple minutes.” Her head disappeared around the door frame.

“Pour yourself a cup of coffee,” she called from the bedroom. “It’s fresh. Only made it maybe ten minutes ago.”

“Don’t mind if I do.” Ty went to the cupboard and dug around till he found a cup, then poured himself some. He carried it to the table and sat in one of the chairs Annie’d refurbished.

He looked around the kitchen and living area, at the blue walls. Tiffany blue, Annie’d told him. He smiled. A woman and Tiffany’s. Fitting.

The change made him think of Roger Barry who had rented this apartment from Dottie for years. He’d brought the old guy home a couple times after he’d had a few too many at Bubba’s, and this place had been a disaster. Roger had moved out, and the place sat empty until Annie rode into Maverick Junction on that big Harley of hers.

And although she had enough money to buy the state of Texas and still have plenty left over, she’d repainted the walls herself, then furnished the place from the secondhand shop in town and a few yard sales.

The apartment wasn’t much, just one main room with a bedroom and bath off to the left. Annie’d divided the big room into kitchen, dining, and living areas. By the far window, he spotted the old brown sofa that had been in Cash’s grandfather’s living room. Boy, as kids, he, Cash, and Brawley had done some major arm-wrestling on that thing.

Studying the small space, he had to admit she’d done one heck of a job. With a little bit of money and a whole lot of elbow grease, style, and imagination, she’d completely transformed the apartment and made it her own.

Thing was, it fit Sophie, too. The bright colors, the sunlight. The feminine touches. Salvaged crystal mixed with whimsy.

For a split-second, he let himself wonder what Sophie’s place in Chicago looked like. Tried to picture her in the cold, windy city. Truth was, he couldn’t imagine her looking any more perfect than she did right here in the Texas sunshine.

The sun rose above the tree outside the living room and a rogue beam danced into the apartment, straight through the sun catchers that hadn’t been there yesterday. And damned if they weren’t fairies.

Right in the center? A stained-glass Tinker Bell.

“Do you think I’m dressed okay?”

Ty turned to look at Sophie, who stood in the doorway between the kitchen and bedroom. And she’d given him permission to stare.
Thank you, Jesus.

She wore coffee-colored pants with a long-sleeve blouse the color of Texas bluebonnets on a sunny day. It flowed around her like molten glass. Two crosses on silver chains along with a strand of multicolored crystals shimmered at her neck. A bold cuff bracelet encircled her tiny wrist; large silver hoops glinted at her ears. And, again, she wore a pair of killer heels that screamed,
Do me
.

Sweat popped out on his brow.

The woman smelled like a field of wildflowers. The same scent that had filled both his truck’s cab and his dreams last night. This morning.

Annie was going to have to get someone else to play chauffeur after this trip. He didn’t want the feelings Sophie stirred in him. Never again. He couldn’t do it again.

He took a sip of coffee to give himself another second. “You look fine. Maggie’s gonna love that top.”

“You think? I’m so excited. I’m dying to see her shop after everything Annelise has told me about it.”

“Maggie’s worked hard and done well. Annie wearing her dress to that big to-do in Dallas gave her a huge nudge. I worry she’s gonna leave us. Head to New York City. Be good for her, I guess, but we’d sure as hell miss her.”

Sophie nodded. “There are always two sides to the coin, aren’t there?”

“Yep.” He drank again. “So you girls are going off for the day. I never have understood that. I mean, how long can it take to try on a dress?”

“This isn’t just any dress.”

He rolled his eyes. “Right.”

“Oh, you’re such a man.”

“Guilty as charged. Seriously, though. Come on. Give. What’ll you do today? Really.”

“Ohhh. Are you asking me to divulge the secrets of the sisterhood?”

“Yeah, guess you could say that.”

“Hmmm.” She crossed the room toward him. “Do I have time for a cup of coffee before we go? If I’m going to be divulging deep, dark secrets, I need caffeine.”

He grinned. “You bet. I don’t think there’s any rush.” He held up his cup. “Good coffee, by the way.”

“Thanks. I brought the beans with me. I buy them at a little deli on the corner. I very rarely drink coffee, but when I do, it has to be the best. I’m spoiled, I guess.” She shrugged. “Today felt like a coffee day, and I thought Annelise might like some when she got here.”

At the counter, Sophie poured herself a cup, added cream, and walked back to the table. Sitting across from Ty, she thought again what an easy man he was to look at. What an easy man he was to talk to when he relaxed. When he put away the sadness she’d seen at the Fourth of July barbecue and last night when he’d thought no one was watching. When the couples in their group were holding each other close on the dance floor.

She decided to keep things light.

“Well, let’s see. What will we do first?” She tapped her chin with pastel pink nails. “Obviously, I’ll try on my maid-of-honor gown, but only after I ooh and ahh over Maggie’s shop and her creations. Which I’m sure I’ll do. We might shed a few tears. Try on a few things.”

At his grunt, she took a bracing sip of coffee and closed her eyes. She’d needed that.

“I saw plenty of tabloid pictures of Annelise and Cash at the Dallas fund-raiser. The dress Maggie designed for her was nothing short of spectacular.”

“Like I said, our Maggie’s good.”

“Good?” She laughed. “That’s like saying
Pride and Prejudice
is a nice little story. What a gross understatement. But since we’ve already established you’re a guy, I’ll let it go. You just can’t understand. It’s not in your genes.”

“Whoa, are you male-bashing already? It’s not even nine o’clock.”

“Nope. No bashing. Simply telling it like it is. Anyway, after I slide into my gorgeous gown and we all dry our eyes, Maggie will no doubt decide she needs to take a few nips here, a couple tucks there.”

She grimaced. “She might even have to let out the side seams. Northern winters tend to pack on a few pounds.”

“Hah, I seriously doubt that’s a problem for you,” Ty said.

“Thank you, sir. Your mother taught you well.” She wrapped her hands around her cup. “Anyway, once Maggie’s satisfied the dress fits me and is up to her standards, we’ll probably stop by the liquor store and pick up a couple bottles of vodka or, better yet, tequila. Then we’ll head to Maggie’s to eat pizza, drink margaritas, and smoke cigars.”

For just the barest second, his mouth dropped open. Then he rolled his eyes and groaned. “You’re putting me on.”

“Yes, I am.”

Disarming dimples popped out again when he grinned, and she could barely keep her fingers from reaching out to touch.

“The truth? I honestly don’t know what we’ll do today. I’ve never been to Lone Tree, and I have no idea what’s there.”

Now he laughed out loud. “What was your first impression of Maverick Junction?”

Thrown off by his change of subject, she hesitated. “Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

She pulled a face. “There’s not much here. I mean, it has a certain charm. And everybody’s unbelievably friendly.”

“But?”

“But, well, the town’s small. It’s…I don’t know.”

“Well, Tink, when you see Lone Tree, you’re gonna think Maverick Junction’s the big time.”

“You’re kidding.” She stared at him. “You have to be. Tell me you are.”

“Wish I was. You’re probably going to be disappointed in Lone Tree. But not in Maggie’s,” he added quickly. “She’s got herself a first-class operation. It was in the planning stages when my wife was pregnant with our boys. Julia helped her pick the wall colors.” A hint of grief shadowed his eyes.

Just as quickly he blinked it away. “Our Maggie fixed the place up cuter than a button and whips up clothes fine enough for a princess.”

Sophie nodded.

“But,” Ty continued, “the town? Less than impressive. Not a lot to do there. Although, I’ve got to say, Ollie makes a mean lemon meringue pie at the Cowboy Grill. My guess is you and Annie will stop in there and have a bite of lunch.”

He took the last drink of his coffee and set the cup on the scarred table. “Maggie’s probably going to— No, on second thought, Maggie
will
close the shop when you gals get there. I was thinking she wouldn’t be free to leave, but all things considered, my guess is she’ll take the day off to play with you girls.”

“I hope she does,” Sophie said. “From everything Annelise has told me and from my own first impressions, Maggie seems wonderful. I’d like to get to know her since she’s going to be part of Annelise’s life now. It’s so strange to think of her living here. In Texas. On a ranch.”

“Nothing you’d want, huh?” Ty asked.

Sophie shook her head. “No. I’m city through and through. I love having the opera and art museums, the ball park, the shopping at my fingertips. I actually like a throng of people on the sidewalks, in the cafes. I like the diversity, the ever-changing face of the city. The energy and vitality rejuvenate me. I can’t imagine living here.”

“That’s what Annie said a few months ago.”

Sophie shrugged. “Yeah, go figure. But it’s not for everybody.”

“No, don’t suppose it is.”

“Anyway, back to our girls’ day. Maggie will put on some music, and we’ll break out a bottle of champagne.”

“Undoubtedly,” Ty agreed.

“Maybe we’ll get good and tipsy. After all, a girl…or a guy, for that matter…only gets married once.”

A shadow passed over Ty’s face, and Sophie could have ripped out her tongue.

“Oh, Ty.” She set her cup down so quickly, coffee sloshed over the rim. “I’m so sorry. I’m an idiot.”

“Don’t.” A look just short of anger passed over his face. “Don’t pity me.”

“I’m not. I just—”

“Stop.” He held up a hand. “What’ll you do after you’re all good and tipsy?”

“Well, if we do that,” she hurried on, rattled by her faux pas, “we might need to call you to rescue us, pick us up in Lone Tree.”

“I’m available if you need me. Just give me a call.”

“You mean that, don’t you?”

“I do.”

The simplicity of his answer stopped her. Ty Rawlins intrigued her.

“You don’t believe me?”

“Let’s just say I’m used to guys who give lip service about being there. When push comes to shove, it’s a different story.”

“That won’t happen here.”

She heard the resoluteness in his voice. “You Texans are an interesting breed.”

“We like to think so.”

And that could be a problem, Sophie realized, because she found this particular Texan very interesting. On so many levels.

Halfway to the sink, coffee cup in hand, her cell rang. “Sorry,” she said to Ty. “Must be Annelise.”

“That’s okay. No hurry.”

“Hello?”

“Have a good trip?”