Flirting with Texas (Deep in the Heart of Texas) (2 page)

“Really?” She held the camera higher. If she was taking pictures, she was doing it through video. The green record light was on. “What happens to stubborn horses when they can no longer pull a carriage?”

“They usually find themselves—” The driver stopped
and pointed a finger at the camera. “Hey, don’t I know you? You’re the blonde that was here last week asking questions and taking pictures.” He stepped closer, his voice angry. “You almost lost me my job when my boss saw that video on YouTube.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” The woman started to back away, but the driver grabbed her arm and pulled off her wig. The blond ponytail spilled out.

“You don’t, huh?” He dropped the wig and made a grab for the phone. “Hand over the phone, Blondie.”

Beau had seen about as much manhandling as he could take. Opening the door of the carriage, he climbed in with the intent of climbing out the other side and helping to even the odds. But before he could do more than open the opposite door, Blondie proved him right. The driver was no match for the skinny girl. She threw an elbow-shot into the man’s stomach that had Beau sucking in his breath. The driver released her, but before she could make a run for it, a swarm of other carriage drivers came running. With all exits blocked, most people would’ve given up. Blondie wasn’t even fazed. She vaulted up into the driver’s seat of the carriage, took the reins, and shouted a deep-throated “hah!”

Beau braced to be thrown on his ass.

Instead, nothing happened.

“Hah!” Blondie continued to slap the reins. But the only movement it generated from Lightning was a flick of his tail.

Her shoulders drooped, and Beau figured she was about to accept defeat when the four boys in baggy shorts raced past. The scent of burning fuses warned Beau, but not quickly enough. The staccato pops of firecrackers
went off right next to the horse’s front hooves. The draft horse reared, and Beau was thrown back against the seat. By the time he sat up, the horse was at a full run. Carefully, Beau made his way to the driver’s seat. Blondie wasn’t quite as sassy anymore. She had lost the reins and was hanging on to the side rail for dear life.

Without any guidance, the horse chose his own path. Fortunately for the pedestrians, it was a less populated route. Unfortunately for Beau and Blondie, it wasn’t really a route.

Shrubs and low-hanging branches whacked them in the faces and scratched their arms as the horse charged down a narrow trail. Figuring that the back was safer than the front, Beau lifted the woman off the seat and pulled her down to the cushioned red leather. It didn’t surprise him that she wasn’t exactly happy about being protected. She fought worse than a lassoed steer. Still, after being bested earlier, Beau wasn’t about to let her get the upper hand again. And since he didn’t want to hurt her, it turned into something of a wrestling match.

The woman knew her moves. She tried headlocks, cradles, and Half Nelsons. But Beau hadn’t wrestled in high school for nothing. After only a few moments, he ended up on top with her legs pinned beneath him and her arms held over her head.

The fight fizzled out of her just as the carriage came to a stop. Beau’s hat had come off, and his face was inches from hers. So close, he could see the freckles that sprinkled the bridge of her nose. So close, he could see the starbursts of deep blue in her irises. Her hair had come out of the ponytail and framed her face in long, wheat-colored waves. He had always preferred dark-haired girls, but the
cloud of gold looked so soft that he couldn’t help leaning down to rub his cheek against the silky strands. A scent drifted up. A scent he had no trouble distinguishing.

Cherry pie.

Homemade cherry pie piping hot from the oven.

Suddenly, Beau was hungry.

And not for food.

Like a lightning bolt straight from heaven, desire sizzled through him and settled in a hard knot beneath the fly of his jeans. The unexpected sensation had him pulling back in surprise, and the spitfire didn’t waste any time taking advantage of the opportunity. She gave him a hard shove and rolled out from beneath him. Still stunned, he could only watch as she grabbed her tote bag and jumped down from the carriage.

The slamming door brought Beau out of his daze, and his gaze moved down to the hardened swell beneath his zipper. A smile spread across his face. Not the smile he gave to most folks, but a real smile that came directly from the relief that flooded his body.

Up ahead, he could see the woman hobbling down the path in only one high heel, her golden hair glistening in the moonlight. After an entire night’s contemplation, a name popped into his head.

Jenna Jay.

“S
O YOU STOLE A
C
ENTRAL
P
ARK CARRIAGE
?”

Jenna Jay Scroggs finished pouring milk over her Honey-Combs before turning to answer the question. Her neighbor, Sophia Caruso, sat at the small kitchen table with the morning newspaper spread out in front of her.

“I didn’t steal it,” Jenna said as she moved over and sat down in the chair opposite Sophia. She had already read the newspaper article, but couldn’t help leaning over to take another look. “I just borrowed it to escape the lunatic driver.”

Sophia glanced up from reading the article. “Let’s define lunatic. A carriage driver who is trying to save his job? Or a woman who thinks she can save the world?”

Jenna spooned a bite of cereal into her mouth and munched on it. “I’m not trying to save the world. I’m just trying to bring people’s attention to injustices.”

“Don’t get me wrong,” Sophia said. “I think it’s great that you organized all the apartment building tenants and convinced the landlord to fix the things in the building that have needed to be fixed for years. And I’m
all for pitching in on a bake sale to do away with childhood hunger and participating in a walkathon to Save the Tigers. But when you start picketing the corner market because their produce is overpriced and slipping around in disguises to get videos of overworked carriage horses, I think you’ve gone a little off your rocker.” She tapped on the newspaper. “You’re lucky you didn’t wind up in jail.”

“Why should I go to jail when the driver was the one who attacked me?” Jenna said. “I only jumped up into the carriage to escape him and his friends.”

Sophia continued reading. “Well, either the driver was worried you were going to press charges or he didn’t want any more publicity about the horses. He calls what happened ‘an unfortunate accident’ and doesn’t say a word about the YouTube videos or you trying to steal his carriage. The entire article seems to be about this cute cowboy and his ‘near-brush with death.’ ” She held up the newspaper to show Jenna the picture on the front. A picture of a grinning idiot sitting in the driver’s seat of the carriage with the reins held loosely in one hand while he tipped his black Stetson with the other.

“I wouldn’t call an old, gray-haired cowboy cute,” Jenna mumbled and shoved in another bite of cereal.

Sophia took the newspaper back and studied the picture. “He has gray hair?”

Silver hair. Thick silver hair that glistened like a shiny new dime in the moonlight.
Not exactly sure where the thought had come from, Jenna shook her head to clear the image. “Do you recognize him? Do you think he’s one of Alejandro’s thugs sent to snuff me out?”

Sophia laughed. “Snuff you out? You and your wild
imagination, Jenna. I seriously doubt that the Mexican Cartel would hire a rodeo cowboy to kill you just because you’ve decided to champion one of the neighborhood kids they hired to deal their drugs.”

“Miguel doesn’t deal drugs anymore,” Jenna stated. “After I got him a job busing tables at Herbs and Spices, he promised me that he’s sold his last hit of cocaine.”

“I hope you’re right, but kids who are involved with gangs and drugs don’t just give it up overnight.” She studied the picture. “So this cowboy was following you?”

“I veered off the path to make sure, and he followed right behind me.”

“Well, he doesn’t look like a mugger,” Sophia said. “Maybe he just thought you were pretty and wanted to get your number.”

It was possible, especially when he hadn’t made one attempt to harm her. Even when they wrestled, Jenna had felt as if he held back. His holds were firm, but not bruising. And when he finally succeeded in pinning her, there was a moment when his thumbs had actually caressed the pulse points of her wrists.

Just the thought of his warm, gentle fingers had Jenna’s stomach fluttering, and she ignored the last Honey-Comb and got up to carry her bowl to the sink.

“I better get going. I’m taking over Anna’s shift this morning.” Jenna rinsed out her bowl and placed it in the dishwasher. “You want to come over after I get off work? We can get take-out and watch a movie.” She turned around and flashed a hopeful smile. “Or we could picket Fresh Mart and see if we can’t get them to give us the same price on peaches as they give their Jersey customers.”

Sophia got to her feet. “No, thanks. I’ll leave price-slashing and saving the world to the superheroes. Besides, I’m still returning wedding presents. Which is exactly what I deserve for not cancelling the wedding before my big, fat Italian family sent gifts.”

Jenna laughed and followed Sophia to the door. “I’ll pick up take-out and meet you at your place to help. But be warned, my handwriting is atrocious.” She held on to the door as Sophia stepped out into the hallway. “And I’m not bringing any of the healthy crap from Herbs and Spices. I’ve been craving a couple cheeseburgers with extra crispy fries.”

“Get me a chicken sandwich,” Sophia said. “I’ve put on ten pounds since becoming your friend. You might be one of those people who can eat whatever they want and never gain a pound, but that doesn’t mean you’re not clogging your arteries with all that fat.”

Jenna shrugged. “Superheroes need at least one weakness, don’t they?”

Before Sophia could reply, a high-pitched, whiny voice drifted up the stairs. Both women turned and watched as a tattooed rocker appeared. He held a guitar case in one hand and used the other to push back the wild mane of black hair that fell over his face. Hair that always looked like it had been through a tsunami. In college, it had been unique and sexy. Now it just made Jenna want to pull out a pair of electric clippers.

Davy stopped in mid-lyric when he rounded the corner and saw them. His smile drooped. “Hey, babe. I thought you’d be at work already.” He walked over and gave Jenna a quick kiss that tasted of cigarettes and stale beer. Her annoyance must’ve shown in her eyes because he quickly tried to explain.

“I just had a couple beers with the guys—just to loosen up the creative juices. You’ll be happy to hear that we got a gig.”

“Wow,” Sophia’s voice was thick with sarcasm, “two gigs in a year. Before you know it, your picture will be on the cover of
Rolling Stone
.”

With all the hair, it was hard to tell what kind of look Davy shot her, but his words were sharp. “And I’ll try not to forget all the little people.” He turned and ambled into the apartment.

When he was gone, Sophia quickly apologized. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so mean. It’s just that I don’t get why you put up with the guy. In case you haven’t figured this out, he’s a deadbeat.”

Stepping out into the hallway, Jenna closed the door behind her. “You sound exactly like my parents. Just because Davy has long hair and tattoos doesn’t make him a deadbeat.”

“No, but living off his girlfriend for the last year does.” Sophia sighed. “Look, I wasn’t going to say anything. But you saved me from making a bad mistake with Brian, and I think it’s only fair that I try to save you. I realize you think you’re in love with Davy. But are you in love with him or is he just another one of your causes?”

There were very few times in her life when Jenna had been struck speechless. This was one of them. She was shocked at how completely wrong Sophia was. Jenna loved Davy. That’s why she put up with his hair, his loud music, his joblessness, and his cigarette smoking and drinking. That was why she had gotten in a fight with her family and hadn’t talked with them for close to a year. Why she had moved from a state that she loved to a big
city with buildings so tall she couldn’t see where the earth met the sky.

“Okay,” Sophia held up a hand, “that’s the last time I’ll bring it up. I’ll see you later at my place?”

With her mind still a little stunned, Jenna only nodded before she turned and went back into her apartment. Davy was standing at the kitchen counter, pouring himself a glass of orange juice. For a moment, she studied him. Studied his mussed mop of hair and the too small t-shirt that clung to his thin torso. The miles of tattoos that covered his arms and the studded belt that hung on the hips of his skinny jeans.

“We’re out of OJ,” he said as he poured the last of it in his glass. “And can you spare a twenty? I need some new guitar strings—”

“I love you,” Jenna blurted out.

There was a strained moment where Davy’s shoulders tightened before he answered. “Yeah, I love you too, babe.”

Relief flooded Jenna, and she walked over and gave him a hug from behind. He didn’t turn and hug her back, but Davy had never been the affectionate type. Instead, he took a drink of his orange juice and pulled a cheese Danish out of a bag as if his girlfriend wasn’t clinging to his back like a baby chimpanzee. The pastry smelled delicious, and she leaned up for a bite, but he pulled it away before she could get one and headed to the bedroom.

“Just leave the twenty on the dresser.”

After he went to bed, Jenna got in the shower. While she stood under the hot spray of water, she went over all the reasons that she loved Davy. There had to be a million. So many that she was still at it when she walked into
the bedroom to get dressed. Davy was sound asleep, his mouth drooling on the embroidered pillowcases her Aunt Lucinda had made for her. She suddenly remembered the twenty that he’d asked for and went in search of her tote bag.

She found her bag in the corner of the living room where she’d tossed it the night before. Along with one silver high heel. Just the sight of the lone shoe ticked her off, and she kicked it out of the way and grabbed her bag. She went to pull her wallet out when she noticed the side pocket where she kept her cell phone.