The Texan's Christmas (9 page)

As they went out the door, Ollie eased out, too. On the porch, Kid said, “I’m not trying to butt into your life. I’m just worried you’re in some sort of danger.”

“Kid, you have no right to worry about me. I haven’t seen you in years.”

“That’s my fault.”

“Please.” She held up a hand to stop him. “We can’t keep stepping back into the past. It’s too painful. I
really loved you, but the sad truth is you didn’t love me enough.”

“Lucky…”

An old blue Ford inched up the lane, interrupting him.

“You’ve got company.”

“It’s Mrs. Grisley.” She hoped the woman was coming to see her dad and not to complain about Bubba Joe working too hard. She was about to mother the poor man to death.

“Bubba Joe’s mom? I haven’t seen her since I left for the university.”

“You haven’t missed a thing.” She forced herself not to smile.

A tall big-boned woman got out of the car with a huge purse on her arm.

“What the hell is that on her head?” Kid asked. “It looks like a dead raccoon.”

“It’s a wig. Don’t mention it.” Again, she had to suppress a grin.

“Lucky, I want to talk to you.” Wilma stomped up the steps. “Thelma Lou is messing with Bubba Joe’s head. You need to fire her.”

“Messing?” Lucky had no idea what the woman was talking about.

“She’s always asking him over to fix stuff and he takes her home after she works at The Joint. She has a husband somewhere and four wild kids. My boy doesn’t need to get mixed up with that.”

“Wilma, I have no control over Bubba Joe or Thelma Lou.”

“Ah, you’re no help. Where’s Bud? He’ll make you see reason.”

“In the house.” Lucky stepped away from the door.

Wilma finally noticed Kid. “Who are you?”

He held out his hand. “Kid Hardin, ma’am.”

“My, my.” Wilma shook his hand. “You were always getting my boy into trouble.”

“Now, ma’am—” he smiled that silly grin “—that’s a slight exaggeration. Kids were always picking on Bubba and I tried to help him. Yeah, it ended in a fight, but we didn’t take any crap, either.”

Wilma pointed a finger at him. “Leave my boy alone. He’s all I got.” She yanked open the door and stomped inside.

“Poor Bubba,” Kid muttered, and then looked at her. The mirth she’d been holding inside could no longer be stifled. Laughter bubbled from her throat and she held a hand over her mouth.

Their eyes met and at the gleam in his the amusement turned serious. She ran a hand through her short hair, searching for words that had to be said.

At that moment Ollie leaped for Kid’s hat and took off for the barn.

“Come back here!” she shouted, and jumped off the porch to catch the dog. She could hear Kid’s boots pounding behind her. When she entered the barn, Ollie lay in a pile of loose hay, chewing on the Stetson. “Give me that hat.” Ollie darted around the hay and she fol
lowed on the right. Kid headed the dog off on the left. They both jumped for him at the same time. Bumping into each other, they fell backward into the hay. Ollie dashed away.

Kid rolled on top of her, looking into her eyes. His brown hair was tousled over his forehead, his eyes dark and warm. The handsome face in her dreams was right there—a breath away.

Move, Lucky. Move.

But she couldn’t make her body obey.

He stroked her hair. “Lucky.”

The moment he said her name she was lost.

His head bent and she met his kiss with a fire she remembered well. It had been so long. Their lips and tongues renewed a familiar hunger that enclosed her in a world where only he existed. Her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer and closer. He moaned, pushing her into the hay. Twenty years came full circle as she embraced the passion of two teenagers who were now adults. The emotions were still there. Driving. Forceful. He yanked her blouse from her jeans and she ripped open his shirt, her hands caressing the firm muscles of his back.

She’d forgotten how good he felt. How good he tasted.

His lips trailed to her cheek, her jaw, and she arched her neck from the sheer pleasure. Hot kisses blazed a path to her breasts and all conscious thought left her. Maybe they were always going to be eighteen, like he’d said.

“Lucky,” he groaned against a breast and then took her lips once more.

When the world started to spin away, he suddenly broke the kiss and rolled away, taking deep breaths. It took her a moment to gather her pride and then she pulled her blouse over her aching breasts.

He stood, brushing hay from his clothes.

She sat up, wishing she could crawl away and hide. He’d exposed all her vulnerabilities and she wanted to say something to regain a measure of control, but even she knew it was too late for that.

His darkened eyes held hers. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s…it’s okay.”

He buttoned his shirt with quick, sure movements. “Back then…I did love you…enough. I just wasn’t man enough to accept it.”

K
ID TURNED OUT OF THE
Littlefield lane and had to stop. He switched the air-conditioning to full blast, letting it cool his heated emotions. All these years he’d been looking for Lucky in every woman he’d met. He knew it the moment his lips touched hers and he also knew if he went any further she would never forgive him. He’d used up all of his get-out-of-jail-forgive-me cards.

Resting his head on the steering wheel he took another deep breath. It was uncanny how he remembered the curves of her body, the smoothness of her skin, the smell of her hair. The last thing he wanted to do was stop kissing Lucky. The old Kid wouldn’t have thought twice about it. The new Kid, the one who had a son buried on the hill, knew he couldn’t do that to Lucky—have sex like two hot-blooded teenagers. She’d hate herself and then she’d hate him all over again. It was the right decision. He wished his body understood that.

He pulled onto the road, planning to go to Aunt Etta’s and change into shorts and a T-shirt. Then he’d try to outrun his frustrations. Before he reached the High Five ranch, he noticed a lot of trucks at Chance’s. Something had happened. His gut twisted in a familiar sickening way—the same as it had the night his parents had died.

Jumping out of his truck, he saw Chance and his stomach eased somewhat. He was okay. What about the rest of the family?

Walker, Judd, Cooper Yates and a man Kid didn’t know stood by Chance talking.

“What’s going on?” he asked.

“Someone stole my damn cows,” Chance replied. “When I left this morning, I didn’t notice them so later I called Shay to check when she got home to see if they had come up to the barn. They hadn’t. She got on her horse to look for them and found the cut fence.”

“This is getting serious,” Judd said. “And I want something done. Now!” He directed his words to the stranger.

“This is Travis Coffman, a special ranger with Texas Southwest Cattle Raisers Association.” Chance made the introductions. “This is my brother Kid Hardin.”

They shook hands but the ranger’s attention was on Judd. “We’re doing everything we can. All law enforcement agencies have been notified. Brands have been run through our Fort Worth database. We keep a constant check on auctions barns to see if the cattle have been sold. I’m running down every lead. Nothing pans out. These are some crafty criminals and they’re getting bolder.”

Kid stared at the man. He looked familiar and then it clicked. The night Lucky had told him about the baby it had hit him like a ton of bricks and he’d sat in the gravel at The Beer Joint for a while. Travis had stopped to ask
if he was okay. He didn’t remember much after that but Travis’s face was clear in his mind.

What had he been doing there at that time?

“Rest assured these criminals will be caught. We have undercover people on the job and someone is going to slip up.”

Undercover?

Before Kid could mull it over, Walker’s cell beeped. He glanced at a message. “I’ve got a domestic violence call. I have to go. Why don’t we meet at The Beer Joint tonight to discuss this further? A lot of ranchers go in there and they need to be aware and on guard.”

“Sounds good.” Judd nodded. “I’ll be there about seven.”

“I’ll be there, too,” Cooper added. “Then I’m going to sleep with my cows because I can’t afford to take a hit of losing any.”

“Get the cameras up as soon as you can,” Travis urged, and the men walked to their trucks.

“I can’t believe this.” Chance swiped a hand across his brow. “This is High Cotton. What the hell is the world coming to?”

Kid wondered that, too. The country town was a safe place to live and raise a family. He thought about Jessie’s door always being open.

“Is Cadde worried about Jessie?”

“Why?” Chance looked confused.

“She never locks her door.”

“They don’t hit houses. These are cattle rustlers.”

“Still…I can check on her if Cadde wants me to. I’m around.”

Chance stared at him.

“What?”

“You’re around. That doesn’t sound like you. Isn’t there a party going on somewhere? Isn’t there a woman or two waiting for you in Houston?”

The words hit Kid like a blow, but he knew Chance spoke the truth. Over the years he’d lost himself in parties and with women. But the biggest part of him, the part that mattered, he’d left right here in High Cotton…with Lucky. She had his heart. He knew that beyond a shadow of a doubt.

“I’ve been a real bastard, haven’t I?”

“Nah. You’re just Kid.”

He thought about that for a minute. In his twenties that explanation was acceptable. Facing forty, it wasn’t. “I told you I’ve grown up. I’m responsible. Levelheaded. And if you laugh I’m going to…hug you.”

Chance laughed anyway. “I don’t think you can pull that off.”

Kid shot him the finger with a grin.

Just to ease his mind he drove to Cadde’s. Someone had broken in on Jessie when they’d lived out of Houston and he didn’t want her to be afraid. He’d play with Jacob—that always made him feel better.

He lay on the floor while Jacob crawled all over him. Jessie was busy going through baby clothes to see what she could use for the new arrival.

His cell beeped and he saw he had a message. It was
from Cadde. Two words: “stay there.” He hung around so long he knew Jessie was getting suspicious. Fortunately, Cadde came home early and she didn’t have to kick him out. He knew his brother would explain and arrange for Rosa to be there during the day until the no-good thieves were caught.

While he had supper with his aunt and uncle, they looked at him suspiciously, too. He was never around this long. They might have to get used to it.

Cattle rustling was the topic of conversation. Uncle Ru and Cooper were going to take turns watching the cattle. His uncle was too old to take night duty and Kid thought he’d help out. He’d love to come face-to-face with the low-down bastards who were wreaking havoc on his hometown.

L
UCKY SPENT A LOT OF THE DAY
on the phone with Travis. He gave her the heads-up about the meeting at The Joint tonight. She was still reeling from the rustlers hitting another place so soon. Chance was a nice person and liked by everyone. She didn’t understand it.

“I think we might be after the wrong people,” Travis said. “The cowboys should have let something slip by now.”

“They apologized for scaring me, but they haven’t said anything about being arrested. They’ve been very cordial.”

“We’re missing something, Lucky.”

“I feel that, too. Someone knows this area very well and it’s like they’re choosing certain places.”

“I’ll check the auction barns again tomorrow. Other than that we wait for them to make a mistake.”

“Notifying everyone is a good idea.”

“Yeah. I’ll see you tonight.”

She ended the call and stared toward the cemetery.

Kid.

She could barely keep cattle rustling on her mind for thinking about him. How could she give in so easily? One look, one touch and she was right back where she’d started—giving in—to Kid. She got up and went to the only place that gave her comfort—her son’s grave.

Kneeling, she said, “I’m sorry, baby. I swore I’d never forgive your father for what he did to us, but today I felt like that young girl whose whole life was worthwhile because he was in it. I know that’s crazy and I have to admit to you I don’t think I’m ever going to get over him. That first love is so hard to forget, but I will be stronger for both of us.”

She hurried down the hill and found her dad on the porch.

“Girl, you visit that grave too much. You have to let go.”

She sank onto the stoop. “He’s my son. I will always visit him.”

“Mmm. Why did you let that old bat into the house?”

“Wilma? She wanted to talk to you.”

“She yammers on and on about Bubba Joe. Someone needs to hit her with a stun gun.”

“I’m not on her side, but Bubba is getting himself into a sticky situation. Thelma’s husband’s been gone
for about a year. He sends money every now and then but Thelma’s barely getting by with food stamps. I guess she’s lonely. Bubba is, too.”

“Now, Thelma, she’s got an edge that’ll cut through a T-bone steak. Bubba doesn’t need another domineering woman in his life.”

She stood. “I’m staying out of it.”

“That’s my motto, too, so don’t let that old bat in the house anymore.”

“You talk to her on the phone. I don’t see a difference.”

“I can hang up a phone but in person Wilma doesn’t have an off switch.”

She kissed his cheek. “I think you protest too much.”

“Humph.”

“I’m going to work. Need anything?”

“Nah. I saw the lease papers on the table.”

“Yeah. That’s what Kid wanted to talk about.”

“You sound disappointed.”

Was she? She had so many regrets concerning Kid that he had a special storage place in her brain. But she was almost certain that getting him out of her life was paramount for her sanity.

“I read the lease. It’s a good deal.”

She bit her lip. “I don’t plan on looking at it.”

Her dad twisted his neck to look at her. “Now, that’s just crazy.”

“I offered to sign it if he’d go back to Houston and leave me alone.”

“And he refused?”

“Yes.”

“That’s just guilt talking. He’ll soon tire of this cat and mouse game and hit the road like he always does. There’s money on the table, girl, and when that happens you never walk away. Besides, it will enable you to quit your other job and concentrate on a life for a change.”

She opened the door, knowing it was useless to talk to him. Her dad gave new meaning to the word
grouchy
.

Inside she stared at the lease on the table. She’d gotten past her pigheadedness in not signing or talking about the lease the first time Kid had approached her. It was the main reason he was in High Cotton. If she’d used her head and not reacted out of years of resentment, Kid would no longer be a problem. Now he was a huge one jeopardizing everything she’d worked for in the past few months. But like her father had said, he would soon tire. She was counting on it.

L
UCKY WENT TO WORK EARLY
because she knew there would be a big crowd tonight. She’d called Thelma Lou to help out. By seven the place was packed with angry ranchers wanting answers. Judd, Walker and Cooper came in with their wives, Cait, Maddie and Sky. Chance and Shay squeezed in at their table, as did Travis.

Wilma sat on the end bar stool, sucking on a Coors, oblivious to what was going on around her. Her beady little eyes were pinned on Thelma Lou, but Lucky didn’t have time to deal with that situation. More people were coming in and since there was no seating left they leaned against the wall.

“Damn, Lucky, we’re gonna run out of beer,” Bubba Joe said.

“The cooler in the back is full,” she replied above the chatter.

“I’ll transfer some,” Thelma Lou offered, but stopped by Bubba first. “Tell your mom to go home. She’s gettin’ on my nerves.”

“She doesn’t listen to me. Just let her be.”

“Bitch,” Thelma Lou muttered under her breath as she headed for the storeroom.

Lucky and Bubba kept serving beer. Suddenly, Travis got to his feet and everyone quieted down. He introduced himself and went into his speech about security, safety and how knowledge is the best weapon against thieves. He went on to say to report any suspicious behavior or strangers around their property and then handed out his card.

Questions followed and sometimes things got heated when Travis didn’t have any answers.

“You mentioned undercover agents. Are there any in High Cotton?”

Kid.
Lucky almost dropped the beers she was carrying. How did he get in here without her seeing him? Why was he asking questions? He didn’t own a cow.

“Mr. Hardin, I can’t divulge that kind of information. But rest assured we have a lot of hardworking people on the case.”

Lucky noticed Kid had wedged a chair between Cait and Sky. Naturally he’d want to sit with the women.

“Where can we buy the infrared digital cameras?” Tyler Jakes asked.

“Nell at Walker’s is getting a shipment in tomorrow and most sporting goods stores have them.”

There were a few more questions and then men began to leave. Now there was some breathing room. Travis made his way to the door and was careful not to look her way. Most of the patrons called it a night except the Belle sisters, their husbands and two of the Hardin boys and Chance’s wife.

As Lucky made her way to the bar, Wilma asked, “What was that man talking about?” Sometimes Wilma didn’t hear too well. If it didn’t concern Bubba, she tuned it out.

“Cattle rustling,” she told her.

“What? Where?”

“In High Cotton and surrounding towns.”

“Nah. Can’t be.” She shook her head and Lucky was afraid the atrocious wig would fall off. “Bubba’s not going to get hurt, is he?”

Lucky wiped the bar. “No. He doesn’t own any cows.”

“My boy’s a fragile soul.” Wilma took a swig from the bottle. “No one understands that. He needs his momma.”

Wilma was hard enough to deal with when she was sober, but drunk put it into another realm of insanity.

“Hey, everybody, it’s time for some fun.” Kid headed for the jukebox.

“Nobody’s in the mood,” Chance told him.

But Kid wasn’t listening. “Bubba, how do you make this thing work?”

“Just hit it,” Bubba shouted. “The records haven’t been changed in years and it only has old country songs.”

“No problem.” Kid whacked the side with a hand and “Born to Boogie” by Hank Williams Jr. came on. “Hot damn, Caitlyn, that’s our song.”

“My wife doesn’t feel like dancing,” Judd said in a stern voice.

“Excuse me.” Cait got to her feet with a whole lot of attitude directed at her husband.

Kid whirled her onto the small place in front of the jukebox.

“I knew that was the wrong thing to say, but it just slipped out.” Judd took a swallow of his beer and watched his wife and Kid. Their fast steps matched as they danced, laughing. Kid twirled Cait round and round until she landed in Judd’s lap.