Nearest Thing to Heaven (Maverick Junction) (10 page)

“Yes, she was. Have a safe trip home.”

“Will do.” Kinsey stood, gave Ty a quick hug. “Thanks, Ty, for everything.”

“You bet.”

“You might stop by the newspaper, Sophie, and casually mention my sister.” She winked.

Sophie laughed. “Will do.”

Ty frowned. “What am I missing?”

“My lips are sealed.”

Kinsey laughed and crossed the yard to say the rest of her good-byes.

“You don’t have to take us home, Ty. I’m sure somebody’s going into town and can—”

“I said I’d do it.”

“You’re mad at me. Why?”

“Don’t be stupid. Why would I be mad at you?”

“Exactly what I’ve been wondering.”

He ignored the comment. “Rosie sent me to round you up. She’s decided nobody really ate like they should have—her words, not mine—so she’s setting out some of the leftovers and wants us all to have dinner together.”

“I’m not really hungry.”

“Uh-uh. You’re not getting me into trouble with Rosie.” He held out his hand. “My folks are picking up the boys and taking them home with them, so I’ve got plenty of time to eat and get you home in one piece.”

“Fine. I’ll eat.”

Once she had food in front of her, she ate ravenously, hungrier than she’d realized. Rosie had been right. While she’d picked at some food, she’d never actually sat down with a plate.

Brawley opened a couple bottles of leftover champagne and they toasted the absentee bridal couple, then themselves for a job well done.

Sophie looked around the table. What a mismatched, delightful group, brought together out of love for Annelise and Cash. Annelise’s parents and grandfather, all richer than Croesus, laughed and talked to Rosie and Hank as if they’d been friends forever. Dottie, Maggie, and her grandpa chatted with Cornelia and her lifelong friend Thelma. Her own parents chatted a mile a minute to anyone within shouting distance.

Finally too full to eat another bite, Sophie pushed away her plate.

“Ready to go?” Ty asked.

“I am. Dottie, how about you?”

“Honey, I’m so tired I don’t know if I can walk to the pickup.”

Ty grinned. “Want me to carry you?”

“Don’t tempt me. I might take you up on it.” She stood. “Rosie, let me help with the dishes first.”

“No way. No dishes for me tonight. That crew Annie hired is cleaning up.” Rosie’s eyes twinkled. “How about that? I feel like a queen.” She primped at her hair.

“You are a queen.” Brawley dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “I’m gonna take off, too. I promised Doc I’d give him a hand tomorrow.”

Hank asked, “On Sunday?”

“Yeah, he’s got a dog that’s losing ground. I said I’d take a look, see if I can figure out what’s going on.”

Rosie patted his arm. “You’re a good boy, Brawley Odell.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” He shifted his glance to Maggie at the far end of the table. “Not everyone thinks so.”

Maggie’s gaze dropped to her plate.

Nope, Sophie thought. These two weren’t nearly finished. The fire between them hadn’t gone out. Not by a long shot.

They left, loaded down with plates of leftovers and wedding cake. Her parents promised to stop by in the morning before they flew home.

Totally unaware of the tension between Ty and herself, Dottie chattered the entire way. Sophie couldn’t wait to shut herself in her apartment. No doubt about it, Ty had definitely gotten his back up about something.

Well, too bad.

He pulled into the drive and walked around to the passenger side. Holding Dottie’s leftovers, Ty helped her climb out of the truck.

Several plates balanced in one big hand, he opened Sophie’s door. “Hold on, would you?” he asked. “Let me see Dottie in, then I’d like to talk to you.”

Oh, boy. She watched the two walk off, feeling like a kid summoned to the principal’s office. But she stayed put.

When he came back, he took her food from her, then offered her a hand. She almost swore at the jolt when they touched, saw the same awareness in his eyes. Whatever this was, she wasn’t alone in it.

“I’ll see you in.”

“You don’t—”

“Sophie, we’ve covered this ground before. Besides, like I said, I want to talk for a minute, and I’d rather do it inside.”

Stiffly, she stalked up the stairs in front of him. At the top, she reached for her plates, but he moved them away.

“Unlock your door.”

“Jeez, who put you in charge of the world?”

A hint of a smile played over his lips. “Just do it.”

Once inside, he reached around her, set the plates on the kitchen counter. Then, catching her totally off guard, he caught her around the waist and pulled her to him.

“I might regret this, but so help me God, I can’t resist.” He leaned into her, his eyes storm-gray now. The heat in them started a fire deep in her belly.

Not a single coherent thought remained in her head as his lips touched hers, moved over them. As his tongue slipped between them and mated with hers.

He pulled away as abruptly as he’d begun. His curse rent the night air, and his forehead dropped to hers.

“I’m sorry, Sophie.” He stepped back. “I probably shouldn’t have done that. I had no right.”

“Why not?”

“I’ve got more baggage than you could begin to imagine.”

“Don’t we all?” Ignoring her own warning bell, she grabbed his bow tie and, catching him off guard, tugged him to her. When her lips found his, he readjusted, changed the angle. She melted into him. This cowboy’s kiss left every other she’d ever known in the dust.

This time, she pulled away. Took a deep breath. Saw that he looked totally shell-shocked. Good. Only fair, since he’d started it.

Now they both needed a time-out.

“Good night, Ty.” She laid a hand on his chest and backed him out, then closed the door.

S
ophie didn’t have high hopes for Sunday. The day was bound to be that deep breath after a job well done. Rewarding, but a bit of a letdown.

Her parents stopped by as promised, and she took them to Sally’s Place for an early breakfast. Her mom badgered her till she promised not to fall under whatever spell had gotten its hooks into Annelise. Sophie assured her there was no danger of that happening. Her stay in Texas was very temporary.

A huge sigh of relief escaped Sophie as she stood in Dottie’s driveway, waving good-bye to her mom and dad as they drove off in their rental, headed for the airport and Boston. As great as it had been to see them and as much as she’d miss them, she desperately needed some time alone. For the first time in days, she could do exactly as she pleased. She had no demands and no one to answer to. She had nowhere she had to be. Not even Dee expected her back in Chicago by any specific date. Her parents knew where she was and had no reason to worry about her.

Her only deadline? That darn overdue spring line. Since she didn’t believe in creative blocks, it was simply a matter of clearing her mind. Once Sophie did that, everything would fall into place.

She’d had no e-mails from Nathan yesterday. Maybe he’d finally gotten the message. A girl could hope.

And this apartment? All hers! Dottie’d been delighted to have her, however short-term. After all the activity here, the place needed a quick going over. Scrounging under the sink, she unearthed a dusting cloth and, with Maroon Five belting out their latest hit, went to work.

A knock sounded on the door, and her heart did a quick pirouette.
Ty?

Tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, she rushed into the kitchen and saw Hank outside the door.

Her heart lurched, nearly bursting out of her chest. She ran to the door and threw it open. “Annelise and Cash? Are they okay?”

“Whoa. Don’t get yourself all worked up. They’re fine.” He laid a hand on her shoulder. “Girl, you’ve gone whiter than a sack of flour.”

She wet her lips. “I thought— When I saw you, I thought there’d been an accident.”

“Guess Rosie was right. Damned woman always is. She said I should call first.” He swiped the toe of one scuffed boot across the wooden landing. “Afraid if I did, though, you’d refuse the car. Then I’d have Cash to answer to.”

She frowned at him. “What are you talking about?”

In answer, he reached into his faded jeans pocket and came out with a set of keys. “Here. These fit the Chevy in the drive. And before you start telling me all the reasons why you can’t take it, you need to know it’s one of the ranch cars. Anybody in need of transportation uses it. It’s not a bad car, and one of the hands cleaned it up for you. I filled it up, so you’re good to go.”

“But I don’t need it.” She put her hands behind her back. “I can rent one.”

His jaw set. “You want to get an old man in trouble?”

“Well…No.”

“Then take the damn car. Otherwise Cash is gonna be pissed at me when he and Annie get back.” He fastened his gaze on her. “And then there’s Rosie. Woman probably won’t talk to me for a week if you don’t take these keys.”

“You’re hitting below the belt, Hank.”

He grinned. “Man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do. Come on. The car’s a beater. Everybody and his brother drives it, so why not you?”

Resigned, she held out her hands for the keys. “Why not me?”

He tipped his hat to her. “Thank you, ma’am.”

“Thank
you
, Hank. Do you need a ride back to the ranch?”

“No, ma’am. Liam’s waiting downstairs in his truck. If I know him, he’s already sweet-talked Dottie out of a batch of cookies, so we’ll have ourselves a little Sunday treat on the ride home.”

“Thanks again.”

He tipped his hat and trudged down the stairs.

Sophie watched him make his way to the drive and across to Liam’s pickup. Bowlegged from so many years on horseback, Hank was the stereotypical Texas cowhand. He had an easy way about him and was a good person. He and Rosie made a great pair. Annelise had told her their story, romantic in its own sad way.

Since she had wheels now, she might as well run down to Mabel’s Suds and throw in a load of laundry, then stop at Sadler’s Store for a few groceries. If she intended to make Maverick Junction and this apartment home for a while, it was past time she settled in.

By the time Sophie’d finished and had her groceries put away, her head was near to bursting with design ideas. Sitting at the kitchen table, bent over her laptop and sketch pad, she worked furiously, laboring to get them down on paper.

Finally, though, her back screamed that it was time for a break. Looking at the wall clock, she was shocked to see it read a quarter past three. How could that be? She needed coffee.

Her stomach rumbled. Okay, she hadn’t eaten since breakfast, either.

First things first. A rare fix of caffeine. She moved to the counter and scooped coffee into Annelise’s fancy little machine. While it grumbled, she headed in to draw a bath.

Inside of ten minutes, she slid into the warm, luxuriously scented water. Her aching muscles thanked her. A steaming cup of coffee within arm’s reach, she leaned her head against the bath pillow and closed her eyes. Ahhh. The old claw-foot tub should be deemed a national treasure. What a shame they didn’t make them like this anymore.

She’d programmed her iPod to a mix of Enya and Loreena McKennitt, and the music wove its magic, relaxing her. Sophie grinned and reached for her coffee. She’d done some great work today—and had a dust-free house and clean clothes.

Right now, she’d take a few minutes to pamper herself and enjoy the feeling of relief and accomplishment. Afterward she’d take a much-needed walk to Main Street and see if she could find a place that sold art supplies. They wouldn’t be open today, but she’d stop in tomorrow to pick up a few things.

Forty minutes later, caffeine flowing through her system, a peanut butter sandwich fortifying her, she opened her e-mail.

Ten new messages. All from Nathan. Her stomach sank.

She read the first.

Shaking her head, she read the rest, one after another, appalled as they escalated from cajoling to whining to explosive anger.

This was nonsense.

She hadn’t led him on. Hadn’t made any promises. Had, in fact, told him very honestly there was nothing there, nothing between them.

He refused to accept that.

Well, she’d call him. Tonight.

Today, though, she’d put him out of her mind. Refused to let him ruin her Sunday. He was in Illinois; she was in Texas. Her pulse skittered and her breathing quickened. He scared her. More than a little.

And that was stupid.

Still, she was glad there was a thousand plus miles separating them. And she wished Ty was here to tell her everything would be okay. To hold her. Just for a minute. And that was probably even stupider.

Heading out for her walk, she concentrated instead on the robin-egg blue sky, the scent of the bread baking next door, and the clean, fresh smell of newly mowed grass. The kids across the street were playing Red Rover and their shouts and laughter filled the late afternoon.

What a beautiful day. December already. The sun, low in the sky, shone through overhead leaves, creating a lace pattern on the sidewalk and warming her.

If she was in Chicago, she’d be fighting her way through slush and snow drifts. She’d flicked on the TV while she dressed and listened as the reporter talked about the storm that had dumped almost a foot on the entire northern section of the country.

She didn’t miss it.

Hadn’t even missed Black Friday.

She turned her head right, then left, taking in the quiet residential neighborhood. No pushing, shoving hordes here. No camping out to buy the latest tech toy. And wasn’t that nice. A slow smile curved her lips.

Halfway down the block, a weak mewling sounded from behind a bush in an empty lot. Sophie stopped, tipped her head toward the sound, and heard it again. A cat…maybe a kitten.

Walking to the shrubbery, she stooped and peered beneath it. Her heart nearly stopped. The cat, its hair matted and dirty, hunkered on the ground, big amber eyes staring out at her. One ear was missing a chunk. Dried blood covered one leg.

“Oh, you poor baby,” Sophie crooned. “What happened to you, sweetheart?”

Ignoring the dirt, she knelt and laid her hand, palm up, as close to the cat as she dared. Still, it backed up slightly.

“I won’t hurt you, honey. Come here. Let me help.”

Unblinking, owlish yellow eyes followed her every movement.

Sophie stayed by the bush, as still as possible. Finally, curiosity got the better of the cat. That or hunger. Inch by inch, crawling on its belly, it drew closer.

“Come on. That’s it,” Sophie encouraged.

With a soft cry, it closed the last bit of distance. Its raspy tongue licked at Sophie’s outstretched palm. “That’s right, baby.” Slowly, she turned her hand to stroke the cat’s head.

She sat on the ground, and the cat, still cautious, lay down beside her. “What happened? You’re a mess, sweetie.”

The cat’s ribs showed, and its paws were cut and bleeding. A ragged gash ran down the length of one leg. Hesitant to pick up the animal, Sophie stood. So did the cat. She turned and took a step toward home. The cat did, too. Since she’d only walked about half a block, she hoped the cat would follow her. Limping slowly, it did, right up the stairs and into the apartment.

Hopefully, it didn’t come accessorized with fleas.

Sophie rooted around and found an old saucer, poured some milk in it, and set it on the floor. The cat looked up at her as if asking permission.

“Go ahead. It’s for you.”

The cat lapped it up while Sophie found Doc Gibson’s number. Even though it was Sunday, she remembered Brawley had mentioned plans to help out with a dog before he headed back to Dallas. Fingers crossed, she dialed. Doc Gibson answered on the second ring. He was at the office and told her to bring the cat in. He’d take a look at her.

Almost as if she understood, the cat allowed herself to be carried to the car. Following the directions the vet had given her, Sophie found the animal clinic. She pulled into a parking space and turned to the cat curled up on her front seat. It eyed her warily.

“You probably won’t like this.” She rubbed the cat’s head. She wasn’t a young thing nor would she win any beauty contests. Still…she was sweet-tempered.

She needed a home.

If Sophie intended to stay in Maverick Junction, she’d keep her. But she couldn’t take her back to Chicago. Her apartment was too small.

She certainly didn’t intend to turn her back out onto the streets, though. No way. And she definitely didn’t plan to take her to the animal shelter, if Maverick Junction even had one. They tried to find homes for all their animals, but, face it, it wasn’t always possible. And she knew in her heart that this lady wouldn’t have a chance at adoption.

Maybe she could keep her for the little while she’d be here and talk Dottie into taking the animal when she headed back to Chicago. Or Annelise and Cash could take her. Staubach would get along with Lilybelle.

Lilybelle. One of the fairies. A perfect name for this beautiful cat. Okay, so maybe she wasn’t beautiful right now, but she would be.

Sophie was certain of it.

She scooped up the cat and carried her into the clinic.

“What do we have here?” Brawley came out from behind the counter.

“Brawley? I figured you’d already left for Dallas.”

He shrugged. “I decided to stay a couple more days. I like working here. It reminds me why I went to veterinarian school.”

“There’s something about the town, isn’t there?” Sophie asked. “Even when you don’t want there to be.”

“Yeah, there is.”

Sophie nodded at the cat. “This is Lilybelle. I found her hiding in a bush.”

“Pleased to meet you, Lilybelle.” Brawley reached out and gently took the cat from her. “Looks like you’ve seen some hard times.”

“Do you think someone abandoned her?”

He studied the cat. “Yep, I do. Looks like she’s a fairly new mama. My guess is somebody didn’t want any more kittens. Rather than spay her, they simply dumped her out.”

“That’s despicable.” The last piece of her heart went out to the poor animal.

“Hard telling what they did with her babies.”

She gasped. “You don’t think they—”

“Yes, Sophie, I do.” He scratched the cat’s head, and her eyes closed. “So, what do you want to do with her?”

“Pardon?”

“What are your plans? We have several options. We can patch her up, get some food in her, and try to find her a home. At her age, I can’t make any promises.”

“What are our other options?”

“You could keep her.”

She shook her head. “My lifestyle really doesn’t—”

“All right. Fair enough. The third option? Euthana—”

“No.” Sophie clapped her hands over the cat’s ears—or what remained of them. “Don’t even say it. Don’t listen, Lilybelle.”

“How do you know that’s her name? If you heard someone call her that, maybe we can track down the owners.”

“No.” She shrugged. “She just looks like a Lilybelle.”

“Humph.” He studied the cat. “Okay. Well, to be honest, Lilybelle needs a lot of work. She’s pretty beat up.”

Sophie bit her lip. Lots of work meant lots of money. Money she really didn’t have. The cat licked her hand again, and Sophie glanced down into those warm, amber eyes.

Oh, heck.

“Do what you need to do. And spay her. When can I take her home?”

He grinned. “Tomorrow.”

“I’m going to hate myself.”

“No, you won’t. You’ve gained a friend for life. This cat will be devoted to you for the rest of hers.”

Sophie groaned. “I must be crazy. I swear it’s the air here.”

“You won’t regret this.”

“Easy for you to say.” When Brawley carried the cat into one of the smaller rooms, she followed.

“Your folks live in Boston, Sophie?”

“Yes.”