Harlequin American Romance May 2014 Bundle: One Night in Texas\The Cowboy's Destiny\A Baby for the Doctor\The Bull Rider's Family (33 page)

“What happened to Mitchell and the Dockers?” Bernie called out.

Custer stepped in front of Destiny. “Mark no longer works for Wyndell Resorts. From now on, you people are dealing directly with me.”

“Let Destiny talk,” Melba said. “She’s our mayor and we listen to her, not you.”

Before things became ugly, Destiny said, “Calm down. We’ve got a big decision to make today, and we’re going to need everyone thinking clearly.” The saloon grew quiet. “As you all know, the rodeo and concert were a huge success two weekends ago and—”

“Where’s Buck, Destiny?” Sonja asked.

“Yeah, Buck should be here. The fund-raiser was his idea,” Bernie said. “He’s earned a vote in what happens to the town.”

Destiny had fielded questions all week regarding Buck’s whereabouts, and she was tired of pretending that they had just been friends. “Buck won’t be back.” She grimaced at the sea of blank stares.

“Did you two have a fight?” Enrick asked.

Hank moved from behind the bar. “If Buck stepped over the line with you...say the word and I’ll find him.”

Tears burned Destiny’s eyes. She loved that her friends were concerned about her, but she was also aware of how much they’d enjoy having Buck in town. If they knew the real reason he’d left—because she’d lied about marrying Daryl and had told him to go—they’d be upset with her. It was bad enough that she’d lost Buck. She didn’t want to lose her new family, too.

“Can we stop talking about Destiny and her love life, for God’s sake,” Custer grumbled.

Destiny cleared her throat. “As you know, we raised enough money to hire a lawyer to represent Lizard Gulch and file a lawsuit against Wyndell Resorts in hopes of preventing Mr. Custer from bulldozing the town.”

Everyone talked at once, then Hank slammed an empty beer pitcher against the bar and thunderous silence rippled through the room. “When Mr. Custer discovered we’d hired a lawyer,” Destiny said, “he decided to change his plans for the resort.”

“I bet the pansy did!” Melba snarled.

“Please allow Mr. Custer a chance to explain his ideas for the resort. Then we’ll vote on the future of Lizard Gulch.”

Custer straightened his shoulders. “I’m willing to build my resort around the town and leave—” he spread his arms wide “—all the buildings and trailers right where they are, with the understanding that resort guests be allowed access to the town if they should choose to come over here and visit.” He paused as if expecting applause or cheers rather than the silence that greeted his announcement. “No one will have to leave their home, unless they want to.”

“You gonna make everyone tidy up their places?” Melba asked.

“No.” Destiny sent Custer a warning look. “Not unless you want to. If your home needs repairs, but you don’t have the money, Mr. Custer has graciously agreed to set up a Lizard Gulch beautification fund, which the town council can use at their discretion.”

Hank raised his hand. “Does the money include repairs to our businesses?”

“Yes,” Destiny said.

“If I’m going to be serving more customers, I’ll need a new fryer and a deep freeze.” Hank spoke to Custer.

“The bar, the bakery and the motel have the green light to update their properties to accommodate more customers,” Custer said.

“What about the cemetery?” Bernie asked. “Don’t I get some money to make improvements, too?”

“What the hell kind of improvements do you need to make to three grave markers and a tree?” Custer asked.

Destiny caught Melba and Bernie exchanging a conspiratorial look. She suspected any improvements made to the graveyard would benefit the ghost tour and enhance the ghostly tale of Maisy and her lovers’ showdown at the motel.

“We could use a stone bench for people to sit on when they visit the graves,” Bernie said.

Custer shook his head in disgust. “Fine. You want a bench? I’ll give you a bench.”

“What about one of them fancy mister systems for my trailer?”

“Bernie, get serious,” Destiny said. “It’s time for a vote. All those in favor of allowing Wyndell Resorts to build in our backyard, raise your hand.”

Hank was the first to lift his arm, then Enrick, Frank, Bernie and Melba. After a tense few seconds, the rest of the town joined in a unanimous vote.

“Looks like you have your decision.” Destiny shook Custer’s hand. “But before you move forward with your plans, I’ll need your lawyer to contact our lawyer. I’m making sure you keep your promises.”

“This will be a win-win deal for everyone.” Custer spun on his heels and left the saloon.

The fact that Lizard Gulch would continue to exist was Buck’s doing, and Destiny would always be grateful he’d cared enough to help the friends who’d become her adopted family. A family with one member missing—Buck.

“You’ve been this town’s good-luck charm since you settled here, Destiny,” Bernie said.

Good luck?
Hardly.

“You saved Lizard Gulch.” Melba turned to the group. “Three cheers for Destiny!”

When the raucous noise died down, Destiny said, “You’re wrong. Buck saved this town.” Before she fell apart, she fled through the back door of the bar. No sooner had she entered her apartment above the garage than a knock sounded at the door. Melba had followed her home.

“C’mon in.”

As soon as Melba stepped inside, her gaze searched the space.

“Don’t worry. Buck’s not hiding here. He left for good.”

“I saw him drive off a few days ago, but I assumed he was heading to a rodeo and that he’d be back.”

I wish.

“What happened? You were getting along like two peas in a pod, tinkering with cars and playing miniature golf.”

Memories of lying next to Buck on their creepers beneath Bernie’s car brought tears to Destiny’s eyes. Good grief—everything made her cry these days.
Blasted pregnancy hormones.

Melba sat on the couch and patted the cushion next to her. “What happened?”

Destiny had held everything inside for too long and she felt as if she’d burst if she didn’t vent. “I’m pregnant.”

Melba gasped. “Hank will go after Buck and make him do right by you or—”

“The baby isn’t Buck’s, Melba. It’s Daryl’s.”

“But Daryl stood you up at the altar!”

“Then he came back and said he’d marry me, because his mother had told him to.”

Melba gasped. “Don’t tell me you agreed to tie the knot with him.”

“I have no intention of marrying Daryl, but I lied to Buck and said I was going to.”

“Did Buck know you were carrying Daryl’s baby?”

“Not until the day he left.”

Melba gasped. “The whole time you and Buck were together, he didn’t know you were pregnant?”

“I didn’t think it was important, because he was only staying in town a few weeks—until his truck was repaired.”
And I never expected to fall in love with him.

“But why did you lie to Buck about marrying Daryl?”

“Because...” The truth hurt.

Melba narrowed her eyes. “Do you love Buck?”

“Yes.”

“Does he love you?”

“He said he did.”

“Well, this is ridiculous.” Melba rolled her eyes. “Then tell me the real reason you sent him away.”

Destiny wiped her eyes. “Look at me, Melba. I’m not good enough for Buck. He deserves better than a girl who’s lived in truck stops—”

“You lived in a truck stop?”

“My mother was a prostitute. I have no idea which one of her customers is my father.”

“As far as childhoods go, yours certainly stunk, but what does how you were raised have to do with believing you aren’t good enough for Buck?” Melba sprang from her seat. “The Destiny I’m looking at right now is strong, loyal and caring.” She patted her chest. “Young lady, your heart is bigger than the state of Arizona.”

Destiny’s throat tightened. No one had ever said anything so nice to her before.

“You’re a fool if you allow Buck to get away.” Melba marched across the room and let herself out the door.

Destiny stared into space. She’d gone it alone for so long, she didn’t know how to trust that Buck’s love for her was real. She admitted that she’d taken the coward’s way out—it had been much easier to push him away than to live with the fear of him one day leaving her.

Melba was right—she’d be a fool to let Buck slip away. Worse...could she live with herself if she didn’t give her and Buck a chance at their very own happy ever after?

Chapter Fourteen

Three weeks had passed since Buck had left Lizard Gulch, and Destiny had been front and center of his every thought every minute of every day.

Wyndell Properties announces the construction of its newest resort, Apache Springs, located next to the town of Lizard Gulch, Arizona—a Route 66 landmark.

Buck sat on the edge of his bed and stared at the postcard Melba had sent him. He was relieved to learn that Custer and Destiny had negotiated a deal and Lizard Gulch would be spared the wrecking ball. The eccentric folks who’d retired in the small town wouldn’t have to relocate and could remain one big happy family—Destiny’s family.

Buck hated the way things had ended with Destiny, but at least now when he thought of her, he could envision her living above the garage and eating at Lucille’s. Or talking with Melba outside the motel office. Driving her wrecker and towing cars along the same highway he’d gotten stranded. And he was relieved she’d have help raising her baby—he doubted Daryl the loser would stick around long after he and Destiny tied the knot.

As for who would take care of him? As much as he loved his siblings, their concern smothered him. Each time one of his brothers sent him a sympathetic look, he felt like punching a brick wall.

Maybe Buck hadn’t left the farm to find the woman of his dreams, but he’d met Destiny and damn it, she was
the one.
So Destiny had only meant to flirt with him in the beginning, believing he’d go on his way before he found out she was pregnant, but she’d crossed the line when she’d made love to him...when she’d allowed him to fall in love with her.

“Buck?” Conway poked his head inside the bunkhouse.

“Yeah, I’m here.”

Conway’s gaze landed on the rodeo gear next to the bed. “Where are you going?”

“Back on the circuit.” Until he figured out his next move.

His brother stepped inside and let the screen door slam behind him. “You just came home.”

“I can’t stay.” He had to keep moving—that was the only decent chance he had of outrunning the memories.

“You’re not going to get far,” Conway said.

“Why’s that?”

“There’s a roadblock with your name on it out in the yard.”

Roadblock?
Buck went to the window. “What the hell?” Half the town of Lizard Gulch stood in front of the farmhouse.

“They’re demanding a word with you.”

“How’d they get here?” He didn’t see any vehicles other than his brothers’ pickups.

“They chartered a bus. It’s parked out on the road by the mailbox.”

Buck retrieved his cowboy hat from the bed, then hefted his gear bag over his shoulder and left the bunkhouse. When the group spotted him, they stopped talking. He dropped the bag at his feet and faced off with the pack leader. “Melba.”

She planted her hands on her hips. “We never figured you for a coward, Buck Owens Cash.”

Aware he had an audience—Isi and the boys sat on the porch swing. Mack leaned against the porch rail, and Conway and Porter flanked his side.

“If this is about what happened between me and Destiny—”

“You broke that poor girl’s heart.” Enrick waved a hand wildly in the air. “Why that girl was so distraught, she wouldn’t stop crying and—”

Frank slapped Enrick on the back. “Shut up and stop lying. He knows Destiny doesn’t cry.”

But her eyes had watered when she’d confirmed her pregnancy to Buck.

Hank cleared his throat. “We know about the baby.”

“Then you know it’s not mine,” Buck said.

Melba nodded.

“So you’re talking to the wrong man. Destiny told me she’s marrying Daryl.”

“We’re not letting Destiny marry Daryl. He’s got loser—” Bernie’s fingers formed the letter
L
“—written all over him.”

“We love Destiny.” Melba stepped closer to Buck, her eyes pleading with him. “She’s one of us. And we want her to be happy.”

“What am I supposed to do, Melba?”

“Convince Destiny to pick you over Daryl.”

“She’s not carrying my baby.”

“Does it matter whose baby it is, if you love Destiny?” Melba asked.

Didn’t they understand that Destiny chose Daryl—not him?

“You’re the only man who’s good enough for our Destiny. And you’ll make sure that baby doesn’t turn out like Daryl the dunce,” Hank said.

“The baby will be lucky to have you for a father,” Violet spoke up.

Bernie stepped forward. “You’re a good man, Buck Owens. We need more men like you in Lizard Gulch.”

“You’re all making it sound so easy,” Buck said.

“It is easy.” Melba placed her hand on Buck’s arm and stared him in the eye. “I know you love Destiny. And if you love that girl, then you love all of her, including Daryl’s baby.”

There was no doubt in Buck’s mind that he loved Destiny and he didn’t give a crap who fathered her baby—the child was a part of Destiny, and he’d love the baby as if it was his own. What he didn’t know for sure...what scared him the most was fatherhood. He didn’t know the first thing about being a father. What if he screwed up with the baby? He loved Destiny too much to risk failing her child. “I need to think about it, Melba.”

“If you love Destiny but you need to think about it, then you’re not half the man we thought you were.” Melba faced the group. “Our business is done here.” She waved everyone toward the dirt path that led to the waiting bus.

“Melba.” When she stopped and turned, Buck said, “Destiny never planned to tell me about the baby, and she knew I was falling in love with her.”

“She was protecting her own heart, Buck. Everyone she’s known has let her down.”

“Not you.” Buck pointed to the group walking away. “Not them.”

“True, but she’s not in love with us. She’s in love with you.” Melba spun, but Buck snagged her arm.

“When are they getting married?”

“I don’t know. She hasn’t said anything to any of us.” Melba pulled her arm free and hurried after the group.

Buck faced his brothers. “Well? I know you’re all dying to tell me what to do.”

No one said a word or moved a muscle. Fine. He was tired of talking anyway. He put his duffel and rodeo gear in the truck.

“Where you going?” Conway asked.

“Winslow.” He’d already paid the entry fee to three rodeos—one this last weekend in September and the first two weekends in October. “After Winslow I’m heading to Douglas then Colorado City.”

“You’ll use up more money in gas, driving to each rodeo than you will on entry fees,” Mack said.

That had been his plan all along—stay in the truck and drive for hours between each rodeo, praying the miles and miles of blacktop would help him forget Destiny.

“Maybe you should stay a few more days at the farm, before you go off half-cocked,” Conway said.

“I can’t.”

“What about Troy?” Porter asked. “Did you tell him you were leaving again?”

“I gave Troy my two weeks’ notice when I got back to town.”

Porter gaped. “You quit for good?”

“Yep. Troy understands.”

“Good for Troy,” Mack said. “Now make us understand.”

“Until I know for sure what I want, I’m no good to anybody.” Buck opened the driver’s side door and hopped in.

“You sure in hell won’t do any good on the back of a bronc, either,” Mack said.

“I’ll be fine.”

“Are you gonna answer our calls and texts this time?” Conway asked.

“I’m not dropping off the face of the earth. I gave you my itinerary. I’ll check in after each rodeo.”

“You’d better.” Mack reached inside the truck and squeezed Buck’s shoulder. “Drive safely.”

By the time Buck backed out of the yard and reached the highway, the motor coach was a speck on the horizon. He turned in the opposite direction and drove out of town. He had two days to make it to Winslow, and he was in no hurry. When the speedometer reached eighty-five, he moved his foot off the gas. No sense arriving for the rodeo early—he’d have nothing to do but stare at motel room walls and think about Destiny.

* * *

D
ESTINY
PULLED
OFF
the road and stopped the Harley next to the mailbox with black magnetic letters that spelled CASH. The weirdo at the gas station in Stagecoach had told her to take the dirt road after a billboard advertising Vera’s Lounge for Gentlemen. This had to be the pecan farm. She checked her side mirrors—nothing but miles of asphalt in either direction.

What if Buck doesn’t want to see me?
What if he tells me to leave?

After everything she’d been through in her life, being told to get lost was nothing. Brave words for a woman who was shaking in her biker boots. She loved Buck, and if he told her to get lost she’d be devastated. She didn’t care that her mother didn’t love her. She didn’t care that Daryl didn’t love her.

She cared that Buck loved her.

But that was before he knew about the baby.

And that’s why she’d come to the farm. She had to find out if there was the slightest chance that Buck would forgive her for lying to him about her pregnancy. And if he did forgive her, then she’d ask him if he could love her, knowing the baby she carried wasn’t his.

And if he could do both then she was going to ask him to marry her.

A truck honked then pulled off the road and stopped next to her. The passenger window lowered. “Destiny?”

The driver was Buck’s brother, Will.

“Is Buck here?” she asked.

“Follow me.”

She shifted gears and drove behind the pickup along a dirt road lined with pecan trees. When they entered a yard, she saw a farmhouse, barn and large metal shed. A black Lab slept on the roof of his doghouse beneath a tree near the porch.

If she were Buck, she’d never want to leave this place.

Will got out of his truck, and Destiny set the kickstand on her bike. “Buck might be in the bunkhouse,” he said.

Destiny walked with him to the shed then Will opened the door and motioned her to go inside first. “Guess who dropped by the farm,” he said when the door closed behind them.

The Cash brothers playing cards at the table spoke simultaneously. “Destiny.”

“Porter and Mack.” Will pointed out each brother. “Where’s Buck?”

Mack glared at Porter. “Didn’t you tell Will?”

“I thought you were gonna tell Will,” Porter said.

Will waved his hand. “Tell me what?”

“Buck’s not here,” Porter said. “He went back to rodeo. Left yesterday.”

“Do you know when he plans to return?” Destiny asked.

“Not anytime soon,” Mack said.

Will stared at his brothers. “Is he still upset with what happened between us earlier in the summer?”

“His leaving had nothing to do with you, Will,” Mack said.

“It’s me, isn’t it?” Destiny whispered.

“Buck said he needed time to think.” Porter flashed a sympathetic smile.

Destiny felt like crying.

“Where’s his first rodeo?” Will asked.

“Winslow,” Mack said.

“You could call him, Destiny,” Porter said.

“I have. He’s not picking up or answering my texts.” She couldn’t stand seeing the pity in the brothers’ eyes. She reached for the door.

“Where are you going?” Will asked.

“To find Buck.”

Porter grinned. “You go, girl.”

If she wasn’t so scared Buck would reject her, she might have laughed at Porter’s comment.

“Please don’t warn Buck that I’m coming for him.” She didn’t want to risk him being a no-show at the rodeo in Winslow because he knew she was on her way there.

Mack grinned. “Mum’s the word.”

Destiny walked over to her bike and put on her helmet—a baby shower gift from Melba. Now that she was going to be a mother, Melba had insisted she take her safety into consideration when she rode the Harley. While she buckled the strap, she heard Will say, “I’d give a month’s wages to see the look on Buck’s face when Destiny shows up at the rodeo.”

Depending on what that look was, Destiny would give her soul for it, too.

* * *

“F
OLKS
THAT
WAS
All-Around Cowboy C. J. Rodriguez who made it to eight on Red Devil! Looks like the judges are gonna give the cowboy an eighty-four for his effort. Eight-four puts Rodriguez in second place.”

Buck ignored the announcer’s voice as he rubbed resin on his riding glove. He was second-guessing his decision to enter the bull riding event—not that a rank bronc was any easier, but at least the horses didn’t try to freight train their riders.

“‘My Heart Skips a Beat,’ it’s Buck Owens Cash.”

Rodriguez.
The man was a cocky son of a gun with a shady past who loved to pick a fight. If he wasn’t so talented in rodeo, he’d probably be in prison right now.

“Did I hear right? You wanna be a bull rider today?” Rodriguez stepped in front of Buck, making it impossible to ignore the jerk.

“You heard right.” Buck wondered if his brother Johnny had challenged Rodriguez to a ride-off, because it had been the only way to shut the man up.

“How’s married life treating the Man in Black?”

Buck stared Rodriguez in the eye. “You ever get tired of mocking people?”

The bull rider grinned, then when he realized he didn’t have an audience he lost the smile. “How’s Shannon? Is she ready to compete again?”

Buck laughed. “I don’t think she has any plans to get back into bull riding—at least not for a while.”

“Is the leg she broke bothering her?”

“It’s not her leg keeping her out of rodeo. She had a baby.”

“No kidding. Boy or girl?”

Even though Rodriguez gave Shannon a hard time when they’d traveled the circuit together, Buck sensed the cowboy respected her—probably because she was the only person who put up with his crap. Rumors claimed that the popular-with-the-ladies rodeo star was friendless.

“Shannon had a little girl. Named her Addy after our grandmother.”

“Addy. That’s nice. Tell Shannon congratulations for me.”

After Rodriguez walked off, Buck focused on the bull he’d drawn. Destiny’s Curse—man, oh, man had he been surprised to read the name on the livestock list. Just like the bull, Destiny had put a curse on Buck, and no matter that he’d tried to forget her, he couldn’t. Since leaving Lizard Gulch he’d been unsuccessful in evicting Destiny from his heart or his head. And the one place he’d believed he’d be safe from her memory—rodeo—he wasn’t.