Crashing Into Tess (3 page)

Bright morning sun angled across the diner’s
parking lot, melting all traces of the previous night’s ice
storm. Pulling out onto the street, Jake said, “It gets real
snowy around here, come winter time, y’know. ”

Looking out the window, Tess finger-combed her
blonde curls absently. “I know. I’m thinking maybe I’ll buy
a four wheel drive truck, not as big as yours, though. I’ll
talk it over with Doc.”

Jake glanced at the clock on the dash, annoyed at the
concern he felt for her. “It’s after seven. We’ll head over to
the body shop. Dave Burn’s runs it, he’s probably got some
used cars you can look at. Dave’s an honest guy, he won’t
rob you.”

When he parked there, Tess asked, “Can Rhiannon stay
here with you?”
“Sure.”
He opened the hatchback of the demolished rental car,

After she left, he surveyed the new computer equipment
and fancy teal sport luggage.
What does a city girl want
with a four wheel drive pickup? She belongs in a shiny little
BMW coupe.
Trying to resist the lemony sunshine appeal of
her, he stashed her belongings in the bed of his truck and
waited.

Tess crossed the lot with Dave, looking over his
inventory, motioning with her hands. He smiled. She’d
changed into a clean white fleece vest, matching ribbed
turtleneck and stretchy fleece yoga pants that hugged her
curves. Then she was floating towards him, curly blonde
hair lopped over the white bandage on the side of her head,
a wide smile on her pale face, and something in his chest
tugged.

Leaning over, he opened her door. “Hey, how’d it go?”
Rolling her eyes, she climbed up onto the seat. “I
reported the accident to the rental company. They won’t
have a replacement car until the middle of next week, can
you believe it? And Dave doesn’t have anything for me
right now, either.” She eyed him carefully. “ Are you sure
you want to do all this other stuff today? It can probably
wait.”
“I drank three cups of coffee at the diner, Tess. No
turning back now. I’ll call the ranch to get my guys started,
and crash when I get home.” Shaking his head, he started
the engine. “I mean, I can sleep. Enough crash talk.”
She smiled at him, her wide blue eyes saucy. “I was
just thinking about a new CD. Maybe some Crash Test
Dummies?”
He shook his head, unable to help grinning. “Yeah, that
goes well with a head injury.”

Why can I not stop flirting with this guy?
And these
bad jokes... He must think I’m desperate.
Tess’s cell
buzzed. Fishing it out of her little bag, she looked at the
display. “Ugh. My mom. Excuse me, I have to take this.”
She cupped her hand over the speaker to shield the noisy
truck engine. “Hi, Mom.”

“Good Morning Contessa.” Her mother’s crisp voice
put her immediately on edge. “Are you in Colorado
Springs, at the hotel?”

“Can you see William Penn?” Tess replied.
If she finds
out about this accident, I’m doomed.
“Very funny, Tess,” her mother said drily, not at all
amused. Noelle Bamberger’s center-city law firm
specialized in urban zoning and land development. From
her office on floor eleven of a Market Street high rise,
Noelle shared a view of City Hall with Tess’s father
Richard, a partner in a patent and intellectual property firm.
His office was on floor twelve.

Omissions are a sanity measure, here. Fake perky, Tess.
Feeling her throat tighten, she said, “I’m actually in Green
Junction, Mom. I made it to town about an hour ago and I
just had a big healthy breakfast.”

“Well, you got an early start, didn’t you?” her mother
said approvingly.
Earlier than you can imagine, Mom.
“How is your new place?”

“Ah-h, I haven’t seen it, yet. I’m heading over there
now.” Tess flashed Jake a cheeky grin. “It’s sure to be a
great little crash pad.”
Unable to help grinning, he shook his head.
“A what? I hope it’s not some kind of roach motel,

Contessa. The furniture shop is set to deliver your bed
sometime this afternoon, so call right away if there is a
problem with the apartment. I can stop the delivery, and
book you a flight home.”

Tess rolled her eyes. “I’m sure my apartment is fine,
Mom. Can you have Shirley give the furniture people my
cell number and ask them to call beforehand?”

“Yes, but there’s plenty of room on your credit card if
you want to fly home, Contessa. I still can’t imagine how
that place is at all suited for you.”

Tess tried to keep annoyance from her voice.
“Thanks,
Mom.”
After Noelle picked up her printout of rural ranch jobs
lying on the kitchen counter last June, she’d poured herself
a double gin and tonic and stewed until Richard returned
from his golf game. That night at dinner, they’d offered to
finance a partnership in a small animal emergency clinic on
the Main Line. Noelle had not hidden her disappointment
when Tess turned it down in favor of the Green Junction
job. First she’d been disparaging, then downright caustic.
As Tess’s departure loomed, Noelle made snarky references
to “Tess’s Trip to the Wild West”.
But that’s all behind me, now,
she thought, glancing at
Jake. He was a nice distraction, his angular jaw slightly
bristled, strong brow and chiseled nose etched in the
sunlight, reddish brown hair curling at his collar.
I just got
to Colorado, and I’m already hanging with the Marlboro
Man. Wait til I tell Sammi.
“I’ll be out of the office all day, dear. I have client
briefings, then a deposition. Shall I check in with the rental
company? How much longer will you need the car?” Her
mother’s voice brought Tess crashing back to reality.
“B-Better let me handle the rental company, Mom,”
she said with as much assurance as she could muster.
This
is way too dicy to get sidetracked by the magazine ad next
to me.
“I’m looking at trucks today.”
“But what if you change your mind about that place?
Your father won’t appreciate having to ship a vehicle back
to the east coast, you know.”
“Mother, as both you and Daddy are aware, I’ve
promised to be here until spring. I’ll need four wheel drive
and good tires before the bad weather hits, and I can drive
the truck home next summer. Look, I hate feeling like I
have to explain myself to you. This is my decision. I need
the truck. I’ll be in touch, okay?” she asked impatiently,
hoping her mother would take the hint.
“All right, dear. I’ll check in at lunch time, to see how
you’re doing.”
“Bye Mom, love you,” Tess said, ending the call.
Glancing at Jake, she sighed, slightly embarrassed. “Sorry
about that. She’s called five times a day since I left
Philadelphia.”
He glanced over to her, then back at the road. “She’s
your mom. She cares about you.”
“It doesn’t always feel like caring,” Tess exhaled.“I
don’t usually fib, but both of my parent’s are huge micromanagers. My sister Samantha is absolutely perfect, and
lately, they’ve focused way too much on me. It’s a bit
much, actually. They’re freaked I moved out here. It will be
a huge adjustment for them.”
“It’ll be a huge adjustment for all of you. You’re far
away, I’m sure they’re gonna miss you,” he said easily. “Is
your sister in Philly?”
Tess shook her head. “Manhattan. She does PR for a
think-tank. She’s a brilliant writer, but my parent’s
persuaded her to do something practical, so she puts
together newsletters and press releases, handles all of their
website content. I guess she likes her job. Do your parents
live in Green Junction?”
“My dad lives at the ranch with me during the summer,
but he’ll stay in Texas this winter, at my uncle’s place. The
warmer weather suits him,” Jake said evenly. “I’ve been
managing the ranches here for the past eight years.”
“And your mom?” Tess asked.
“Mom died when I was ten.”
Did I seriously just complain about my parents to him
?
Caught off-guard, she grasped for something to say. “I’m so
sorry. That’s sad, Jake. You were just a little kid.”
“There’s never a good time to lose a mom, I guess,” he
said.
*****
When Jake pulled in front of Elmer Freethy’s
big white
Victorian on Chambers Street, pink-streaks of sunlight
hovered above the Sangre de Christo Mountains, casting
the morning in rosy brilliance.
Tess dug into her hip pocket for her key, and he noticed
her hands. They were pale, fine boned and elegant, her
fingers long and thin.
Piano hands.That’s what Aunt Olivia
calls hands like hers.
He opened her door, steadying her as
she stepped down. “You sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine,” she assured him, with an eager smile.
“C’mon Rhiannon, this is home. Let’s go check it out!”
Tongue lolling, the dog hopped from the truck. Jake
grabbed ice packs and discharge instructions from the seat
and followed Tess up the green painted steps of a deep
covered porch. Turning the key in the old-fashioned lock,
she pushed against the gleaming oak entry door.
In the hallway, a curved wooden stairway led to the
second floor. As Tess unlocked the door to the right, he
inhaled baby powder and antiseptic and something lemony,
clean and light.
In the apartment, tall living room windows faced the
front porch. Her footsteps echoed on recently refinished
wood floors, then she stepped into the room beyond, a
kitchen tiled in black and white, occupying the old sun
porch.A wide smile lit her face.“Wow, this is really super!
Come see it, Jake!”
The windows at the front of the eating nook had a view
of the Sangre de Christos on all three sides. “It’ll be bright
and sunny in the morning,” he agreed. Next to him,
Rhiannon wagged her tail enthusiastically.
Tess walked down the hall and into the bedroom,
calling, “Can you believe there’s a claw foot tub in the
bathroom? My sister will be so jealous. . . How many girls
get claw foot tubs in their first apartment?” Her voice
trailed off, and she came back towards him. “What day is
it?”
“Today’s Friday.”She was right in front of him now,
blonde, curly ringlets almost at his fingertips, eyes
glistening, pink cheeks smooth. He put his hands in his
pockets. “It was a long drive, huh?”
“Ridiculously long, and it got a whole lot more
confusing last night,” she said, rolling her eyes and shaking
her head. “I start work on Monday, so I have to get settled
in here.”
He cleared his throat. “You’ve got time.”
“I guess so. I’m feeling much better since I’ve seen this
place, anyway.” Her full lips were rosy, a little chapped,
and she was still smiling. “Can we head for the grocery and
drug store, now? Do you mind?”
“Let’s go,” he grinned, opening the door.

The sun hit the dashboard of Victoria ScalamagottiMcGreer’s
white Acura as she zipped into the shopping
center, late for work.

Cassie had missed the starting bell at school, but she’d
taken a call from Ronald Karachek, and the news had been
good.

She passed her ex-husband’s green diesel pickup, idling
in front of the supermarket, the bumper banged up, the
headlight missing. Her eyes narrowed as she watched a thin
girl get out. Long blonde curls bobbing, the girl grabbed a
cart and headed through the glass double doors. Jake pulled
into a parking spot.

Hah! I’ve got news for you and that little mermaid,
Jake. That police report is my ticket out of here! Once I
show the judge you’re a drunk, you’ll be bankrolling my
new life in sunny California. If you’re lucky, you might see
Cassie at Christmas and Easter. Two weeks in summer, too,
if you’ll agree to cover my cruise.

Parking in front of the bank branch, Vicki smiled at her
reflection in the mirror as she unclasped the large black
alligator purse that matched her stilettos. She opened a mint
tin, popped two little yellow pills into her lipsticked mouth,
and washed them down with the can of diet Coke in her
console.
Breakfast of champions. . .These will hold me until
lunch!

Idling in the fire lane, Jake watched Tess
walk into the
pharmacy
,
admiring the way her knit pants hugged her
willowy thighs and curvy little butt.
Focus, Jake. You’re
getting carried away, here.

He swallowed, pulled into the nearest parking spot, and
called the ranch. “We’ll have the cattle loaded and be on
the road in the next forty-five minutes,” his foreman Larry
said, “Why don’t you just stay put?”

It was just what he wanted to hear. Drowsy in the
sunlight, he tilted his hat and leaned back for a nap. He was
enjoying Tess’s company. Two ranches kept him busy, but it
wasn’t the same as being needed, taking care of things, the
way it had been when Cassie was around.
I could fall for
Tess in a heartbeat, but she’s only here until spring.

When Tess came through the automatic doors with a
cart load of groceries, he pulled the truck to the curb.
“Look, just climb in and relax while I load this stuff,” he
offered, opening her door. She rolled her eyes. “What?” he
asked.

“I feel like my Dad’s mother, Granny Esther. My
grandfather does everything for her. I’m not ancient, you
know.”

“You’re not ancient, but you are banged up. You’ll need
to take it easy the next week or so, Tess,” he said gruffly,
feeling the blush crawl up his neck.

They let Rhiannon run in the park, and he took her
down Main Street to show her the library, courthouse, and
the movie theater.

“So you think I’ll find some good stuff here?” she
asked when he pulled to the curb at the thrift store, , blue
eyes wide.

She hopped from the truck, flashing him another killer
smile. “I might be a little while.”
“Take your time, I’ll be here.”
Unable to stifle a grin, he pulled his hat over his face
and leaned back, absently stroking Rhiannon. Twenty
minutes later, the passenger door swung open. Tess’s blue
eyes gleamed with excitement, her hair a shining halo. She
looked like an angel, floating on adrenaline and endorphins.
“I scored big! I got this great set of old restaurant china
from this place called the ‘Halfway Hotel.' The lady inside,
Gertrude, said it came from somewhere up near Pike’s
Peak. There’s a little a pickaxe and miner’s pan on every
piece!”
He smiled as she rambled on, breathless with
enthusiasm. “I found drinking glasses and mugs and a cast
iron frying pan and a tea kettle and a pot or two to get
started, and they’ve got a gorgeous oak dresser and chest of
drawers. Do you mind helping me get it all over to my
place?”
“Might as well load the truck up, while we’re here,” he
said agreeably.
In the store, Gertrude was wrapping at the counter. She
greeted Jake with her sweet, steady smile.
He tied the dresser and chest of drawers behind the
cab, then started on the boxes lining the floor between the
aisles. When Tess was next to him in the truck again, he
cocked an eyebrow. “I sure bet the thrift shop appreciates
your arrival.”
“Do you think? And this is just the tip of the iceberg.
I’ll be their most loyal customer over the next few months.”
“I bet you will.”
On their way to her apartment, she said, “There’s so
much sky here. I didn’t know what to expect, but it’s all so
gorgeous and amazing.”
He looked at her eager face, and couldn’t help smiling.
“I hope you think so in February, when the sky is dumping
two feet of snow on top of the four already on the ground
here in town, and most of the mountain roads are
impassable.” He pointed to the mountains. “That range to
the south is the Sangre De Cristo, and to the west are the
Sawatch Mountains. See those street signs?”
“Yes.”
“Are they up that high in Philadelphia?”
“No way.”
“They have to stay visible above the snow piles the
plow throws up in winter. The streets are wide just so
there’s plenty of room for snow.”
“Hmm, I’ll keep that in mind when I pick out my
vehicle.”
“Look around and see what people are driving. Get
something with high clearance and four wheel drive, and
plan to keep plenty of weight in the back if you’re driving
in the mountains in winter. Make sure to figure in for good
snow tires, too.”
“Thanks, Jake. I will.”
He pulled into her driveway, unloaded groceries and
boxes onto the porch, then carried her dresser and chest up
the stairs. He parked, threw the forty pound bag of dog
food over his shoulder, and rounded the corner. Up on the
porch, Tess was picking up her printer. Rhiannon was
underfoot, her tail wagging.
“Why don’t you just relax, and tell me where to put
your stuff? You’re supposed to be taking it easy,
remember?”
She flashed him a hesitant smile. “Are you sure you
don’t mind? I’ve got everything sorted into piles.”
Setting the dog food down, he said, “I don’t mind. You
stay here, and let me carry everything in.”
“Wow, is this how you were with your wife when she
was pregnant?”’
Stopping short, Jake turned to her. Pink heat crawled up
his neck. “Probably, yeah, this is how I was. I like looking
out for people. It’s my nature, I guess,” he said, a little
sheepishly.
Crimson-faced, she held his eye. “It’s really nice, Jake.”
He carried the dresser in. Drawer in hand, she followed
him to the bedroom, motioning where she wanted it.
Sliding the drawer into place, she turned to him and said, a
little breathlessly, “Thank you so much. For all of this.
You’re really helping me out here.”
“It’s no problem. I’ll feel better knowing you’re settled
in.” His fingers itched. He wanted badly to reach for one of
her corkscrew curls. “Do you have a boyfriend, Tess?”
She looked up at him wide-eyed, and shook her head.
“No, no boyfriend.”
He moved closer, letting a hand drop to her waist. Her
skin was warm and taut, better than he’d imagined.
This is
exactly what I said I wouldn’t do.
“How old are you?” he
sighed.
“Eighteen.” Startled, he pulled away.
She giggled and slugged him gently. “Silly, I’m
twenty-six.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “You look younger than that.”
“I hear that a lot.”
Touching her hair, careful of her bandage, he asked.
“Ever been in a serious relationship?”
“Not really serious. I was with my college boyfriend for
three years, but he dumped me when he went to law school.
My blood type is A positive, want my GPA?” she
whispered, moving closer.
Her chin tilted up to him, so close now. He couldn’t
stop his lips from brushing against hers, soft and
tender.“Tess?”
“Hmm?” she murmured, running a forefinger along his
collarbone.
He groaned softly, trying to resist. “Tess, I don’t
usually kiss women I barely know.”
She tucked her head against his chest. “Me neither,
Jake. ”
“You don’t kiss women you barely know?”
“Not usually.” She smiled up at him, shaking her head,
her eyes clear and blue. “Or men either. But you’re the
person in Green Junction I know best.”
“I’m the only person you know in Green Junction,
Crash,” he murmured, sliding his hands under the hem of
her turtleneck, touching the skin on the small of her back.
She was silky smooth, so very soft, he rested his palms
there, wishing he knew what she felt like all over.
He kissed her for real then, his mouth hot on her pink
lips. When he felt her twitchy little tongue tease his, he felt
his heart catch. He came up for air, breathing hard,
surprised by the effect she had on him. “So you’re not
afraid to go after what you want, either, huh? And you’re
used to getting it, no doubt.”
She met his eye. “I wouldn’t say that. You’ve taken
really good care of me since last night. I like being with
you. It feels safe.”
“Oh, I’m safe. And there’s plenty of time to get to know
me, if you decide to stick around Green Junction,” he said,
dropping his hands, which felt empty, without her.
“I’m here for the duration,” she said with certainty.
“That remains to be seen. You haven’t even put a day in
on the job.” He plucked a curl, then, unable to resist,
pressed his nose into her hair, breathing the scent of her
again, lemony and soft and fragrant. She tightened her
hands around his back, her fingertips pressing on the tight
muscles at his rib cage.
“I should leave, before we get in trouble here,” he
murmured.
“We’re already in trouble, silly,” she told him softly,
kissing his chin. Unable to resist, he found her mouth
again.
“Daddy?” A shrill little voice called from the front
yard. “Daddy, are you here?”
Red-faced, Jake pulled away, and walked quickly to the
front of the apartment. Boots tapping down the porch steps,
he asked, “Cassie? It’s Friday. Why aren’t you in school?”