Hazard Play (3 page)

The caress continued, back and forth, back and forth. She knew now what snake charmers had going for them. She took a stabilizing breath, as much to buy time as to adjust to her sudden lack of oxygen. “I told you I’m a nurse. I work for Greenview Home Health Care and one of my patients died. I always get a little down when that happens. It’ll pass.”  Tess shook her head to clear it.

“That’s tough. Did he suffer?”

Tess warmed under his concern. “I don’t think so. He just went to sleep.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I'm sorry. I should be used to this. You probably think I’m in the wrong line of work.”

Back and forth. Back and forth.

“Not at all. I’ve been in situations where it would’ve been nice to have someone care about her patients as much as you do. Well, except if they’re ‘arrogant jerks,’ that is.” A grin of pure devilment flashed across his tanned face.

Tess couldn’t help it. She laughed, which probably looked pretty silly with tears marking her cheeks. Maybe Bailey was just what the doctor ordered. She had no illusions. All she had to do was make sure she didn’t fall for the guy. She could do that, couldn’t she?

“Wow!”

“What’s wrong?”

“That’s the first time I’ve heard you laugh. You could make a man your slave looking like that.” He squeezed her hand. “I mean it.”

Suddenly, Tess felt conscious of the fact she was sitting in a bar—her neighborhood hangout—holding hands with a stranger. She glanced at Dan, but he stood at the far end talking to another customer. No one seemed to be paying the slightest bit of attention. Embarrassment heated her cheeks anyway, and she withdrew her hand under the guise of taking a sip from her beer.  “I’ve been known to have a sense of humor occasionally. Tell me, what are you doing in our little town?” Safe territory for strangers to explore, like the weather. He was probably bumming around on vacation and thought he’d visit his uncle before returning to the real world. 

“I’m on my way to Lake Tahoe. Uncle Dan told me about the Harley and I stopped off here first. I like classic models. Kind of a hobby of mine.”

Well, that told her next to nothing. “Are you a gambling man? Or taking in the sun?” He didn’t look like the type.

“I’m...looking for someone.” He signaled his uncle for another beer.

Getting Bailey to speak in more than one sentence at a time suddenly became Tess’s goal for a successful evening. “And you have to go all the way to Tahoe? Must be important.” That should get some dialogue going.

“Would you like another drink?” He indicated her half-empty beer.

“No, thanks.” Not even an attempt to segue. If he’d wanted to guarantee she’d nag him for answers, there was no better way to go about it than trying to change the subject. “Who are you looking for?” She nudged his arm. “Don’t tell me. An old girlfriend who broke up with you and you want another chance.”

“Believe me, if a woman dumped me, and not many do, she’d be the one wanting another chance.” He flashed a self-assured half-smile.

Tess couldn’t help it. She laughed again, drawing the attention of several nearby customers. She clapped her hand over her mouth. “You’ve got to work on your low self-esteem.” She shook her head ruefully. As much as she might not want to admit, talking to him had made her feel better.

Bailey caught her hand and put it over his heart. “Good idea. I’m terminally shy around women. See how my heart is racing?”

Tess felt the steady beat of his heart under his flannel shirt and looked into his eyes.  The connection with him deepened and each pulse sent shivers throughout her body. They were holding hands again. How the heck did that happen?  “I can tell.” She drew a breath and prayed for strength.

He squeezed her hand. “You’re just what the doctor ordered.”

God, even his words moved her. Tess stiffened and snatched her hand away. “Last time I looked, you had two hands of your own. You don’t need mine. That might affect impressionable young girls, but I’m not one of them.”
Hah! Try an almost thirty impressionable woman.

“What makes you think I'd be interested in a girl? I want a woman who knows that life can turn on you and bite you in the ass.” His words tumbled out as if he couldn’t help it. “Someone I can rely on not to take off in bad times.” He stopped and took a long pull on his beer.

It was the first thing he’d said that Tess thought showed his feelings. That wasn’t quite true. He’d seemed genuinely concerned for her pain when he’d spoken in that quiet, husky voice. She’d bet on it. “Is that who you’re hunting for? Someone who didn’t measure up in ‘bad times?’ I’m sorry. It’s hard to be alone, I know that well enough.” Tess searched his face, trying to understand the emotion he was fighting so hard to push back behind a suddenly expressionless gaze. 

He apparently wasn’t going to give her that chance. His voice hard, he said, “Actually, I’m hunting for a man. I’m a bounty hunter and he jumped bail. It’s my job to bring him back.” When he turned to look at Tess, all vestiges of compassion were erased from his face. 

Tess couldn’t help it. She stared. “You...hunt men? I thought that went out with sheriffs and posses. You can’t be serious.”

“Believe it. The pay is good and I don’t have to worry about the niceties of the law that the cops do.” A ruthless smile flickered. “I’m damn good at it, too.”

Stunned at the abrupt change, she looked at the man sitting beside her. The Bailey she’d been talking with minutes ago had disappeared and become a cruel stranger. “But, you can’t mean that because you’re not a policeman, you can mistreat people. Everyone has rights.”

“Boy, are you naïve.” His eyes bored into hers. “These ‘people’ are criminals who have left town illegally and cost the bondsmen money. They pay me to bring them back, whatever it takes.” Bailey flexed his scarred hands. “Some of these guys need a little lesson to make them behave. If I were a cop, I couldn’t
educate
jumpers. Once we have an understanding, they don’t put up much of a fight and we get along fine on the trip back.” 

His scars
were
from fights where those huge knuckles had connected with flesh—tearing, bruising and breaking the skin. It sickened her. Ashamed she’d imagined Bailey’s hands on her body caressing her, she stammered, “You’re saying you beat them into submission. Are you proud of what you do?” She shuddered.

“Great. A bleeding heart. Because of jurors like you, murderers and rapists are out on the streets.” His words battered her like blows.

What had started out as a pleasant interlude had morphed into a hateful tirade. The tender man who’d soothed her was a brutal mercenary with no compassion for others. “Well, since I don’t want to get your shirt stained with my bleeding heart, I'll leave.” She got off the barstool and turned.

An iron hand gripped her arm. “Not yet. We haven’t talked about the bike.”

She yanked her arm free and wheeled around. This guy could easily make her rethink her views on violence. She’d forgotten all about the bike.  “Well, I’m not holding it hostage and I won’t
beat
it up while it’s in my truck. Why didn’t you get it when you were out in the parking lot?”

“The main fork is bent. I can’t wheel it all the way to the shop. Do you know where Rob’s Cycles is on Madison?”

“Of course. Everyone does.”

“Meet me there tomorrow morning at eight o'clock.” Bailey threw some money on the bar and stood.

He towered over her. Tess nodded and started to leave. She stopped and turned. “If you touch me again, you’ll draw back a bloody stump.” Without waiting for a response, she left.

* * *

Bailey grinned, reluctantly at first, before a wide smile creased his face. Chuckling to himself, he sauntered out into the warm evening. That Contessa had fire.  He’d let her get too close for a minute. He hadn’t been able help himself, not when he’d been touching her. She’d made him forget that he couldn’t afford to fall for anyone.

Even now, he wanted her so bad he could taste it. Everyone he’d ever known who’d fallen in love...or lust rather...had started making mistakes. Those emotions made you brain dead. In his line of work, mistakes could kill you.  He’d laid it on a little thick about mistreating bail jumpers, but it’d done the trick. She’d backed off and couldn’t wait to get out of there. Hell, he’d made sure of it. What did he care what she thought of him? Still, he couldn’t help feeling disappointed. He wanted to get to know her better. No strings, of course.               

“You’re an ass.” No use trying to deny it, he’d run scared because she stood up to him. Made him respect her. Made him like her. Why did he want that and why now?  He never had, but something about Tess made him stop and imagine how great it’d be to have someone in his life. He’d learned from meeting all kinds of people that the good ones were few and far between. 

He had to wait in town until his stitches were out. He’d see her again in a town this size. And, if he didn’t run into her by coincidence, well, he knew how to make things happen.  He felt they weren’t through with each other yet. And he sensed Tess would make him work for it if he wanted to get to know her. Fortunately, he looked forward to the fun. Putting his hands in his pockets, Bailey began to whistle Beethoven’s
Moonlight Sonata
as he walked up the street to his hotel room.

* * *

Tess awakened and showered by six o’clock the next morning. If she didn’t want to get near Bailey again, she had to drop off the bike early. She happened to know that the owner of the cycle shop opened by six-thirty every day. She was waiting when Rob arrived to open. Rob and his son unloaded the bike and Tess told them Bailey would be there at eight o’clock. She and the bounty hunter were like fire and oxygen. The inevitable explosion would be seen for miles. She refused to let herself think of how fun she’d have lighting the fuse.

When she stopped by the home health office to pick up messages, she heard that Mary Stuebner had called about Pyewacket. Tess phoned her first. “Mary, it’s Tess.”

“Happy birthday, honey. Did you have a good day?” Mary asked.

Not for anything would she tell Mary it had been like any other. Too pathetic for words. “Yes, thanks. How’re you doing? I’ll help with any arrangements you want to make.”

“So nice of you to offer, but it’s all set and the funeral’s at ten on Thursday. I do have one favor to ask. Mel is allergic to cats, so we can’t keep Pyewacket. Uncle Frank really liked you and I was wondering...could you take the cat? He wouldn’t be any trouble. He’s full grown and doesn’t scratch furniture or anything.” The pleading in Mary’s voice touched Tess.

“I don’t know. I’m on the road a lot. Besides, I’m going on vacation next week and I haven’t decided if I’m taking a trip or not. Who would feed him? He wouldn’t be used to my place, yet.”

“I'd be glad to come over and feed him if you decide to leave. It’s the least I can do. You cared enough to check on him yesterday. You’d be great with him.”

Tess grasped at the last straw. “I don’t know if my landlord allows cats in the house.”

“I've already taken care of that. I know his wife from my church group. I talked to her on the phone this morning and mentioned how helpful it would be if Pyewacket lived with you. She said she’d make it all right with him.”

Tess sighed. A stronger person would resist, but today she wasn’t that person. “Okay, you win. I can’t pick him up until after work today, though. Can you meet me over at Frank’s house around six? See you there.”

* * *

At the end of the day, Tess turned in her schedule and notes for the nurse who’d be covering her route and met Mary to get the cat. It didn’t help when Pyewacket came out to greet Tess with a deep-throated meow. Mary looked like she’d introduced a match made in heaven. Tess thought the cat could’ve at least hissed or displayed some aggression so she could gracefully back out on her agreement to become a cat owner. 

No such luck. She packed all the remaining cat food and accompanying paraphernalia in the back of the pickup. The black cat, ensconced in the carrier like an ancient Egyptian god, sat in the front seat. They started down the road with the cat periodically challenging her driving skills with his rumbling meows.

“I’m not becoming a cat person, I’m not becoming a cat person,” she chanted like a mantra. Her nightmare of turning into a little old lady with a cat was coming true. She looked over at the feline. “And I’m driving the speed limit, so be quiet.” Now, she was even talking to him. She was doomed.

The front tire blew about two miles from her house. She wrestled with the wheel to regain control of the skidding truck.

Tess pulled over and set the parking brake. Pyewacket glared at her with the disapproval cat owners all over the world endured on a daily basis. 

“I couldn’t help it. I’m as hungry as you are, so give me a break. What are you upset about? You won’t be the one changing the damn thing, so knock it off.” At least, she got in the last word.

“Meow.”

Almost.

She’d set the jack when she heard a car coming down the road. She looked up and saw an unfamiliar classic Cougar. It was eating up the road with the power of a V8 engine. Must be passing through.

She started pumping up the jack. Her tires were old and she’d changed her fair share of retreads. It wouldn’t take long. She heard the car crunch to a stop on the gravel roadside.

“Need help?” A now-familiar teasing voice sent a wave of irritation through her.

“If it isn’t Mr. S.D. Bailey. No thanks. Don’t let me keep you.” She absolutely refused to be drawn into a war of words with him. She had the truck jacked up far enough and started on the lug nuts. The first four loosened without trouble. She turned. “I know. Your parents used middle names of U.S. president. Simpson Delano?”

Bailey sauntered over to where she knelt and stood watching. “Nice try, Contessa. You’ll never guess so you should quit while you’re ahead.” He grinned. “Although, if my name were Simpson Delano, I guarantee you I’d hide it.”

She hated it when people hovered over her shoulder. The last lug nut held firm. She tightened her grip on the tire iron and yanked. It slipped and she fell back on her rear with a grunt. At the sound of a cough, she looked up and hissed, “Don’t even think about laughing. You haven’t seen me mad and you don’t want to.”

Bailey put his hand over his chest and vowed solemnly, “Cross my heart.” His twinkling eyes held another emotion, however. He extended his hand to help Tess up and she grudgingly accepted it. With one powerful motion, he pulled her to her feet.

“Thanks.” Tess had to admit she must’ve looked pretty funny sprawled in the dirt. As much as she’d like to blame him, it wasn’t his fault she had a flat tire or that his presence made her feel like a giddy teenager. She brushed the dust from her khakis.

“Let me help.”

“I’d have to turn in my ‘independent single woman’ card if I couldn’t change my own tire. I’ll bet you’ve never needed anyone.”

“I had a partner once,” he offered.

“And?”

“It didn’t work out. We called it quits. We were too competitive when it came to catching the bad guys.”

“Shocker. So now you ‘do it your way.’ My point exactly.”

“Contessa, let me loosen that stubborn lug nut. I promise I'll still respect you in the morning.” 

The man seemed determined to charm her. He had no idea how easy it was. She felt warm inside already and he hadn’t done anything.  Lord help her if she let him get to her! Maybe if she allowed him to play macho man, he’d leave. 

“Knock yourself out. I probably loosened it for you.” She dared him to disagree.

“I’m sure you did. If I were a little piece of metal, I sure as hell wouldn’t cross you.” The irresistible grin he wielded with such ease flashed.

Tess threw her hands up in defeat and laughed. He was fun to have around, even when he drove her crazy. “Well, I don’t seem to scare
you
at all. Here’s the tire iron.” She stepped back to let him get to the tire. He gave the offending part a twist and it loosened immediately.             

Figured.

Bailey finished unscrewing the nut and took the tire off. “I might as well finish up while I’m the one in the dirt.” He put the spare on in a matter of minutes and threw the old one in the bed of her pickup. 

“Are you headed home?” he asked as he wiped his hands on the legs of his worn Levis.

“Yes, I have to get my new roommate settled. He’s never been there before and I want to make him comfortable.” She turned and headed to the cab of her truck.

“Him?” A frown emerged, quickly snuffed. “You’re getting a male roommate? How're the fine citizens of Greenview going to take that?” 

If she didn’t know better, Tess could swear he sounded jealous. “Well, not that it would be any of their business, but this male is perfect for me.”

Bailey’s eyes narrowed.

“He comes when I call, doesn’t complain about my cooking and he loves to rub up against me, except all that long hair tickles.” She could almost see steam coming off of his body.

“Look, I don’t care to hear about...long hair tickles? Is this some kind of a joke?” Bailey said suspiciously.

“Why don’t you come and meet him. He’s in the truck.”             

“I didn’t see anyone in the truck. What’s—” He stopped when he saw Pyewacket.

Tess couldn’t help it. She started to laugh. Bailey reached out with one hand and grabbed the front placket of her flannel shirt. She felt like a fish being reeled in as he pulled her into his arms. He was strong, but she knew that. What bothered her was that she didn’t resist. She
wanted
to know what would happen next.

“Can’t you take a joke, Stanley Dwight?” Her voice sounded different, lower—like she was extending an invitation. What the hell?

“Well now, Contessa, that’s a good one on me.” He lowered his head to nuzzle her ear. “But, it shows me two things. You wanted me to think you were living with a man.
And
I didn’t like that one bit. What do you suppose that means?”

His warm breath in her ear created devastating quivers in her equilibrium. Tess found it hard to think over the pounding of her heart. “I...no, I didn’t say I lived with a man.” She couldn’t suppress a sigh as she leaned against him to support her suddenly shaky legs.

She spread her hands over his chest. Reveled at the heat. “Hmmm, I don’t know…what were you saying?” She couldn’t stop her sigh or the fact that her eyes were closing.

Bailey accepted her weight easily and shifted his grip to circle her waist. “I think it means we should get to know each other better. What do you think?” He switched his attention to her neck.

Damn, the man was good! Drowning in a warm sea of sensation, she didn’t want it to stop.

“Meoww.”

The discordant sound of an impatient Pyewacket brought Tess to the surface. She opened her eyes; surprised they still stood on the side of the road by her pickup. She’d lost track of where she was while Bailey worked his particular kind of magic. 

“I think it’s time I got the cat settled in.” She carefully stepped out of his arms and moved closer to the pickup door; relieved he released her without comment. She climbed into the seat, waved good-bye and left. In the rearview mirror, she saw him standing there, looking as good from a distance as close-up.

“Caught you looking,” Bailey murmured as he watched her pickup chug down the road. He had to hand it to her. She interested him and he couldn’t say that about many people. He was used to having the upper hand with women because he figured out what they wanted from him. Usually, it was money, security or a good time.

Not Tess. On the contrary, she seemed to go out of her way to avoid him, an unfamiliar tactic he didn’t like one bit. 

He turned and headed for his car, stopping when he came to the tire iron. Maybe he’d catch up with Tess and return it. He hopped into the Cougar and laid a patch in the road. He felt the rush of adrenaline that accompanied a chase, whether after a jumper or a woman.

He had a perfectly legitimate reason to follow her, didn’t he? A few minutes later, Bailey saw the red pickup turning onto Paul Street. As he made the turn, Tess swung into a narrow driveway. The garage door opened and swallowed the pickup before closing.

Bailey circled the block, figuring he should give Tess a few minutes to unload that monstrosity of a cat before knocking on her door. He completed the loop and parked on the street in front of her small white house. He made his living observing people and places in order to learn about them and he did so automatically. 

Tess had an eye for beauty and a green thumb to go with it.  The yard was immaculate, lush and green. A profusion of blooms spilled from every flowerbed, creating an explosion of brilliant colors. Ground cover made up of tiny purple and white blossoms. Roses in white, pink, and red. Against the fence, she had orange tiger lilies. He remembered those from his parents’ yard. His mother loved tiger lilies. And lilacs. He’d bet Tess had lilac bushes somewhere. She had to. Maybe they weren’t in bloom in the summer.

The house and yard combined to welcome guests into the comfort and peacefulness of a home. To a man whose idea of a plant was something made of silk, this looked like the Garden of Eden. And...it came equipped with an Eve. Bailey strode up the sidewalk and pushed the doorbell.

Tess opened the door. She’d discarded the flannel shirt and the t-shirt accentuated her curves. Her eyes widened. The hunter in him recognized the wariness in them. He also noticed the flush in her cheeks. Good.

“How did you...what are you doing—?”

“Hey, Contessa.” Bailey enjoyed watching her sputter. It told him she was more aware of him than she pretended. “Missing something?" He held up the tire iron.

"I was so happy the tire was changed, I completely forgot about it. Thanks.”

“I thought if I could catch up with you, I'd return it tonight.” Bailey congratulated himself on how plausible that sounded. She didn’t have to know he could’ve found her in a small town like Greenview in about five minutes. “Can I come in?”

“I...it’s getting late...” Tess blushed and he was delighted.

“I’m not a vampire. You’ll be safe,” he teased.

She grinned and opened the door. “Idiot.” The entry opened directly into the living room. It looked lived in, which made Bailey feel comfortable. He didn’t have to worry about sitting on some antique or smudging a glass-topped coffee table. He’d been in his share of those places, too. 

“Sit down. I was letting Pyewacket get used to the place.”  Tess disappeared into what looked to be the direction of the kitchen.

Bailey sank into a brown recliner. It was a perfect fit for his long legs. He resisted the urge to trip the lever and lean back. “Where have I heard that name before?”

She returned with the cat in her arms. “From the movie,
Bell, Book and Candle
, I expect. Kim Novak’s character named her cat Pyewacket. Remember the patient I told you about that died?” Tess took a seat on the sofa and put the animal on the floor in front of Bailey’s chair. “His niece asked if I'd take the cat because her husband is allergic. I tried to get out of it, but...what could I say?”

“Hi, cat.” He reached down to pet Pyewacket.

The black devil flattened his ears with a hiss and swiped unsheathed claws across his outstretched hand. Bailey let out a “Damn!” and threw himself backward against the recliner. He stared at the red stripes, darkening in a few places with freshly welling blood.

“Pyewacket, bad! I’m so sorry. He’s in a strange house, so maybe he’s scared of you. Does it hurt?” Tess rushed over to Bailey and knelt down.

“I'll live. I don’t know about ‘Satan’s Spawn’ over there.” He had to admit it stung like hell. However, he was willing to take a little pain if it meant Tess would fuss over him. She cradled his wounded hand in hers and inspected the scratches.

“Where’s a nurse when I need one?” He was rewarded by a shy grin from Tess.

“We'll muddle through, somehow. It’s a good thing I don’t have to amputate. I’m a little rusty. I'll be back with some antiseptic cream and bandages.” She rose and left the room.

Bailey scanned the perimeter for the lethal black assassin. He saw Pyewacket sitting in a window seat facing the front yard, casually grooming himself. As if he knew Bailey was watching him, Pyewacket looked over and yawned before continuing his grooming.

“All right, cat, if that’s the way you want it. You stay out of my way and I'll stay out of yours.” A flick of golden eyes in Bailey’s direction indicated acknowledgement.

“Here we go. This will fix you up in no time.” Tess knelt in front of the recliner.

Bailey gladly offered his injured hand to her. “I was more surprised than hurt. I usually get along well with animals.”

“Well, cat scratches can get infected. I'd hate to see that happen. I still can’t get over Pyewacket. He’s so sweet.”

Sweet, my ass. That cat almost lost one of its lives. He’s lucky a lady’s present.
“Well, maybe I moved too suddenly and scared him.” Bailey fell silent as Tess smoothed ointment into his wounds. Her hands were strong, but feminine. They made him feel—if he were someone given to exaggeration—pampered.

He leaned against the headrest and closed his eyes. Just for a minute, he thought. He found he liked the feeling of being tended. Cared for.

“Bailey...Bailey.” 

He felt someone shaking him and woke up, wary of danger. Without opening his eyes, he grabbed the intruder and pulled. A soft, warm body fell against him. That brought him fully aware.

It was Tess.

And she felt good, a perfect fit. The smell of the lilac scent she wore teased his nostrils. He stared into her eyes. From now on, her name would always make him think of sunshine and summer.