Linda Warren - A Texas Hero

After a long moment, he replied, “No.”

“I’m not either, if that matters.”

“It doesn’t.”

“I thought you might be feeling guilty.”

“I’m not. Now, go to sleep.”

“I’m not sleepy.”

“Lie down and close your eyes. That’s what most people do.”

She thought of doing that, but her mind was filled with thoughts about the day, the heat, Ethan and the night. Not to mention her dad and Chloe. She hoped her dad wasn’t worried too much. How could he not be? His only child had been taken hostage in a bank robbery.

The warm wind brushed across her face, reminding her that she was alive. And soon her dad would know that, too. With water, there was no doubt they could make it to safety. She’d say goodbye to Ethan and they’d go their separate ways.

She touched her lips and remembered the kiss. Maybe she could say goodbye in another way. Did she have that much nerve?

“Ethan.”

CHAPTER SIX

ETHAN IGNORED THE soft voice that triggered emotions he’d rather not have. Shouldn’t have. But he had to admit for the first time in years his resistance to the opposite sex had reached an all-time low. Against his better judgment, he’d kissed her. And didn’t want to stop. She was as tempting as a drink of water from the pitcher and he couldn’t get enough.

After the comment about sucking the sweat from his chest, he couldn’t get that image out of his head. And he was a man who didn’t fantasize. Ever. Except in his teens and early twenties. And occasionally since then. Okay, he was lying to himself now. He didn’t want to be attracted to Abby. As a police officer, he considered her under his care and protection. It was hell having to remind himself of that.

“Ethan.”

“Go to sleep.”

“I’m worried about my little girl.”

“I’m sure she’s fine. Doesn’t your dad have her?”

“Doug probably has her by now. I don’t want him to tell her what happened. She’ll be scared.”

“He’s a father. He won’t do that.”

“I guess.” She jumped up at a chirping sound. “What’s that?”

“Crickets. They’re harmless.”

“I know, but they’re very loud.” She pulled the mattress closer to his. “It might be something else.”

“It isn’t. Lie down and go to sleep.”

She sat on the mattress, but didn’t lie on it. “Aren’t you worried about your daughter?”

He sighed. “What do you hear when I say go to sleep?”

“I’m sorry. I feel as if I’ve had a double espresso. I’m wired and restless. Could we talk for just a minute? It might help me to relax.”

“Why do women always want to talk?”

“Oh, I don’t know, why do men want to drink beer and watch sports?”

“So we don’t have to talk.”

“Too bad. We’re talking.”

He groaned, wondering if he was ever going to win with this woman. She should have been a lawyer.

“Is your daughter okay with your dad?”

He wasn’t going to answer. Putting his hands behind his head, he stared out at the dark sky. A wide swatch of black velvet with millions of twinkling rhinestones covered it, or so it seemed. The moon hung like a big spotlight enhancing the glow of the rhinestones. It was beautiful. Relaxing.

Before he knew it, he began to speak. “Kelsey’s...”

“What a pretty name.”

“I didn’t pick it.”

“Mmm. So she’s okay with your dad?”

“Maybe. Maybe not.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means it’s complicated. Now...”

“No, I’m not going to sleep,” she snapped. “Tell me about your dad and your daughter.”

He turned to gaze at her through the darkness. “You can be annoying.”

“Do you want me to tell you what you’re like?”

“No. I know what I’m like.”

“Good. So continue.”

He stared at the starry rhinestones, wondering if he could bore her to sleep if he kept talking. He understood her anxieties. There were a lot of dangers out here, but he couldn’t dwell on that. They had to rest for the walk tomorrow.

“My dad is a country cowboy, born and raised in Willow Creek, Texas. He has a ranch and works the land like his father before him. He’s a simple man and not too knowledgeable about today’s teenagers. When my daughter arrived with her long dyed-black hair with a purple streak, black jeans and T-shirt, painted black nails and toenails with three earrings in each ear, it was a bit of a shock.”

“Oh, my.”

“The first thing he said was, ‘Son of a bitch, the aliens have landed.’”

“Oh, no.”

“I had to have a talk with him. His vocabulary is a bit colorful and I asked him to curb his swearing around Kelsey. I wanted to create a better environment for her.”

“Did he do it?”

“Oh, yeah. He made up new words to use. Instead of saying son of a bitch, he now says things like sunny beaches or son of a beady-eyed bitty or son of a dipstick or anything that comes to mind. For goddamn he says shazam. For shit he says shih tzu.”

“That’s a dog.”

“Yes, and bull shih tzu sounds even worse. As does baboon or buffoon for bastard.”

“What does he use for the f word?”

“He’s an old cowboy and doesn’t use that word.”

“That’s a relief.” He could almost see her smiling. “She’ll stay at his house until you return?”

“I live with my dad. I guess I didn’t make that clear.”

She laughed. A soft melodious sound that under other circumstances would have excited him. Now it irritated him.

“You find that funny?”

“Oh, yeah. Mr. Macho Cop living with his dad just doesn’t fit.”

“I’m macho enough to make it work.”

“I bet you are.” She laughed that sound again. “Have you always lived at home?”

“I had an apartment in Austin, but my mom died about five years ago and I started going out to the ranch more and more because I knew my dad was lonely. He’s getting older and I noticed how much he’s slowed down. On my days off, I started helping him on the ranch. When it was late, I’d stay the night. I was using my apartment very little so I decided to move home. When I found out about Kelsey, I was glad I had a real home for her.”

She jumped up again at a soft hoot. “Oh, oh, what’s that noise?”

“It’s an owl. Haven’t you been in the country before?”

“Once. When I was a Girl Scout. I think I was eight.” She pulled the mattress closer to his. He could reach out and touch her, which he wouldn’t.

“I’m sorry about your situation, but I’m sure your dad and Kelsey will adjust, especially since they’re both worried about you.”

“Not likely. Kelsey tends to ignore us. She stays in her room watching vampire movies and only comes out to eat.”

“How sad.”

“She’d agreed to go horseback riding this morning. That’s why I was in a hurry to get home.”

“I’m so sorry for stopping on the highway like that. Everything was my fault.”

He sat up, feeling restless and edgy. “In life things happen, so don’t beat yourself up too much.” He didn’t know why he was letting her off so easily. Maybe because there was no way to change what happened. And Abby would, if she could.

“That’s the nicest thing you’ve said to me.”

“Mmm. I’m not known for niceness.”

“How about with Kelsey?”

He wrapped his arms around his knees. “I’m trying, but at this late date I’m not sure if we can form a father-daughter connection. I’ve enrolled her in school, but I worry how she’ll fit in. Willow Creek is a country school with country kids who wear Wranglers and boots. Some wear the low-rider jeans and T-shirts, but none have a purple streak in their hair.”