Cowboy Cool: Book 5 (Cowboy Justice Association) (35 page)

“But you most of all? It’s like how a child will hit out at a parent. They know you love them and they’re so secure in that love they’ll tell you they hate you. Hurts like a bitch but deep down they don’t really mean it.”

“That’s what Kaylee said. I don’t know if that’s what was truly happening but I think the theory is a sound one.”

“So what happens now?” Tanner’s brows were raised in question. “What about Kaylee?”

Reed had thought about Kaylee every single damn day since he’d left Illinois. Everything he did was centered around becoming the kind of man that she deserved. He’d thought leaving her had hurt like hell but it had nothing on being without her day in and day out.

“I’ve been seeing that grief counselor to help sort things out. I want to show Kaylee that I’m trying.”

“There’s nothing wrong with seeing a professional. I go to AA meetings every week and Madison doesn’t think I’m less of a man for it.”

Reeling as if he’d been knocked sideways by a two by four, Reed could barely speak. “You’re an…alcoholic? I don’t believe it.”

Tanner laughed and wadded up the paper napkin, tossing it on the table. “Why, because I don’t ‘look’ like an alcoholic? Because I don’t act like one? I can assure you I had a drinking problem several years ago. It was bad but I finally sought help and got sober. I’m not too proud or macho to say that help saved my life.”

Everyone admired Tanner because it looked like he always had his shit together, so to hear that there was a time when he didn’t…

“And you still go?”

“I do. Hearing the other stories reminds me of why drinking sucked and being sober is good.”

Come to think of it, Reed had never seen Tanner drink any alcohol. “I don’t think I’ll need to see this grief counselor forever. She suggested coming a few more times just to get on the right track.”

“So I’ll ask again. What now?”

“I’m going to call Kaylee and see if she might want to come visit here for a few weeks. I want to show her all the progress I’ve made. I just hope it’s not too late. What if she’s met someone else?”

He worried about that all the time. She was a beautiful, talented woman and any man would be proud to call her his own. Maybe he’d left it too long.

Tanner shook his head. “I think it’s too late to ask her to come here and visit.”

Reed’s heart plunged to his stomach. Hell, even Tanner thought Reed had left it too long. “I should just let it go?”

“I said,” Tanner replied patiently, a smile playing on his lips, “that it was too late to ask her to come here and visit. That’s because she’s already here. I saw her at the hospital today visiting Ava. She’s staying at Logan and Ava’s place.”

Kaylee was here.
In Montana.

As much as he loved her, it was amazing he hadn’t felt her presence this close.

“I can’t believe she’s here,” Reed said slowly still trying to wrap his mind around the fact that she wasn’t over a thousand miles away. She was within driving distance and he could see her tonight if he wanted to.

Did she want to see him?

“She’s here.” The waitress dropped off the check and Tanner picked it up with a grin. “Dinner’s on me. You’re going to need all your money to buy her a diamond and pay for a wedding. Might be some good sales on rings the day after Christmas.”

“You said you didn’t think I was fit to be in a relationship,” Reed reminded him.

“I did say that,” Tanner nodded his head in agreement. “But you’ve changed and I think that Kaylee is the reason. You two will be very happy together.”

“If I’m lucky.”

Had everything that happened in Illinois been a fluke or could lightning truly strike twice? There was only one way to find out.

Chapter Thirty-One

K
aylee carefully watched the road signs as she drove back from the hospital to the lovely home of Logan and Ava Wright. Kaylee had flown in early this morning and was staying there despite her protests that she could check in to a hotel. She hadn’t wanted to be a burden to Logan but Ava had insisted she wanted Kaylee at the house. She’d finally agreed thinking that she could be of use cooking and doing the housework so Logan wouldn’t have to worry about it. Living there also had its perks. Kaylee would drive Ava’s car back and forth to the hospital.

As they’d all feared, on Christmas day Ava’s blood pressure had gone dangerously high causing a painful headache and starbursts in her vision. She was now ensconced in the maternity ward of the nearest large hospital with a neo-natal unit and not liking it one bit. Like Kaylee herself, Ava was a homebody and nothing made her feel safer or happier than to be in her own house. Tucked in Kaylee’s purse was a list of things she would take to the hospital tomorrow to make Ava’s stay a little more tolerable. Kaylee was already planning a few surprises not on the list including some of her homemade pot roast and maybe a coconut custard pie. Ava had complained that the food was horrid.

Kaylee was determined to keep busy and not think about Reed who was within driving distance for the first time in weeks. He was busy working on things and he needed his space. His Christmas gift had been enough to keep the hope alive in her heart.

She was still half an hour out of Corville when flashing red and blue lights appeared in her rearview mirror. She hesitated to pull over having heard horror stories about fake cops pulling over single women on dark, deserted stretches of road.

Roads just like this one, and so remote there weren’t even streetlights to illuminate the pavement.

She had been speeding but barely at five miles over the limit. Sighing in resignation, she put on her right blinker and pulled smoothly off the road and onto the shoulder, deciding she wouldn’t roll down her window until she got a good look at the officer.

Easing the car into park, she sat waiting for the cop to exit his own SUV. Impatiently, she tapped on the steering wheel as seconds stretched to minutes.

“Just give me the ticket already,” she muttered under her breath.

The driver’s door of the vehicle swung open and the officer stepped out. She could clearly see the outline of his body in her side mirror and it only took one look to set her heart galloping out of control. The closer he got the harder it was to breathe. She’d know those shoulders anywhere even in the dark on the side of the road with no light except his headlights and the moon in the inky black sky.

Reed.

He tapped on the window she hadn’t yet rolled down, and she reached for the button with trembling fingers. It slid down until it disappeared and she was face to face with the man she’d thought about every single day since he’d left.

The cold wind whipped against her cheeks and tousled her hair. Damn, it was freezing in Montana this time of year.

“Can I see your license and registration, ma’am?”

Huh?
He was actually pulling her over?

Confused, she stared up into his completely serious expression. “Um, what?”

“License and registration, please.”

So he was pretending he didn’t know her. Well, two could play at that game. Anger sprouted and she dug into her purse for her license before snagging the registration from the glove compartment. She handed them over and waited while he perused both items.

“Do you know how fast you were going?”

Asshole. Fucking asshole.

Kaylee didn’t know why he was doing this but if he wanted to let her know he didn’t give a shit anymore he couldn’t have said it any clearer if he’d taken out a billboard in Times fucking Square.

“No,” she answered stiffly. “How fast was I going?”

“You were exceeding the speed limit by four miles per hour, and you also failed to signal a lane change twice.”

Pursing her lips in fury, she swallowed the bitter words she really wanted to say. “If you say so.”

“I do.” With one arm resting against the top of Ava’s sensible economy car, Reed leaned down far enough that Kaylee caught a whiff of his aftershave. It brought back happy memories of Reed in the morning.

Forget them.

“Are you going to write me a ticket?” The question came out stilted and she wished she could put on a poker face the way Reed did.

“No, ma’am. I’m afraid I’m going to have to take you into custody.”

His softly spoken words belied the steel and determination underneath. She’d heard that tone before and she knew it for what it was. He’d do anything to get his way.

And that’s when she lost her temper. It was freezing outside but her indignation was keeping her warm. She’d bet her cheeks were crimson with anger.

“Are you serious?” she breathed in amazement. “You’re arresting me? Reed, have you lost your mind? I was just coming from the hospital.”

“Please step out of the car, then turn around and face the vehicle.”

“I can’t fucking believe this.” Kaylee pushed the door open so hard it flew back on its hinges, almost knocking Reed over. He’d moved at the last minute but didn’t reprimand her as she slammed the car shut and turned her back to him, infuriated beyond anything she’d felt before. “You’re a total dick, do you know that?”

“Yes ma’am I do,” he answered smoothly. “Now place your hands behind your head please.”

He was going to cuff her? This was really going too far. She’d hire the best damn lawyer and sue his ass. His very fine, tight, handsome ass.

Placing her hands on her head, she waited as she heard the jingle of cuffs and then one hand was pulled behind her. The cuff wrapped quickly around her wrist and then the other. Perversely she pulled at the metal bracelets, but instead of the cold steel she’d expected they were padded with some kind of material.

Tugging again to try and figure out what he’d restrained her with, she watched as he reached into the car and retrieved her purse and keys before locking up the vehicle. His hand went under her elbow and he marched her back to his SUV but instead of placing her in the back, he sat her in the passenger seat and buckled her in.

He climbed into the warm truck and put the vehicle into gear, pulling back onto the road. Neither one of them said a word. Kaylee let her fury stew and build with each mile until they finally reached their destination.

“This is the police station?”

It looked like a house in the middle of nowhere. It was then that something clicked in her brain. This was Reed Mitchell, the only man she’d ever totally trusted. And he hadn’t done anything—yet—to lose that trust.

He also hadn’t said she was arrested.

She forced herself to relax and take a few deep breaths. She trusted Reed. He’d saved her life and he wouldn’t hurt her.

Helping her from the truck, he led her into the house, the lights already on and a cheerful fire blazing in the fireplace. The table was set with a bucket of champagne, chocolate and strawberries, and a large vase of roses.

Oh Reed. I didn’t need this. I only need you.

After taking in the stage he’d set, she turned to him and shook her head. “I would have come if you’d just asked.”

“I couldn’t be sure,” Reed said, his expression unreadable. “I needed to talk to you. I figured worst case scenario I would bring you here, we’d talk, and then I’d take you back to Logan and Ava’s.”

“And best case?” Kaylee held her breath, pulse racing with hope. Real hope.

“That maybe after we talked we could play sheriff and prisoner.” Reed’s dimples appeared and it almost took her breath away.

“I guess it depends on what you have to say,” she said as he came up behind her and unlocked the cuffs. He rubbed her shoulders and a wave of longing so strong came over her she almost threw herself into his arms.

Almost. He needed to talk first. Had anything changed for him since they’d last seen each other? Had he come to terms with the past or at least started to?

“I’ve got a whole bunch to say if you’re willing to listen.”

She lowered herself to a large cushion in front of the fireplace and looked up at him. “I’m ready.”

Coming to sit across from her, he paused to gather his thoughts. “I’ve made some progress. So much I was going to call you and then Tanner said that you were actually here.”

“I flew in this morning.”