Two Cowboys in Her Crosshairs [Hellfire Ranch] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (21 page)

“Personally I think she doesn’t need
any
underwear.”

“Oh, for Pete’s sake,” Tag muttered.

Olivia shook her head and grabbed four panties in varying hues of red and blue from Jake. She shoved them back onto the rack. “Six is fine. You do have a washing machine, don’t you?”

“Yep.”

“Can we hurry this along?” Tag asked. “The men outside are going to rouse some interest soon.”

“I’m sorry,” Olivia said. “I’m almost done.”

She grabbed two bras. Bland, non-descript, and serviceable bras that screamed
blah
.

Hudson snatched them out of her hand. “You can’t pair boring bras with smoking-hot panties.” He nudged her out of the way and pawed through the rack. “Aha. These are perfect.”

He held up a dark-red number with a cleavage-baring front and a midnight-blue one that shimmered when he shook it.

“Fine,” she muttered. “Whatever. Where are the jeans?”

“Over here,” Jake said. “Aren’t you going to try them on?”

Hudson thought she was going to refuse, but she finally conceded.

They tore through the rest of the store in twenty minutes, and by the time they were done Olivia protested she had enough clothes to last the rest of the year.

Jake and Hudson agreed and refused to let her put anything away.

As Hank rang them up, she peppered Olivia with questions. Olivia handled them smoothly and deflected many more. Hudson knew she didn’t realize she was only tempting the dragon by making herself more mysterious. But they had no time to combat the wild theories flitting through Hank’s head.

“Hank, would you mind if I used your dressing room to change?” Olivia asked.

The big woman eyed the drooping sweat pants and oversized T-shirt Olivia wore. “Good call, honey. Talk is gonna be flying enough as it is. Last thing you need is to drop your drawers in the middle of the street.”

Olivia laughed. “Exactly what I’m afraid of. Thanks.”

Hudson and Jake waited outside the dressing room as she changed. Olivia took only a few minutes to change, and when she emerged she looked like a totally new woman. Her orange T-shirt skimmed her lush breasts and trim waist in a soft silhouette. The deep cut of the shirt showed off her delicious cleavage. His mouth watered.

The jeans were nearly sinful. The tight fit showed off her long legs, and the seat cupped her ass like a lover’s hand. If they didn’t get out of here soon, he might shove her back in the dressing room and really give Hank something to talk about.

From the way Jake eyed Olivia, he felt the same way.

“Where to next?” Hudson asked.

“The grocery store,” Jake said. “Bye, Hank. Thanks for your help.”

“Sure thing, honey. And you bring your girl back anytime. She’s a sweet little thing.”

Jake snorted as the door closed. “Yeah, a sweet little thing who can shoot the hat off a fly at a hundred yards.”

“Not anymore,” Olivia said. Sadness touched her eyes.

“That’s impossible,” Hudson said. He grabbed Olivia’s free hand and pulled her close. “Flies don’t wear hats.”

Laughter replaced the brief melancholy. “Hank is quite the woman.”

“She is at that.”

They rounded the end of the block and turned left toward the grocery store.

Olivia tugged on his hand. “What are those shops over there?”

He looked. “Post office and library combo.
The Page Turner
. A great little antique store called the
Piquant Peacock
,
Lake Jewelers
, and the
Freedom Soda Fountain
. Hey, have you ever had a real fountain soda?”

“Nope,” she said.

“Oh boy, come on.” He pulled her across the street and ignored Jake’s shout to come back. Seconds later the entourage was intact.

“What the hell are you doing?” Jake muttered. “We need to get done and home.”

“She’s never had a real fountain drink,” Hud said. “I’m going to get her one.” He knew the risk they were taking by being out so long, but he couldn’t stand the way her eyes dimmed when she’d made the remark about her eye. Besides, as long as they were
inside
they were safe.

Olivia leaned around him and looked up. “Can we stop by the bookstore, too? I could use something to relax with since my e-reader is probably a gooey charred mess.”

A muscle ticked in Jake’s jaw, and Hudson saw his blood pressure climbing by the second. Tag didn’t look all that healthy either.

“We’ll be inside and perfectly safe. Hell, you know this side of town was built to withstand bullets.”

“Yeah from the 1800s,” Jake said. “Not one shot from a high-powered rifle.”

They reached the bookstore, and Hudson opened the door. “What kind of book are you looking for?”

“Can’t you control him?” Tag muttered.

“As if,” Jake replied.

As usual the air inside the darkened store was stifling and hot with only a few oscillating fans to move the nonexistent breeze. Sadie Rose sat huddled behind her large desk with her nose practically pressed against a large computer monitor. She looked up and blinked rapidly. “Hello, boys. What brings you in today? Tag,” she gasped and stood up. She skirted the desk then counter and enveloped him in a hug.

The big man stood awkwardly in her embrace and patted her shoulders.

“I’m so sorry about Deputy Wallace.” Tears streamed down her face.

“Thank you, Sadie.”

“We’ve set up a casserole brigade for Mary Beth and the kids. There’s also an account at the bank to help cover his expenses and whatever else they need. What happened to him?”

“We’re still looking into it, Sadie.”

“Ongoing investigation. Right. Who is this?”

Hud was used to her rapid-fire topic changes. He stepped forward. “This is Olivia. She’s staying with us for a few days.”

“Olivia. What’s your last name?”

“Uh.”

“No last name,” he said smoothly. “Kind of like Madonna and Cher. You know?”

Sadie’s brows disappeared beneath her jet-black bangs. “Interesting.”

She held out her hand and shook Olivia’s. “Sorry to be so nosy. Occupational hazard. I’m something of a genealogist. Ever since I retired from the library and opened this store, I find myself getting deeper and deeper into it.”

“Don’t let her fool you,” Jake said. “She might be tiny, but there’s a whole lot of knowledge in that body. She knows everyone’s family tree back to Moses.”

Sadie giggled. “Flatterer.”

“I’m looking for some romance novels. Do you have any?”

“Heavens yes. Tons. They’re very popular.” Sadie took hold of Olivia and dragged her into the gloomy depths of soaring bookshelves. Olivia towered over the not-even-five-foot sprite, and Hudson noticed how she shortened her strides so the older woman wouldn’t have to run to keep up. Their Olivia was not only beautiful, but she was kind as well.

“She’s amazing, Jake.”

“I know.” He looked at his watch. “I’d like to keep her that way. We shouldn’t be making so many stops.”

“Let her have this one day before she goes into lockdown.”

“What if something happens?”

“What if something doesn’t?”

Jake grunted. “After all you’ve been through, how in the hell can you be such an optimist?”

Hudson shrugged away the painful memories. “Easy,” he said. “I had you and your family.”

Jake clamped a hand on his shoulder. “Yeah, and that will never change.” His glance flicked down the aisle to Olivia and Sadie. “No matter what.”

Hudson followed his gaze. “I hope not.”

“Trust me,” Jake said fiercely. “I have a plan.”

“Oh, Lord help us.”

Olivia and Sadie appeared from the gloomy aisle. They both had arms full of books. “Your lady is quite the reader,” Sadie announced as she dropped them on the counter. “I approve.” She winked at Olivia. “She has excellent taste, too.”

Hudson perused the titles of books and found his eyebrows arching. Most were erotic-themed novels with less-than-subtle covers. She’d also chosen a slew of historical and contemporary romances.

Olivia crossed her arms. “Yes?”

Hudson leaned down and picked up one of the hotter looking books. A naked man stood behind an equally naked woman. The only thing hiding their goods was a strategically placed title. “I like it. Can I read it? Better yet, will you read it to me?”

Sadie laughed and grabbed it out of his hand to shove it into a paper sack. “That’s twelve fifty, Olivia.”

She handed over a twenty, took the change, and stuffed it into the pocket of her brand-new jeans. Hudson had to admit they looked damn fine on her. Accentuated the lush curves of her hips and ass. The new V-necked orange T-shirt dipped just enough to hint at the cleavage nestled in her bra. When she’d come out of the dressing room, it’d taken all of his restraint not to sweep her into his arms and motorboat her bountiful breasts.

“Thanks, Sadie. I’ll be sure to visit the library the next time I come to town.”

“That’s excellent, dear.” She slid back behind the computer desk and plunked her nose back on the screen.

Tag opened the door and looked out then motioned to the deputies before calling the all clear.

Jake went out first then Olivia, and he brought up the rear.

They took about ten steps before she stopped again. “Those earrings are gorgeous,” she whispered and pointed to the window display.

“No jewelry shopping,” Tag said. “Let’s just get to the soda fountain, get your damn drink, and head to the grocery store. We’re attracting too much attention already.”

Hudson looked around. Sure enough, the Hex was filled with curious onlookers who were craning their heads.

“What the hell?” Jake muttered. He instantly butted up against Olivia. Hudson took up position on her right once more.

“I don’t know. It’s not like strangers are rare here, but they don’t get people out of their damn houses to gawk.”

One of the deputies opened the soda-shop door. Hudson handed him Olivia’s book bag while Jake piled on her clothes purchases to the other one. “What do you guys want to drink?”

“Chocolate shake,” Agby said.

“Make mine a vanilla malted with a splash of coconut,” Rice said.

“Got it.” Hud looked them up and down. “You boys are doing a great job. Keep it up.”

They glared at him, and Agby jerked his head. “Get inside.” He set the bag down, and Rice followed suit. As Hudson stepped inside, he saw them put their hands on their weapons.

Damn, he didn’t like this at all.

At the old-fashioned bar, Olivia was already charming Clint Howard. He was grinning like he’d won the Saturday lottery. The tall, lanky ex-football star was a good-looking guy with manners his Texas mama instilled from the cradle. He also had a genuine, booming laugh that captivated women far and wide.

Hud frowned. Maybe sodas weren’t a good idea after all.

“Yes, ma’am,” Clint said. He smoothed a hand over the walnut-and-marble countertop. The edges gleamed with brass details and were interspersed with notches that ladies had once used to hang their parasols from. “This is original. Pickens Willis had it special made when he settled here and built this place back in 1894.”

“It’s gorgeous. And so well kept,” Olivia said. She stroked the countertop, and Hudson’s abdomen rippled as though she’d caressed him.

His stomach rumbled as he walked up to the trio. “I’m hungry,” he announced. “Let’s have lunch at the Tin Star before we hit the grocery store.”

Jake and Tag both stared at him slack-jawed. “Are you freaking crazy? We can’t take her there. It’s indefensible.”

Clint looked bemused. “Hi, Hudson.”

“Clint.” Hud looked at Jake and shrugged. “It’s not that bad. Aren’t you hungry?”

“Yeah. Tag?”

“Sweet mother of mercy, you two are going to drive me crazy.”

“Why can’t she go there?” Clint asked.

Hudson ignored him.

“It’s a long story,” Olivia said. “They worry.”

“About what?”

“Nothing, Clint. Let’s go.”

Olivia straightened up and glared at him. “No.” She settled onto a stool. “I’d like to try the root beer, Clint.”

He smiled at her, and Hudson noticed for the first time all his perfect white teeth. Probably capped because he’d had them busted out during football. Hell, he probably had dentures. And bad knees.

Jake sat down next to her. “Me, too. Clint’s root beer is so famous he bottles it and sells in stores all over the Hill Country.”

Tag ordered a third root beer, and Hudson caved and pitched his, too. He couldn’t help it. Clint
did
make awesome drinks.

He also ordered Agby and Rice’s drinks then took them out to the men stationed in front of the door. The crowd around the Hex had swelled.