Texas CHAOS (Texas Heroes Book 2) (2 page)

As he began to fill in the blanks, Logan knew he’d have no problem selling the idea to his folks. As for what people would say or think, he’d handle it. “I’ll deal. Her future is more important than whatever people’s small minds can conjure up.”

“All right, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. Just make sure you keep yourself above reproach. An unmarried man of your age in charge of a girl in her teens is gossip fodder.”

“I’m used to fighting fires, bring it on.”

Myra raised a brow at the handsome hunk who seemed so determined to become a knight in shining armor. “All right, but don’t say I didn’t warn

CHAPTER TWO

Present Day

“Logan’s here, Jenna!” Louisa Gray called up the stairs. “Hurry, he has a surprise for you.”

“Be right down.” Jenna yelled from her bedroom as she scrambled around, changing clothes, brushing her hair and putting on lipstick. “He’s here, he’s here, he’s here,” she whispered, dancing around. Nothing brightened her day more than when Logan came around.

For the last two years, Gray Wolf Ranch had been her home. Losing her parents was harder than she’d ever dreamed, but the Grays had done everything in their power to give her a good life. And no young girl could ask for a more loving environment. Logan and his parents welcomed her. She’d immersed herself in their lifestyle, learning the ropes of rodeoing and helping run the guest ranch. Stonewall wasn’t a big place, but it was friendly. The people had opened their arms to her. She was a part of the community now – and if Jenna had her way, she always would be.

Gray Wolf kept the whole family busy. As a guest ranch, they hosted families who wanted a taste of ranch life and still be taken care of and entertained. Her days here were so different than they’d been with her parents. While she’d loved them dearly, her folks had been professionals who had little time for a daughter. Louisa and Earl opened their hearts as well as their home, teaching her everything they could. Jenna had taken to things like a duck to water. She could bake, make homemade ice cream, Jenna could even drive a tractor. To an outside observer, people would think she was just trying to fit in. But it was much more. Jenna was striving to be a part of Logan’s world. The only world she ever wanted to live in.

And speaking of Logan...Jenna shivered, hugging herself. “He's a helluva man.” She bit her lower lip and smiled to herself. Unlike anyone she’d ever known, he was self-assured, confident, and compassionate. He was also powerful, handsome and sexier than any man had a right to be. Logan not only looked after her and his parents, he raised cattle and horses and was one of the biggest stock suppliers to rodeos in the state. He was also the Fire Chief of the local rural volunteer fire department. In other words, he wasn’t around nearly as much as Jenna would like him to be. If it were up to her, she would spend every moment she could with Logan. But he was busy. He lived on Gray Wolf, but not in the main house. Logan stayed in the former foreman’s cabin located about a half mile down the road. He always said that he needed to be closer to the stock, but Jenna knew he was a man who valued his privacy. If he ever entertained women there, she never knew it. And it would’ve killed her if she had.

Why?

Because Logan Gray belonged to her.

He just didn’t know it yet. 

“Where’s my perfume?” She ran in the bathroom and started opening one drawer after another. “Here it is.” Soon a cloud of scent enveloped her and she grabbed her shoes and ran out with a laugh of pure joy on her lips. “Logan!”

Outside, Earl stood beside his son, smiling indulgently. “You’re spoiling her, you know.”

“Yea, I know.” He didn’t try to analyze his motives. Logan didn’t have to. The only motive on his mind was to make Jenna happy. “She deserves it. How many guests do we have coming in this weekend?”

“Six. Two couples, and a pair of brothers meeting here while one of them is on leave from Iraq.” Earl shoved his hands in his pocket. “Remember, the rodeo is tonight. You’re planning on being here, aren’t you?” He lowered his voice as if he was offering Logan a bribe. “Jenna’s going to be riding.”

Logan shook his head. “You know I'm not gung-ho about her trick riding. I think it's too risky.”

“Ah, but she loves it. Just like your mama. Besides, today is a special day.”

The thought made Logan smile. “Today is her eighteenth birthday. Do you think I’d be anywhere else?”

His dad didn’t get a chance to answer because the front door slammed and they both looked up to see Jenna flying down the stairs. “Logan! You’re here!”

He opened his arms and caught her. Holding her was like trying to capture a will o’ the wisp. She was sweetly solid in his arms, but her spirit was effervescent. No longer was she sad, she’d put the tragedy of her parents’ death and the loss of her home behind her – he’d made damned certain of that. “Where else would I be?” He held her for just one more second, that’s all he allowed himself. Logan had to keep his feelings in check. Jenna had grown from a lovely young girl into a very desirable woman.

But she wasn’t for him.

“Will you stay? I made a cake.” Her smile was so bright it rivaled the sun.

“What are you doing making your own birthday cake?” Logan asked, waiting to see how long it would take her to notice what they were standing beside.

“I made it for you.” Jenna never even considered hiding her feelings from Logan. Why should she? She loved him completely. Unconditionally. He’d not only saved her life, he’d given her a reason to live.

“For me?” He tried not to stare at her. She was so beautiful to him. Her hair was long, dark and silky. Those ever-changing eyes sparkled with wonder, so big and full of love that he wanted to drown in them. And her body… Jenna was small, but delectable. She was a woman, fully grown, so feminine he ached to touch her, taste her. Logan tried not to notice, but he’d memorized the exquisite shape of her breasts. They would fill his hands to perfection and he’d fantasized how he’d cup them, caress them – how her nipples would melt in his mouth.
Fuck
! 

“It’s chocolate…” she teased, as if he might need further incentive to spend time with her.

“Oh, well, if it’s chocolate,” he muttered, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow. “I’ll think about it. How’s Stormy?”

“She’s wonderful.” Jenna stood on her tiptoes. Her whole body yearned to be closer, she had to physically brace herself to keep from pressing against him. “We’ve been working on the hippodrome and the back drag. I think you’ll be proud.”

Logan didn’t doubt it. Frankly, sometimes she scared him to death. But she was one of the most talented riders he’d ever seen. Would he ever get over this fierce need to protect her? “I know I will be.” Seeing his mother approaching, he knew it was time to give Jenna his gift. Earl moved over to join his wife, leaving Logan and Jenna alone – almost. “So, what does an eighteen-year-old want for her birthday?”

Jenna held his gaze, giving him a mysterious womanly smile. “Oh, I know exactly what I want.”

Logan took her comment to mean she was aware of what sat close enough to touch. “Good. A woman who knows her own mind.” He held up a key and dangled in front of her. “Happy Birthday, Jenna.”

For a second or two she stared at the key with seeming incomprehension. His beautiful smile told her more than anything else. He was proud of himself. As always, she’d only had eyes for him. It was only when he glanced back over his shoulder that she finally saw the white Ford pickup parked in the driveway. “Logan? For me?” Her gasp was genuine and full of thrilled shock.

“Yes, you graduated in May and I told you I’d give you a special gift for your birthday. You can take it to college this fall. It's heavy enough to pull your horse trailer if you have to take Stormy to the vet or anything. But you can’t drive fast and I don’t want you taking any risks…”

She didn’t let him finish, her emotions and the excitement of the moment gave her the courage to take what she really wanted – a kiss. Stepping right into his space, she clasped Logan around the neck, pushed her body flush to his and covered his lips with hers.

Shocked, Logan floundered. The object of his forbidden desire was bringing to life every fantasy he’d entertained in the dark of night. His hands raised to embrace her, then fell to his side. He was afraid if he clasped her to him, he’d never have the strength to let her go. Her sweet mouth was caressing his, her lips clinging, her little tongue darting out to tease and tempt. Unable to resist, for just a second, he gave in and kissed her back. Hungrily. Voraciously. Mouth wide open – consuming - kissing her as if his life depended on it. If moments could last forever, he’d preserve this one in amber for eternity.

Only his father clearing his throat brought Logan to his senses. With great reluctance, he gently set her aside.

She still had her eyes closed when they parted, and when she slowly opened them, the same hope shown out of them he’d seen the day he brought her to live with them.

“Logan?” she asked in a soft voice. She wanted, no, she needed to know what he was thinking. That kiss – that kiss had been the culmination of two years of aching and longing. Licking her lips, she sought to preserve the amazing feeling. The man she loved had just turned her world upside down.

He didn’t know what to say, his heart was like a jackhammer in his chest. Every fiber of his being wanted to grab her back into his arms and continue that kiss. Dry-scrubbing his face, Logan fought to keep his hands to himself. Misdirection was his friend. “Aren’t you going to take your new truck for a ride?”

Earl and Louisa walked up at that moment and Logan didn’t know if they were coming to his rescue or Jenna’s. He was hesitant to look them in the face. What must they think? He’d spent the last two years being explicitly careful not to let his feelings for Jenna show. Now that he knew she was legal, his body seemed to have a mind of its own. To keep his growing desire under control, he’d need to limit their time together. Logan was determined not to soil or taint what they all shared. But he hadn’t initiated this kiss. She had.

“Please.” She took the key he offered, leaned in for one more fast kiss, which Logan didn’t have time to dodge, then grabbed his mother by the arm. “Ride with me, Lou.”

As the women in their life pulled out of the driveway and headed down the ranch road, Logan placed his hand to his lips.

“What was all that about?” Earl drawled with a smirk on his handsome face lined by years of gazing into the sun and smiling at life.

“I…I don’t know, Dad.” Logan muttered. “It won’t happen again, I’ll see to that.”

“Frankly, son, I’ve been expecting it. She’s worshiped the ground you walk on from the moment you brought her home.

“She’s just a kid, Dad.” Logan said the words, all the time trying to convince himself they were true.

“I suspect you might need glasses.” As they stared down the road, they could see the pickup turn around in a cloud of dust and head back toward the gate. “Let’s go hide in the house,” Earl suggested.

Logan nodded. “Good idea.” He needed time to think.

Once inside, the men made themselves useful by getting down plates for cake. Laughter and excited voices heralded Jenna and Louisa’s return. Earl took out his lighter and lit the eighteen candles atop the dark chocolate cake.

Jenna came into the room, her bright eyes immediately seeking out Logan. “It drives like a dream, thank you.”

As if she couldn't stay away, she came to him, giving him a hug that tore at his heart. How was he going to survive this? “You're welcome, honey. I'm glad you like it.”

Louisa opened a cabinet door and drew out a gaily wrapped box. “This is from me and Earl.”

Turning to the woman who had come to mean the world to her, Jenna took the package, her face alight with excitement. Ripping into the paper, she found a fancy cell phone with all the bells and whistles. “Thank you!” She hugged them both. “I love you.”

“We love you too, baby.” Earl gave Jenna a kiss on the cheek, while the look he gave Logan spoke volumes.

“And we expect phone calls anytime you go off somewhere in that brand new truck.” Louisa placed a protective hand on her shoulder. Stuffing his hands in his pocket, Earl viewed Jenna with indulgence.

Jenna looked from one to the other of them. “I will never be able to repay all of you for everything you’ve done for me.” She didn’t come hug Logan again, but she did give him a smile that made his heart swell. Holding his gaze, she spoke directly to him. “But I will spend a lifetime trying.”

“Time to make a wish, pretty girl,” Earl put an arm around Jenna’s shoulder.

Seeing their expectant faces, she closed her eyes, held her hair and bent to blow out the eighteen tiny flames. Louisa and Earl clapped, then got busy gathering forks and pouring big glasses of milk.

Logan stared, eating her up with his eyes. Not touching her was so hard. Clearing his throat, he tried to make polite conversation. “What did you wish for?” he asked, expecting a list of clothes, music or tech gifts, something normal for a female her age.

She didn't answer right away. Instead she gave him a smile as old as Eden, stepped up and whispered for his ears only. “You, Logan. I wished for you.”

* * *

A few hours later, Logan was standing at the fence, surveying the crowd that had gathered for the monthly Gray Wolf Rodeo. He’d made himself scarce since the small birthday party, excusing himself to check out a group of young bulls scheduled to be shipped to North Texas. Honestly, Jenna had thrown him for a loop. When she’d told him her wish, he’d almost went to his knees. She’d never know how much he wanted her. But it was wrong. He was too old for her – way too old. It was up to him to be strong. Plus, he might have misinterpreted what she’d said.
You. I wished for you
.

What had she meant? Could she really want him? Maybe she’d meant she was making a wish on his behalf. Yea, that was probably it. But what about the kiss? Logan was no virgin. He was discrete, but he loved sex. And that kiss was the single most erotic thing in his life thus far. The memory of it made him groan.