Lone Star Burn: Taken by Surprise (Kindle Worlds Novella) (4 page)

They both looked at her as if trying to find some hidden meaning in her words. Then Bob nodded.

“Okay. See you then.”

She climbed into her SUV and sat there with the door open for a minute, just thinking about the day. Everything had been a revelation to her, especially the fact that she was caught up in the whole concept.

“So, it
was
you I saw yesterday on the street here. Just what the hell do you think you’re doing here?”

The voice startled her, so she let out a small scream. Then she looked up to find Jack Ward standing by her car, glaring at her.

Jack had debated with himself about doing this, confronting her, but he wanted to know what the hell she was doing in Fort Mavis. He’d moved halfway across Texas to leave her and the memories behind, and here she was, bringing them back like a really bad dream. How could she just show up in his life like this when she’d put her fancy career ahead of him and walked away? He didn’t know whether to strangle her or kiss her, and that in itself made him mad.

“Just what the hell are you doing in Fort Mavis?”

If he’d expected her to be intimidated, he was way off the mark. He should have known better. Jessie was a spitfire who wasn’t unsettled by anything. At least not that she showed.

She glared at him. “I could ask you the same thing.”

“I have a job here,” he growled.

“And I inherited a business,” she snapped.

They stared at each other.

“So, you didn’t follow me here? Trying to patch things up?” Now that was a stupid thing to say. She was the one who walked away, not him. She didn’t even know he was here.

“Why would I do that? I didn’t even know you were here. Get over yourself, will you?”

He had so many different feelings dancing around inside him he couldn’t get a handle on them. She looked worn out at the end of what had to have been a long day for her, yet, makeup gone, her hair scraped back, dressed in utilitarian jeans and T-shirt, she still looked beautiful to him. Still made his cock hard and his balls ache, and a longing for her he thought he’d buried surged to the surface. He had to mentally restrain himself from grabbing her and placing a hot kiss on her delicious full lips.

“Uh, Jack?” Her voice penetrated his mental fog. “Hello. Anyone in there?”

He’d somehow spaced out, looking at her and thinking of all the things they’d done together naked. Of how soft and warm she felt in his arms, how he loved to hear her sweet laugh and see the sparkle in her eyes. For a moment, he remembered his shower last night and heat surged through his body. He was torn between wanting to pull her into his arms or turn her over his knee and spank her.

Oh, wait! That sparked more heated thoughts.

“I can’t believe you’re planning to stay here,” he said at last. “This place is hardly your cup of tea.”

“And it’s yours?” She lifted an eyebrow in a disdainful expression.

“Damn straight. I love it here, and I won’t let you screw it up for me. You walked away from me once. So stay away.”

“Is that an official order?” Fire snapped in her eyes.

“It’s whatever it needs to be,” he told her. “I started a new life here, and I don’t need you screwing it up for me.”

“Well, I’m starting a new life, too. So let’s just stay away from each other, okay?”

God, she drove him nuts. How was he supposed to get on with his life when he’d probably see her every day? He missed her so badly. Dreamed about her. Wanted her. The only woman he’d ever felt that way about. It was painful to admit, but he’d never let her know.

“What happened to your fancy job in Houston?” he demanded. “And your famous fifteen-year plan?”

“None of your business. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get home. I had a long day today, and tomorrow looks to be the same.”

But he couldn’t let her go. He needed answers from her.

“I want to know why you’re here and why you’re staying.”

“It’s none of your damn business. Now, get the hell out of my way.” She yanked the open door so hard he had to jump out of the way. With a squeal of tires, she pulled out of the area and into the side street.

Jack blew out a breath. A headache had begun to build, and he needed to cool down. He had to figure out what to do. Being around her would be a constant challenge for him unless he could get his feelings for her under control. And that didn’t seem very likely. He wondered if she was staying in Delfina’s old house. It seemed the most obvious place.

He waited until he was sure Jessie was on her way then hit the road. Reluctantly, he found himself driving slowly past Delfina’s house. Yup, there it was. Her slightly battered SUV. So she was settling in. Nesting.
Damn, damn, damn.
He’d had enough trouble dealing with it when she chose to walk away from what they had, but he was finally coming to terms with it. Now, here she was, back in his life. He was in such big trouble. And all the nights in the world with Lynne Robbins weren’t going to be a cure.

“That apron looks real good on you, honey,” Rona teased, “but don’t let Bob know you stole one of his.”

Jessie laughed and looked down at herself. She needed to get some aprons that fit her better, but she’d been so busy she just hadn’t had time. This one nearly swallowed her up, but at least it covered her clothes. She always tried to remember to take it off before she went out front to wait on customers. The one time she forgot, her crew and some of her customers had a good laugh at her expense, a laugh that broke the ice all around.

“I’m thinking of embroidering my name and some pink flowers on it.” She grinned. “Think Bob would appreciate that?”

Alton laughed, a booming sound. “I’d pay to see it, I’ll tell you.”

Jessie grinned. If anyone had told her three weeks ago she’d be settled into a small town in West Texas, own a place like Delfina’s Diner, and actually enjoy it, she would have told them to see a shrink. Yet, here she was, feeling unexpectedly comfortable and happy in an environment that, three weeks ago, had been like a foreign country to her. Go figure.

She was stunned to discover she had an instant love for both the house and Fort Mavis, not to mention the diner. That was one of the last things she’d expected. But things seemed to be working out better than she’d imagined at the restaurant. She could see herself making a home here, becoming a part of the community.

After their initial skepticism, her employees appeared to be accepting her. Diane had been the hardest to win over, for whatever reason, but even she gave Jessie grudging smiles and explained some of their systems to her. She’d included them when she drew up her supply orders, too, which she knew had made them feel good.

She knew everyone had been worried she’d want to come in and do a complete overhaul, but the place did a great business. She’d looked at the records in the computer and was astonished at the numbers. Even more shocked at the amount of money in the business checking account. As she became more comfortable with the situation, she could begin to make some improvements, but only with the input of the employees. She needed them to make this work.

Even the patrons of the restaurant were getting used to her, now that she didn’t seem to be “putting on airs,” as Rona had said, or have plans to sell the place. The regulars greeted her by name when they came in, often engaging her in conversation. They were, of course, curious to know the fate of the restaurant and smiled when she assured them it would stay open, with her at the helm.

She enjoyed chatting with them and was pleased to see how many of her guests were regulars. Working as a chef, she’d seldom got to mix with the customers. The restaurant owner had always done that. But here, in this environment, she was finding new opportunities to mingle with customers.

There was a lot of excitement in the air, too. A rodeo was scheduled at one of the big local ranches. Rona told her they’d be packed to the walls with customers while it was on. Even though they had some food at the event, most people liked to come into town to eat. Something else to look forward to. Maybe she could ease in a couple of new recipes before then.

So what if her fifteen-year plan had her living in an upscale condo in Houston and running her own trendy little café? Instead, here she was, fitting into a lifestyle she never would have imagined for herself. She visited the stores on Main Street, shopping the local merchants and introducing herself. A situation that at first blush looked like just a lifeline in her desperate situation was turning out to be a blessing. She wondered if this had been her destiny all along, a place she hadn’t even known existed before she’d received that unexpected letter.

It was time to cut her ties with Houston. The company that owned her apartment building had texted her several times, reminding her of the deadline. Fine. Tomorrow she would research some moving companies in Houston and arrange to take three days off to go back, close up her apartment, and take care of her stuff. Much as she hated to admit it, the crew was more than capable of running things without her. When she returned, she’d be a permanent resident of Fort Mavis, ready to move ahead with some changes to Delfina’s Diner.

If only she could find the letter from Delfina the attorney had mentioned. She’d looked everyplace in the house, found a lot of personal papers she would take her time going through, but no letter to her. Maybe Marshall Wohl’s genealogy search would turn up something. She sure hoped so. The details of the relationship were becoming more and more important to her.

“Your rolls sure are a big hit,” Alton said. “Good thing you made up several trays full. I can’t get them in the oven fast enough.”

“I might even have another recipe or two up my sleeve,” she joked.

The rolls were the first thing she’d edged onto the menu, and she had done it as tactfully as possible. She had several other recipes she wanted to introduce, but she was testing the waters, trying not to stomp on their pride in the meals.

“I think you must have chased the law away,” Rona said as she clipped new orders to the wheel. “He hasn’t been in since that first day, and he used to come in here all the time.”

“Maybe he’s decided he’s too good for us,” Alton called from the grill. “That’s okay. We’ll take Jessie any day.”

She had expected to work a long time for acceptance by her staff and was pleased it happened so quickly.

But Jack? That was another story. Rona was right. Since that first day, he hadn’t been back.

When she’d bumped into him a few times in a couple of the stores, they’d been coldly polite to each other. And sometimes, when she looked out her window at night, she would see him drive slowly by in his cruiser. At those times, she wanted to curl up and cry.

Realizing how much she’d hurt him made her heartsick, and she knew he was still so angry with her. If she had it to do over, she’d think it through and realize she could have had both him and her restaurant in her future. How stupid she’d been, and she was suffering for it now. If only she could figure out some way to repair the damage she’d done to their relationship.

Lynne Robbins, however, was in several times. Jessie was sure the woman was waiting for her to make a mistake, to screw up in some way. That way she could get her hands on the restaurant and keep her away from Jack. She was curious as to what he’d told the woman about them.

“You gonna stand there all day daydreaming?” Rona nudged her. “Marshall Wohl came in, and he’s asking for you.”

“For me?” She wondered what on earth he wanted. They had pretty much concluded their business.

“Uh-huh. He’s in the booth way to the right.”

She started to remove her apron then decided to leave it on. What the hell. It was who she was now. Instead, she grabbed a coffee carafe and a clean mug.

“Hello, Jessie.” He smiled at her when she approached

“Nice to see you, Mr. Wohl.” She filled the mug and slid it toward him. “Rona said you were asking for me?”

“I was.” He looked uncomfortable. “And I apologize in advance for this.”

“Is something wrong?” No, please don’t let there be a problem here. Please don’t let him have made some kind of mistake and he really meant to contact another Jessie Coford.

“I’m sorry to disturb you, Jessie.” He cleared his throat, “And I beg your pardon for it. And for this.”

He pulled an envelope from his pocket and handed it to her.

Jessie frowned. “For me?”

“Yes. This is the missing envelope. It seems Delfina came into the office about a week before she passed and left this at the front desk. Unfortunately, I had someone filling in for my secretary at the time. She had no idea it might be significant and just tossed it in a drawer.”

“And you found it today?”

“She called this morning, very embarrassed. Said she’d just remembered this and told me where it was.” He sighed. “Good help is so hard to find sometimes.”

Jessie stared at the envelope then turned it over. Her name was written on the front in flowing script but nothing on the back. And it was sealed. She noticed her hands shaking and stuffed the envelope in her jeans pocket.

“Thank you. I appreciate you bringing it by.”

“Again, my sincerest apologies.”

“No problem. Listen, I’ll send Rona out to take your order, okay?” She wasn’t sure she could write two words at the moment.

“Of course. And if there is anything in there that needs my assistance, please don’t hesitate to call.”

The letter burned a hole in her pocket all day. She was so distracted, when Bob came in, he told her to please stick to cleanup and stop screwing up the orders. At last, the day was over. She locked up and headed home, her head whirling as she wondered what Delfina had thought so important she wrote her a letter. Maybe she’d tell Jessie how they were related.

She had no appetite for anything to eat, so she took a shower, pulled on her sleep shirt, and fixed herself a mug of tea. She carried the mug and the letter into her bedroom and settled down on her bed to read. When she finished it, her heart pounded so hard she wondered it didn’t shatter the windows. She fortified herself with a sip of tea and began again.

My dear Jessie,

I have thought of you and your Grandma Rose all these years and my heart ached with the need to see you. Rose did keep me up on your life and sent me pictures, despite the bitterness between us. I want you to know that was all on me.

Decades ago, I fell in love with a dashing carpenter who was working his way up in the construction company where he worked. I was absolutely mad for him. But when he asked me to marry him, I turned him down. You see, I was working for a catering company and had plans to one day own my own. I did not have time for a relationship. I could not afford to lose my focus.

He was very angry with me. Asked me if I cared so little for him when he loved me with all his heart. He tried to tell me I could do both, but I was young and stupid and walked away from the greatest love I would ever find. When I finally realized what I’d lost, I went to him and tried to take it back, but I’d hurt him too badly. He told me I’d thrown away his love for a dream we both could have shared.

I had to leave town. I could not stay in the same city with him, knowing I’d be tempted to beg him every day to let me come back. I heard about a job as a cook at a ranch in West Texas, which is how I ended up in Fort Mavis. I worked there for a while then got a job in a restaurant in town. I’m sure you’ve figured out I’m talking about Delfina’s Diner. Eventually, I was able to buy it and threw myself into it. After all, what else did I have?

I think my worst pain came when I learned the love of my life had married my sister, your Grandma Rose. For years after that, I couldn’t even contact her. I was so bitter. I learned much later that she was too embarrassed to reach out to me, so there we were, two sisters who loved the same man. But she had been smart enough to hang onto him. The town became my family. But, eventually, curiosity got the better of me and I wrote to her. Among other things, she told me about your desire to become a chef.

I know you must be a good one, but if I can pass anything along to you, it is the knowledge that success is no replacement for a strong and abiding love. That only comes along once. I hope you will keep the diner going and not sell it. That you will love the town as much as I do and find a man who will own your heart. If you do, don’t be foolish and throw it away. If I leave you any legacy, that would be it. Follow your heart. It will take you to your dream.

All my love and the hope that you will make Fort Mavis your home as I did,

Great-Aunt Delfina.

Jessie read the letter twice more, tears streaming down her face. She hurt for her great-aunt, knowing firsthand the pain she felt. All those years she lived without the man she loved, and to know he had married her sister. Jessie was glad she had a brother instead because if she found herself in that situation, she didn’t know how she’d handle it.

What had she done to herself? Would she end up like Delfina, alone and regretting it every minute of the day and night, no matter how successful she was? Her problem now was how to mend fences with Jack and see if she still had a chance with him. If he could get past the way she’d walked away from him.

She plucked a tissue from the box on her nightstand and wiped her wet cheeks. Her tea had cooled, so she took it back to the kitchen, dumped it, and rinsed the mug. Despite the early hour, the emotions running through her exhausted her. Clutching the letter, she lay down on the bed, closed her eyes, and conjured up an image of Jack, the last time they’d been together before she walked away.

“You are so beautiful.” His voice was deep and gravelly, thick with hunger.

The timbre of it vibrated through her, making every secret place quiver with anticipation. She was naked, spread out on his bed, his fingers manacling her wrists as he danced kisses along the line of her jaw and down the side of her neck. He drew a trail with the tip of his tongue to the hollow of her throat, sucking lightly at the delicate tissue, beneath which her pulse beat so wildly.

She wanted to touch him, run her hands over his hard, masculine body, but he shook his head.

“My treat, darlin’. This is all for you. Just relax and enjoy it.”