Parker (9 page)

“I was surprised when you and Mercer said you
followed her the other day,” she told Callie. Funny, but Reba often
referred to Bekah in the third person, as if she really was a
different woman. And in some ways, she was.

“Are you kidding? She’s a rock star in the
foodie blog world,” Callie replied. “I mean,
you
are a rock
star in the blog world. Between your awards, your massive number of
followers, and your
Cottage Chats
podcasts, plus the quality
and frequency of your posts, you have this thing tied up in knots.
I’m not surprised you landed a book deal.”

“I was shocked when that happened,” Reba
said. “I owe it all to my agent.”

“And the other thing,” Callie added, “is your
anonymity. That was brilliant. I don’t understand why you did it or
how it came about, but it was good move on your part.”

Reba sighed. “I suppose. At the time, it was
a necessity. Nothing strategic about it. I can tell you more about
that. Maybe later. When the book comes out though, the anonymity
factor will likely be gone, and I have to prepare for that. There
are book tours and talk of a television show. Of course, my agent
wants the YouTube channel to go live very soon, but I’m thinking
there will be a pause on that with this black eye thing…”

“No doubt, but I have to say it is looking so
much better today than last time I saw you.”

Reba signed. “Oh good. Sometimes I can’t
really tell…”

“It is.” Callie snapped her fingers. “Reba,
do you have a publicist?”

Reba studied her new friend. She truly liked
Callie McKenna and hoped their friendship would grow into something
significant. “Actually, no, I don’t. My agent handles some small
stuff, like an occasional press release, but she’s made it clear
she is not a marketing person. I do everything I can, but I often
wonder if it is enough. Do you know of someone?”

Grinning, Callie said, “Well, hell yeah.
Me!
I worked several years for MediaBurst in New York. My
area of specialty is social media marketing.” She stopped and bit
her lip. “Reba, I’m not trying to horn my way in on a job, because
I don’t even know if you are looking for someone, but I sure would
love to take on some pro bono work for you—like I said Sunday, to
keep my skills up.”

“Are you serious?”

“Absolutely.”

“I’m flabbergasted, and the answer is
yes!”

“Awesome!” Callie rushed forward and gave
Reba a hug.

Reba pulled back. “But only on one condition.
It’s only pro bono for so long, then we figure out how to pay
you.”

“Deal.”

“Fantastic!”

And Callie was ready to dig in. “So, how much
time can you spend with me today? I need background information. I
want to know your goals. What you have done so far. Do you have a
marketing plan? You have a helluva digital footprint already and a
huge
platform upon which to build. Let’s talk about the
anonymity thing, why it came about, and how we move forward
revealing who you really are strategically….”

Reba’s head was spinning, and Callie must
have realized it when she stopped talking. “By the look on your
face I think I just totally overwhelmed you.”

Reba laughed. “Not at all, Callie. You are
perfect, and in so many ways, you are just like me. Let’s go into
the kitchen. I want to show you some things in process and we can
talk more.” She hooked her arm into Callie’s and took a couple of
steps. “Oh, but wait. I have an appointment with the orthopedic
surgeon at two this afternoon. Mike Attaway called right before you
arrived. I’ll need to watch the time and, well, I hate to impose,
but I was going to see if someone could take me. Are you free?”

Callie jumped in excitement. “Of course I am!
I’ll drive you. More time to learn the
Bekah’s Cottage
story!”

“Excellent. Let’s get to work.”

****

Parker studied the unfamiliar vehicle coming
up the lane. At the same time, his cell phone rang in his pocket
and Murphy rounded the corner of the porch, heading in from the
barn.

“That would be Callie,” Murphy said. “I just
told her to call you.”

He glanced to Murphy and then to the device.
Sure enough, Callie’s name flashed on the screen. He swiped to
answer the call. “Callie?”

“Oh good, Parker. I’m glad I caught you. Are
you home?”

Murphy stood waiting at his left, while the
truck coming up the lane slowed and bumped over the first cattle
guard. “Yes. For a moment. What do you need?”

“I forgot that Murphy and I have an
appointment with the wedding planner today, and I sort of promised
Reba that I would take her to the doctor this afternoon, and…”

“Callie, I have a shit-load of things to do…”
The time was just past noon, and he had intended to head into
Livingston during the hot part of the day to take care of some
business at the bank and then with the insurance company, and there
were bills at the hospital he needed to see about….

“I know you are busy,” she said, “but Mike
called Reba this morning and…”

Parker bristled. “Mike called Reba?”

“Yes. He made her an appointment with an
orthopedic surgeon.”

“
He
made the appointment?”

“Well, I guess. He called her and told her
where it was and what time he would meet her there, so…”

Sonofabitch
. “I will take her.”

She squealed. “Oh, thanks! We are actually on
our way. Be there in five, no probably more like three minutes.
Tell Murphy. Bye!”

He ended the call and took a moment to tamp
down that green-eyed monster inside of him, and then he glanced at
Murphy. “Wedding planner?”

His ranch manager nodded. “We set the date. I
didn’t think she’d want to do it this soon, with your father’s
passing and all, but Callie insisted that we get married this
summer so…”

“So you weren’t going to let her change her
mind.”

Murphy grinned. “No, sir. The wedding is in
August.”

Parker grinned. Best news he’d heard in
weeks. “Hot damn.” He grabbed up Murphy’s hand, shook it, and then
bear-hugged him. “I’m happy, and Daddy would be too.”

Murphy pursed his lips and nodded. “I’m
pretty sure of that myself.” He glanced up. “Well, there is
Callie’s SUV turning off the big road, and I guess we better see
who else that is pulling up.”

To hell with the other vehicle. Parker needed
to get a grip before Reba got there. This thing with Mike was
getting out of hand. He was going to have to do something about
that and damned fast.

****

Later that afternoon, Reba sat in the waiting
room of the orthopedic surgeon’s office waiting for her
appointment. The past couple of hours turned out to be a flurry of
activity. Now the doctor was late.

She glanced to Parker, sitting at her left.
“I’m sorry this is taking so long. You can leave if you want, and
I’ll call you when I’m finished. I don’t mind waiting on you while
you run your errands.”

Parker looked at her, his stoic gaze playing
over her face. “Thank you, but no. I’ll stay. Mike and I need to
have a chat.”

“Oh.” Reba glanced down to Parker’s hands
resting on his thighs, and then she turned back to look at the
television. “Are you mad at Mike?” she added.

He shook his head. “Now why would you think
that?”

“Perhaps it’s the way you are flexing your
fists and the fact that what you said just now seemed mighty
forceful.”

He stared. “I’m not mad.”

She stared back. “Of course you’re not.”

Small talk, Reba. Change the subject
.
“I’m glad the insurance adjuster came when he did. That was
convenient.”

Parker nodded. “Yep. One less thing for you
to take care of now.”

“Hopefully the wrecker will come while we are
gone and finally get my SUV out of your way.”

“It’s not in my way.”

“Well, the truck needs to be moved. I just
need to get this resolved, insurance and all. I can’t keep relying
on your family for transportation.”

Parker stared ahead, nodding again. “I have
no problem helping you out.”

Oh really?
Then why does this feel
like a major inconvenience?

He had barely spoken to her on the trip in.
Like his mind was elsewhere, focused on something deep and
consuming. Either she had misread him days ago, when he was kissing
the heck out of her in the cab of this truck, or he was truly the
strong, silent type. Thing was he wasn’t pulling it off so well.
She didn’t find it the least bit attractive.

Much.

Kissing him. Those moments had been heavenly.
And she had reveled in the touch of his lips against hers, the
searing brand of heat he left on her mouth. She had relived that
scene repeatedly the past couple of days.

Did Parker McKenna have feelings for her? Or
was he just reacting to a crying woman, trying to calm her sobbing
fit? That’s a pretty good way to shut up a crying woman, by
silencing her with a thousand kisses.

She didn’t care what was behind the
kisses—because they were enjoyable. Pleasant. And heck, they were
just kisses right? No need to go attaching any kind of emotion to
them.

Becoming emotionally attached to anyone right
now was not in her plan. She made a mental note to remind herself
of that fact, daily.

Her gaze dropped to his hands again, and she
watched him fold and unfold a tiny piece of paper. Nervous? She had
no clue what the paper was or where it came from. Maybe a
receipt.

His left knee was shaking.

She frowned. “Are you okay, Parker?”

“I’m fine.”

“You seem preoccupied.”

He looked at her. “Sorry. Just things on my
mind.”

He just lost his father, stupid!
“Of
course. You’ve had a long week, and I’m sure I am keeping you from
doing other things. Goodness, Parker, I’m sorry to be such a darned
inconvenience.”

His face softened then. “No, Reba. It’s my
fault. I’m just—”

“Reba?”

The man’s voice came from the door. Reba
twisted in her seat and then stood. “Oh, hello, Dr. Attaway.”

“Please call me Mike.” He rushed forward,
grinning.

Beside her, Parker stood, suddenly more
interested in what was going on around him. “Mike,” he said and
cocked his head a little.

Reba noticed his voice was low and a little
gruff.
Mr. Personable
was back full force.

Mike bounced an eager smile from Parker to
Reba. “Hey, Parker. It’s good to see you again, Reba.” He put out
his hand, and Reba took it. He gripped and held her hand tight, not
letting go. She was surprised at his soft, smooth skin. A doctor’s
hand. She’d sure shaken enough of those over the past few
years.

Mike continued, “I’m glad I could get away
from my office in time to introduce you to Dr. Cooper. He’s the
best bone man in the area.”

Smiling, Reba said, “Thank you.” Then she
turned to Parker. “And thank you, Parker, for making sure that I
got the best medical care here with Dr. Attaway. I surely do
appreciate it.”

“Even though I had to drag you kicking and
screaming…” he muttered, and then added, “Mike, I’d like a word
with you.”

Reba narrowed her gaze at Parker. What
was
this about?

“Of course,” Mike said, “but let’s get Reba
in to see Coop first.” He looked her square in the eyes then and
held her gaze. Almost too long. So long she felt the heat of
Parker’s stare on the side of her face. Mike continued, “I mean Dr.
Cooper. We’ve known each other since med school.”

Grinning broadly now, Mike skipped a glance
Parker’s way, tugged Reba’s hand closer to his body, and tucked it
into his elbow. Clearly, Mike Attaway focused solely on her.

See what being attentive can get you,
Mr.
Personable
?

Even though she was a little confused at the
doctor’s actions—why was he showering all of this attention on
her?—there was no denying Mike was kind-hearted, polite, and well
mannered.

She looked at Parker, who stood stone-faced
silent and brooding beside her.

“This way, Reba.” Mike led her away. Suddenly
she felt a little weird about the whole exchange.

Parker’s indifference. Mike’s rapt
enthusiasm.

Glancing back as she reached the door, Reba
took one more look at Parker, who was standing there, watching them
go—watching with a deep, puzzled scowl on his face.

Chapter Nine

He waited.

And the longer he waited, the more irritated
Parker became. When he couldn’t sit still, he paced the small
visitor’s area, pretty sure he was driving the other people there
insane.

In addition to himself.

He sat.

Stood.

Sat again. Watched the door.

He was as nervous as a whore in church, as
his dad used to say. Then he stopped abruptly, thinking about his
father, and how he’d never hear him say anything like that again.
Never hear his voice. Never get the fatherly advice or experience
his booming laughter.

He wished Reba had met him. Even if just
briefly. What would his father have thought of her?

He would have liked her. A lot.

Sitting again now, he watched the door where
Reba had left with Mike. He exhaled, wondering why in the hell he
was so bent out of shape where Mike was concerned.

Because you like her, cowboy. You like her a
lot. And he’s competition.

The door cracked open, and voices filtered
through from the hallway. Laughter. Reba’s giggle mingled with
Mike’s deep voice. The door fully opened and they stepped through,
Reba with her splint gone now and looking mighty sexy in that pair
of big, dark sunglasses.

He’d wanted to tell her that earlier—how cute
and sexy she looked in them, with her long reddish hair fanning
about and framing her pale and slightly freckled face—but he
couldn’t find the words then.