Corralled (36 page)

“Lainie ain’t male. I know. I checked.”

Tanna rolled her eyes. “Lainie is the
only
female working for Lariat down in the trenches on the circuits.”

“So?”

“So there are some people— men, specifically, men in positions of power, specifically— who don’t think she should be in what’s basically a men’s locker room.”

“That’s asinine.”

“The attitude is what it is. Be a tough row for her to hoe if she sticks around after making the accusation. We both know what the bastard did, but there are a lot of folks who won’t believe her.

Who’ll believe she’s only saying it to get attention. Yeah, the whole situation sucks balls.”

They stared at each other in miserable silence for a beat or two.

“I fucking hate this.”

“Me too.”

His gaze landed on her suitcase. “You taking off right now?”

“You guys don’t need me around.”

“You’ve already done more than enough.” Hank cleared his LORELEI JAMES 9

throat. “I don’t know if I can ever thank you. If you hadn’t shown up there when you did, this could be a much worse situation to deal with. She could be . . .”

Tanna squeezed his forearm. “I love her too, Hank. Your racing here to be with her is more than payment enough. Tell her to call me later. The room is paid for through tonight.”

Hank hugged her. “Thank you, Tanna. Safe travels.”

His heart was pounding something fierce when he entered the room. He imagined the worst. But Lainie looked the same as ever.

Except for the small thumb-

shaped bruise on the side of her

throat.

Still, she looked absolutely beautiful to him.

He didn’t touch her, though he longed to smooth her wild curls. He longed to wrap her tightly in his arms and never let her go. He longed to pepper her sweet face with kisses. Feel her breath drifting across his chest.

Instead he pulled out the desk chair and watched her sleep.

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9

)
ank had about half dozed off when he heard the covers rustling. His eyes flew open and he caught her staring at him.

“Hank?”

He stood. “Lainie. Are you—”

She jumped out of bed and launched herself into his arms before he’d taken a single step.

“Oh, God. You’re really here.”

Everything that felt wild in him settled. Surrounded by her scent, her body pressed against his, he held her, finally believing she was safe.

She spoke first. “Where’s Tanna?”

“She hit the road. You’re supposed to call her later.”

Lainie placed sweet, tender, nuzzling kisses up his throat that made him sigh in pure contentment. When she reached his mouth, she kissed the corners of his smile, teasing his lips into parting, sweeping her tongue inside for a full- blown kiss.

Her potent taste sparked the desire that always simmered between them. But Hank was content to let her lead. To let her show him how much she could handle.

She touched him thoroughly. Running her hands through his LORELEI JAMES 9

hair. Over his face. Across his shoulders. Down his chest. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too, darlin’.”

“Will you crawl under the covers with me? I’m tired and I can’t seem to get warm.”

“That I can do.”

He stripped to his boxers and spooned her. Tucking the covers around her so only her face was exposed, he rested his chin on the top of her head and closed his eyes.

Hank actually relaxed enough to drift off. But when Lainie stirred and he knew she was awake, he said, “I need to know what happened last night.”

Her body stiffened immediately. “Didn’t Tanna relay all the sordid details?”

“Some. But I want to hear it from you.”

Lainie was facing away from him. At first her voice was low enough that he barely heard it. By the time she finished, her tone was clear and strong, which he took as a good sign.

“I’m sorry. I’m pissed as hell. My anger won’t help this situation, but I have an idea about something that will help.”

She rolled back toward him. “What?”

“When this attack happened you were at the event as an employee of Lariat. It’s their job to provide a safe environment. When your coworkers took off, they left you alone in a dangerous situation. So in my mind, Lariat needs to be aware of what happened.

Specifically, Dusty needs to be told. Dusty also needs to contact Bryson Westfield, from the EBS, so he’s aware of what happened at an EBS- sanctioned event.”

Lainie’s defeat morphed into defiance. He continued, “I can deal with this if it’s too hard for you. And FYI, that wasn’t a suggestion. Either you call him, or I will.”

“Don’t bully me, Hank.”

9 CORRALLED

He curled his hand around her neck, bringing her close, so she’d make no mistake about his intent. “Don’t confuse bullying with my ensuring that this matter is handled swiftly and properly.

Do you have any idea what the thought of you being hurt does to me?”

He foiled her attempt to look away.

“It’s all I can do not to track that worthless fucker down and shoot him for the animal he is. Ace was stopped before he succeeded in his attempt to rape you. We could be dealing with a lot different— a lot worse situation.”

“We?”

“You can’t honestly believe I’d walk away and leave you to handle this alone?”

“Hank—”

“Don’t brush me aside. Not now. Not ever. You know how I feel about you, Lainie, even when you won’t let me say the actual words. But it doesn’t change them. Or negate them.”

Lainie didn’t answer, but Hank hadn’t expected her to.

“This isn’t something I can stand back and do nothin’ about.

I’m here for you. No matter what happens. But one of us is gonna make that call. You choose.”

Neither spoke. Neither moved. Finally Lainie closed her eyes and said, “All right. I’ll do it.”

Thank God.

Hank brushed his lips over her forehead. “I’ll be right here with you, if you want.”

“I’d like that.” Lainie wriggled out of his arms. “In fact, I’ll call Dusty now. He’s harder to get hold of as the day progresses, and I don’t want to put this off any longer than I have to.”

9

After Lainie hung up, she knew she’d done the right thing. Dusty was suitably appalled by the defection of the other medical person

LORELEI JAMES 9

nel as well as Ace’s behavior. But when it seemed Dusty might balk at contacting Bryson Westfield about the incident, Lainie put the screws to him. She’d wait four hours for Bryson’s response and plan for disciplinary action against Ace, or she’d head to the police department and file formal charges against Ace Newharth before she left town for the next EBS event.

Dusty’s reaction left her unsettled. She understood the EBS

was half Lariat’s source of income, but wasn’t it hypocritical for an organization devoted to healing to turn a blind eye when one of its own workers was the injured party?

Hank dragged her to the vending machine to load up on snacks.

Back at the room, he tucked her against his big body so they touched from head to toe. He held her, constantly soothing her with his loving caresses while they waited for her cell phone to ring.

“Whatcha thinking about?” Hank murmured.

“I don’t want to get on a plane and fly to Salt Lake City.”

“I don’t want you to either.” He stroked the bend in her elbow.

“Given what happened to you, I expected Dusty would insist that someone besides you could finish this fill- in gig.”

“He offered; I declined,” she lied, knowing Hank would be even more infuriated if he knew the truth: Dusty hadn’t mentioned finding her a replacement. There wasn’t anyone else in the company who could drop everything and fly off at a moment’s notice.

Not because she was indispensable, but because she was cheap, she had no other life, and she wouldn’t say no.

“Please reconsider,” he said gently. “I’ll drive you to Colorado Springs myself.”

Lainie turned and looked at him. “Aren’t you supposed to be in Kansas City?”

“Yes. But the CRA would understand.”

“What about the EBS?”

Hank hesitated. “I don’t know if I can—”

9 CORRALLED

Her cell phone rang. She disentangled from Hank’s arms and glanced at the caller ID. Not a number she recognized. “Hello?”

“Is this Melanie Capshaw?”

“Yes. Who’s this?”

“This is Bryson Westfield of the EBS.”

Her heart thumped and she scrambled to the edge of the bed.

“I just got off the phone with your boss, Doc Bowman. He indicated you’d had an unfortunate incident with an EBS rider last night.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Can you explain what happened?”

Lainie resented having to prove that she’d been attacked. She’d done nothing wrong except show up for work. After she finished, Bryson Westfield put her on hold.

Five minutes later he clicked back on the line. “Thanks for holding. You said Ace Newharth was responsible? He wasn’t listed on last night’s docket of riders.”

“I’ve treated Ace in a medical capacity, so I know who he is.

The other Lariat employees can verify that he was in the room with his friend Jake Nelson last night during the event.”

More muffled sounds.

“I assure you, Miss Capshaw, I don’t condone Ace’s behavior.”

“But are you going to condemn it?” she demanded.

“I’ll ask that you refrain both from filing charges with the local police department or from contacting your legal counsel until we’ve thoroughly investigated this matter. Naturally I’ll keep you informed of how the investigation proceeds.”

Her mouth nearly hit the floor. “That’s it? Ace attacks me and he won’t be reprimanded at all?”

“I didn’t say that,” he cautioned.

“You implied it. At the very least I would expect Ace would be suspended from EBS events pending a full investigation.”

LORELEI JAMES 9

Silence.

Hank hopped up and paced in the small walkway between the beds, practically growling his displeasure.

“I’ll oversee Mr. Newharth’s disciplinary action personally.”

“Thank you.” But she didn’t feel relief; she wasn’t sure he wasn’t feeding her full of shit.

“In the meantime, I’ll expect the usual discretionary measures.

No media alerts.”

“I’m not looking for publicity, Mr. Westfield. I prefer this to be handled as discreetly, expediently, and fairly as possible.”

“Consider it done. Someone from my office will be in touch with you soon, Miss Capshaw.” And he hung up.

Hank crouched in front of her. “What happened?”

“They’re checking into it.”

“What’s to check into? Ace attacked you. End of investigation.”

Lainie rubbed the ache between her eyes. “Can we just forget about this whole shitty mess and snuggle up until it’s time for me to leave?”

Emotionally drained, she rolled over and faced the wall. If she could just make it through the next two days, she’d be home free.

The clerical job started Monday.

“Talk to me. What aren’t you telling me?”

“My position with Lariat is changing. Which is why it’s ironic that this happened at one of the last events I have on the road.”

“Last events? Are you . . . quitting?”

“No. I’ll be working in the Lariat offices full- time, not traveling the circuits.”

“How long have you known?” When she didn’t jump right in with a response, Hank said, “Since Lamar. Dusty offered you the job and told you to go on vacation for three weeks before you started.” Pause. “When were you going to tell me?”

9 CORRALLED

“I’d planned to tell you. Things were going so great between us that I didn’t want it to end on a bad note.”

End
hung in the air like a dirty cloud.

The mattress moved beneath them as Hank draped his arm over her side and pulled her flush to his body. His warm breath teased her ear. “Well, darlin’, we don’t have much time left today. I sure as hell don’t want to spend it fighting with you.”

That was when her tears surfaced. This man was so unbelievably sweet. Thoughtful. Fierce. Loving. “I don’t want to spend it fighting either.”

“Good.” He placed hot, wet, openmouthed kisses down her neck. “When does your flight leave?”

“Four.”

“Mmm. That leaves us plenty of time.”

Her body tingled from the eroticism of his mouth on her skin.

“For what?”

“For me to prove to you that this shouldn’t end. Ever.”

And prove it he did. In the bed. In the shower. In the chair.

Hank systematically left his mark on her body, her heart, and her soul. Their parting at the airport was bittersweet. When he whispered that he wanted more than three lousy weeks with her, she asked him to give her a little time to get her head together.

Lainie felt more confused than ever. She kissed him and forced herself to turn away.

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9

-
ainie figured the summons from Dusty on her day off meant he wanted the lowdown on what happened in River Bend— without interruptions. She rapped on his office door.

Doc motioned her to a metal stool, the one piece of furniture not mounded with papers.

His clinical gaze swept over Lainie. “How are you?”

“Fine.” When he looked as if he didn’t believe her, she said,

“Seriously. I’m fine now. But I won’t lie: Having Ace Newharth corner me scared the piss out of me.”

“I imagine so. Have you called your mother to let her know what happened?”

“I intend to. I took a three- week sabbatical from her too.”

“So Sharlene and her husband don’t know what’s going on?”

Since when did Doc care about her stepfather’s involvement in her life? She shook her head.

“Good enough.”

He tapped his fingers on the desk blotter.

The first bit of niggling doubt surfaced.

“You wondering why I called you in today?”

“I thought it was about the River Bend incident.”

9 CORRALLED

“No. There are a few things we need to discuss.”

“Pay rates for my new job?” she joked.

Doc sagged back in his office chair and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Look, let me just say this straightaway.”