Between Hope & the Highway (36 page)

I lifted my gloved hand to her cheek. “You’re the best.” The girl still hadn’t let me kiss her, but somehow she still had me wrapped around her finger. It killed me to lie to her. “I’d love to take you, babe, but it’ll be dirty work.”

She tilted her head. “I’m not afraid of a little dirt. Besides, I can keep you company.”

Guilt gnawed at me, making it impossible to even throw out a joke. My night with my girl had been shattered by one guy’s carelessness.

“We’ll be out late. I don’t want you tired for mucking in the morning.” I leaned down to kiss her brow. “Let me walk you inside.” I trudged slowly, bummed at missing out on my night with her. At the door, I squeezed her hand. “Sorry.” Oh, if only she knew how I longed to hold her and feel the peace only she made me feel. It was a big reason why I put up with her insane dating rules. No other girl would’ve made that torture worthwhile; but Lizzie had enough other positives that I could overlook her asinine boundaries.

“Don’t be. I think you’re amazing to help out after already working a full day.” She hugged me.

“I’ll make it up to you. I will.” Blowing her a kiss, I turned away, feeling like a snake.

Chance wore a wary look as I approached. Since Liz still stood on the porch, I gave him a clenched teeth smile. “Let’s go.”

“Drive safe,” Lizzie called.

Jumping into my truck, I waved at her and started the engine while Chance climbed inside. As I pulled away, I pounded the wheel.

Why couldn’t life cut me a break?

Chapter 61

Liz

“Thanks for the ice cream…and talking.”

I almost laughed as the tough seventeen-year-old blushed. With his piercings and tattoos, Chaz came across as a scary gang banger; yet as I’d gotten to know him during the last three SADD meetings, I’d come to discover a vulnerable boy who desperately wanted attention. Not receiving any in his dysfunctional home, he sought it from a gang until the Sheriff busted him for theft and a judge ordered him to attend Garret’s class.

I wrapped my arms around the gangly youth. “You’re awesome, Chaz. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. I expect you to ace that math test tomorrow. Text me when you find out your score.”

He squeezed me. “I will.”

“And if you need to talk, I always have my cell.” I wanted to do all I could to support him. The kid had the odds stacked against him.

Chaz pulled back with a crooked smile. “You’re the best, Lizzie.”

“That she is.” Garret sent me a wink as he clapped Chaz’s shoulder and walked him to the exit. “Now remember what we talked about. Start being a leader. See if you can bring a friend or two to our next meeting.”

I smiled. Garret never took off his recruiting hat.

After saying goodbye, Garret helped me into his truck and shivered. “Brrrr. It’s cold enough to freeze the balls off a pool table.”

I laughed.

He took hold of the steering wheel. “I have high hopes for that kid, and it’s all because of you.”

“You’re his mentor.”

“I’ve done my best, but guys are guys, and a pretty girl always motivates more than good will. Chaz is halfway in love and would do anything for you, darlin’.”

“Whatever.”

Snowflakes fell against the windshield, melting and being swiped away by the rhythmic beat of wiper blades. I stared out the window, hypnotized by the swirling white vortex. It reminded me of hyperdrive on
Star Wars…
which made me think of Rawson. Five weeks had passed since I’d technically become his girl. Thinking of him made my body buzz.

“You’re smiling like a goat in a briar patch.”

Garret’s teasing pulled me from La-la land. I hugged myself.

“Please tell me you’re not thinking of that no-good account that thinks he’s your boyfriend.”

“He is my boyfriend,” I said defensively.

“He’s more slippery than snot on a glass doorknob.”

“I wish you two would try to get along. Rawson’s a great guy.”

He clenched his jaw. “I can’t tolerate how he’s using you.”

“He’s not using me.”

“Yes, he is, and all the hands know it. You’re just too blinded by his pretty face to see the truth.”

I scowled.

“Believe me, darlin,’ the last thing I want to do is hurt you, but that’s exactly what’s going to happen if you keep being that man’s ranch fling.”

His words unlocked a vault of doubts.

“I ran into him last Saturday in town,” he said quietly. “He was with his friend. Did you know that?”

No. Rawson had told me he was going with Chance to help Abe. Recalling how he’d rebuffed each of my attempts to join him made moisture sting the back of my eyelids. I blinked hard, not wanting to reveal my spiraling emotions to Garret.

“Yeah, he told me,” I lied.

“And you’re okay with that?”

“I’m not about to smother him, if that’s what you’re asking. I’m confident enough in our relationship to allow him time with the guys.”

“And does time with the guys include flirting with other women?”

He might as well have punched me in the gut. My eyes widened.

Garret’s expression turned smug. “I didn’t think so. Be careful with your heart, darlin’. Guys like Rawson Law will shred it like pork at a barbecue.”

He didn’t say anymore. He didn’t need to. My mind chided me more than all my nosy aunts put together, and I wondered if maybe I was too naive and gullible when it came to my boyfriend.

Chapter 62

Bentley

My bowl of popcorn tipped precariously on my lap as the movie played, but I didn’t dare stabilize it or I might alert Rawson and Liz that I’d awakened. Rawson’s eyes were closed; he’d dozed like me. Didn’t blame him. Working cattle was rough. When his eyes fluttered open, he yawned and stretched.

“You’re awake,” Liz said.

“Sorry,” he mumbled. “I’m exhausted.”

She pursed her lips.

“What’s that look for?”

“I didn’t give you a look.”

He reached up to caress her face, but she jerked away and eyed me. I feigned sleep.

Rawson chuckled. “Don’t worry about Benny. The kid’s out. Besides, even if he wasn’t, it’s not like we’re making out…although I’m totally open to changing that.”

“Shush. I’m not kissing you.”

“I was afraid you’d say that,” he muttered.

When they didn’t speak, I peeked. Liz appeared upset as she stared at the television. Rawson didn’t seem much happier. I shut my eyes and wondered why grown-ups made things so difficult. They should be happy as clams, but they’d acted stiff with each other during supper, and now they were with each other, but not really with each other, if that made sense.

Lizzie broke the silence. “Rawson?”

“Yeah, babe.”

“Are you tired of me yet?”

Through sliver vision, I saw him turn to her with his mouth open. “Never.”

“Even though I won’t kiss you.”

“I won’t lie and say that doesn’t matter, because truthfully, it’s all I can think about, but I’m willing to wait until you’re ready. You’re my world, Lizzie.”

His words were smooth as a chocolate silk pie, even if they came off sounding sappy like syrup. Lizzie’s worried expression didn’t melt into a clear smile as I expected though. She frowned.

“Maybe we should take a break from each other.”

“That’s the stupidest idea ever.”

“It’s just that you’re with the cows—I mean cattle—so often that being a couple seems senseless. This is only the second time we’ve been together in the last twenty-six days.”

“Mmmm. The fact that you’re counting proves you want me.”

“Serious.” She straightened and gave him an icy look. “I know you get into town between seeing me and probably meet girls.”

My brother scowled. “I thought I made it clear that I wasn’t interested in dating anyone but you. Is this about you wanting to date Garret?”

“No,” she practically hissed. She released a heavy sigh and shrugged. “Maybe. I don’t know.”

Her expression clearly showed distaste, but Rawson didn’t catch that facial revelation since he scowled at the ceiling.

“What do you want, Liz?”

She kneaded her forehead. “Some of the hands saw you in town with another woman. They’re calling me your ranch fling now.”

“Who’s calling you that?”

She frowned. “I know I’ve made life difficult by not kissing you, but if you say we’re exclusive, that’s what I expect. I don’t want to hear from others that you’re messing around with a bar maid behind my back.”

A tear worked its way out of her eye. Rawson gently caught it as he took her face in his hands.

“Sweetheart, someone’s twisted the truth to hurt you. I did go to town. Damon took off and Chance and I found him at a bar. I tried hooking him up with a chick there to get his mind off drugs, and her pushy friend got handsy with me. If someone saw that, they could have misconstrued the whole scene. I swear though…nothing happened.”

More tears fell.

From the tortured expression on my brother’s face, those killed him. He wrapped an arm around her. “Please, believe me. I only like you. Hell, I think I love you.”

Her eyes widened. So did mine. Thankfully, they were too involved in their conversation to notice.

“I mean heck, dammmnang it.”

My lips twitched. That he even tried to control his language around Liz proved he really liked her.

She laughed. “Dammmnang it is right.”

He rubbed noses like an Eskimo. “I do, you know?”

She pushed him away. “Let’s not go there.”

“If you’d let me kiss you, you’d never doubt me again.” He pulled her onto his lap. “I’m serious as a heart attack, Lizzie. You’re the only girl for me.”

She pushed a lock of hair off his forehead. “I don’t like you going to bars. Could you not go there anymore? For me?”

His brow furrowed, but he shrugged and pinched her chin. “If you’ll kiss me, I’ll promise anything.” When she didn’t respond, he prodded her. “Well?”

I didn’t dare move as she glanced my way. Hopefully, shadows made it hard to discern my slivered eyes.

“I guess.”

He traced the contours of her face. “Don’t sound so excited.”

She played with his hair. “But not tonight. Your father’s worked you to the bone and you need your sleep.”

“I don’t want to leave. You’re all I think about when I’m with the stinkin’ cattle.” He pulled her on top of him. “Let’s sleep here, babe.”

She jumped off him like a Jack-in-the-box. “Rawson, I can’t sleep with you.”

My brother’s deep chuckle rumbled across the room. “Not like that. I doubt I have the energy to ravish you even if I wanted…which I do. I just want to hold you. Jedi’s honor. You are my girl.”

“You can hold my hand in an upright position. Another day.” She leaned down and pecked his forehead. “Right now you need your sleep.”

Rawson grinned up at her. “Can’t blame a guy for trying. So are you serious? You’ll kiss me if I avoid bars?”

She tossed him a smile. “I’m serious, Kermie. Goodnight.”

After she left, Rawson yawned. As he staggered past me, he jabbed my side. “Don’t speak a word of what you just heard, punk.”

I kept my eyes closed, hoping he’d think I was asleep. After several seconds passed, I peeked.

“Ah-hah,” he crowed, still towering over me. “Got ya.”

A grin tugged at my lips. “Yo dawg. Don’t go all cray-cray ’cause you’ve lost your touch with the ladies. Ain’t my fault she won’t kiss you.”

He laughed and tousled my hair. Maybe I should let Mom cut it so he’d stop messing it up.

“Let’s hit the sack.”

“You don’t want to snuggle with me on the couch?”

He raised a brow. “Shut it, dude.”

When he headed to his bedroom, I made kissing noises. A dirty sock hit me in the back of my head before his door shut.

Chapter 63

Liz

This time as I made my way to the arena to muck stalls at four-freaking-forty-five in the morning, I knew what the sliver of light under the door meant. Rawson was waiting. Staring at the closed doors, I mustered courage. I had hoped I wouldn’t have to worry about kissing him for at least another week. I should’ve known better. Pushing the door open, I entered.

Rawson peeked over the first stall and smiled when he saw me. My instantaneous reaction made me know this wasn’t good…not at all. I experienced flu-like symptoms—flushed skin, skyrocketing temperature, a heartbeat that resembled the fluttering of hummingbird wings.

“Good morning, beautiful.”

“Why aren’t you on your way out to the cattle?” Though the cogs in my brain turned sluggishly, I was proud that I’d remembered the proper terminology.