Her Cowboy Daddy (16 page)

“Look, if you want him, be my guest, okay, Maisy?”

“Geez, who the heck peed in your cornflakes this morning?” she grumbled, sliding off the counter.

Scarlett felt awful for snapping at her friend. Damn it, she was making a mess of everything here lately. “I’m sorry, Maisy.”

She stilled, but didn’t turn back around.

“Really, I am. I know you’re just being nice, it’s just…”

“Just?” Her friend turned back around with a twinkle in her eye. “C’mon, girl, spill! Give me all the juicy details! Don’t leave me dyin’ here!”

Scarlett couldn’t help but giggle. The girl did have a flair for drama and a love for gossip that was unmatched. “The thing is, I don’t know where we stand right now.”

“Why not? He looked fit to be tied over ya.”

“Really?” She nibbled her lower lip.

“Yeah, of course, girl! Use those eyes in that pretty head of yours! He’s over the moon for you!”

“I was sort of mean to him,” she admitted.

“I gathered as much. But, you know, there are ways to make up that kind of thing to a man.”

Scarlett shook her head at Maisy’s exaggerated wink. “You’re impossible to talk to!” she giggled.

“Really? I seem to be doin’ okay. So, what was the fight about?”

She shrugged a shoulder and began to recount the money in front of her.

“C’mon, you know you want to talk about it. And if you don’t, too bad.”

“Twenty-five, twenty-six…”

“You know I can’t be put off that easily, Scarlett! Let’s hear it!”

“You don’t give up, do you?” she sighed, dropping the bills on the table in front of her.

“It’s my strong suit,” Maisy grinned.

“Fine. If you must know, he wanted to give me some money.”

“Okay… and?”

“And what? I didn’t want it.”

“Why not? Is it stolen? Because, you know, as long as it can’t be traced—”

“
Maisy!
”

“What? I’m just sayin’—”

“Thanks for the advice, but it’s not that.”

“What, then?”

“Just… I don’t know. He wants me to move out of my apartment and I don’t want to.”

Maisy tilted her head to the side, making her strawberry-blond curls tumble over her face, which she impatiently brushed away. “Girl, who are you kidding? You hate where you live!”

“Okay, yes, but if I’m going to move, I want it to be on my own terms.”

“You’ve got to be kiddin’ me.”

“What?” she exclaimed defensively. “If I don’t want to move, that’s my right, no matter what the reason! And that’s something Colton just doesn’t seem to get.”

“Why does he want you to move?”

Scarlett worked her bottom lip between her teeth. “He wants me to be safer.”

“Well, shoot, there are a lot worse things a man can want for you, believe me.”

“It’s sweet, I know, but—”

“It’s not just sweet. He’s protecting you—don’t you see that?”

“Yeah, but…”

“But what, Scarlett? Do you know how many girls would
kill
for a guy like that? Someone who wants to keep them safe, who provides?”

She couldn’t help but duck her head at Maisy’s scolding. Put like that, it did make her feel rather silly for how she’d reacted earlier in the evening. “But we haven’t known each other very long.”

“So?” she challenged. “Doesn’t that make him even more special? How much did he leave you in that envelope?”

“I don’t know,” Scarlett admitted. “I didn’t look.”

“So open it then.”

She withdrew the envelope from her apron pocket and lifted the flap. When she peeked inside, she couldn’t help but gasp. It was full of crisp hundred-dollar bills and there had to be at least forty of them.

“Oh, my word,” Maisy whistled as she peered over Scarlett’s shoulder. “What did you say he did for a livin’ again?”

“He, um, he rides in the rodeos.”

“Hot damn, girl. So you’re tellin’ me he risked his neck for you to get this money, and you practically threw it in his face?” Maisy shook her head and tsk-tsked.

“I just don’t want to owe him!” she burst out. “I don’t want him to feel like he… like he owns me, you know?”

“So don’t owe him,” her friend replied as though it was the simplest thing in the world. “He said it was a gift, didn’t he? Didn’t make you sign no promissory note?”

“Very funny,” she snorted.

“No, I’m not the one bein’ funny. Now, get counted up so you can get out of here and catch that hunk of yours and tell him how you feel.”

Scarlett sighed wistfully. “Do you really think it’ll be that easy?”

“Did you see the way he looked at you, honey? That, combined with givin’ you more money than you’d make here in a month, maybe two—yeah, I think it’ll be that easy. But you better hurry—I’m only gonna give you this one chance, and if you screw it up, I’m gonna do everything I can think of to turn his attentions.”

She couldn’t help but laugh. Maisy was always good for a laugh. “Thanks for the warning.”

“I figure it’s the least I can do. But consider yourself warned—I’ve got a secret weapon and I’m not afraid to use it.” Maisy posed provocatively with one hand on her hip and her lips pursed.

“Alright, I hear you, I hear you,” she giggled as she began to count again.

Maisy went to finish up the sweeping and double-check the bathrooms for cleanliness and without her constant talking, Scarlett was able to finish tallying up her shift’s total in no time. It wasn’t much, but she always felt pride fill her as she stuffed the bills in her apron pocket, knowing she’d worked hard for what she’d earned. Maybe Maisy was right—maybe she could just explain that to Colton. If she did it in just the right way, maybe he’d even understand.

“You ready to blow this joint?” Maisy called out.

“You better believe it.”

The pair locked up and stood outside for a time, chatting. Scarlett always kept Maisy company as she smoked one last cig before heading home, though she declined the proffered cigarette.

“Suit yourself,” she shrugged a shoulder. “More for me. You sure you don’t need a ride?” she asked as she flicked ash onto the sidewalk.

“No, I’ll be fine.”

“Gonna call that cowboy of yours?”

“Something like that,” she giggled.

“Atta girl. Still,” she cast a dubious eye at the sky, “it looks like it’s gonna rain.”

“I’ll be okay, I promise.”

“Okay. See you tomorrow.” With a little wave, Maisy walked off, cigarette held high.

Scarlett wasted no time in dialing Colton’s number. “Please pick up,” she muttered to herself as she listened to the phone ring on the other line. “Um, hey, Colton. Listen, it’s me and… I’d really like to talk. Could you give me a call back?”

She hung up the phone dejectedly just in time to see that Maisy was pulling out of the parking lot. She could call her, she supposed, tell her she’d changed her mind, but surely Colton would call her back soon. She held the cell phone close, checking the clock every few seconds and doubting her decision more and more as time passed. For a reason she couldn’t quite explain, she’d caught a chill, despite the balmy summer night.

She debated back and forth on whether she should call again. No, she’d seem needy—but maybe he’d missed seeing her name pop up the first time? Screw it, she told herself as she hit his name. When the phone rang through to voicemail a second time, she felt crushed. He wasn’t avoiding her calls, was he?

And to top it off, there was an eerie feeling creeping down her spine that she couldn’t name. It didn’t matter that it probably meant nothing—it still had her on edge.

“Colton, it’s Scarlett. Please call me back. I need a ride, and… listen, I know how weird this is gonna sound, and it’s probably nothing, but… I feel like someone’s watching me. Can you come get me?” She hung up quickly, embarrassed how frightened and pitiful her voice had sounded at the end. If she could have erased his voicemail via mind control, she would have done it.

Then she heard a harsh, jagged cough behind her, making her freeze. She’d know that cough anywhere.

* * *

“When you called me, I thought tonight was gonna be for celebratin’,” Jason commented as he sat down beside his brother at the bar. “But I’m guessin’ by that look on your face that that’s not the case.”

“Have a beer.” Colton morosely pushed it toward him before popping the top off his third bottle.

“Whoa, slow down there, little bro. Or at least give me some time to catch up.”

Colton’s only response was a grunt before he tipped the bottle and began to drink. The cool liquid felt good going down, even though it didn’t do much to improve his mood.

“So, let me take a stab at it. If I had to take a guess for that sour face you’re wearin’, I’d say she didn’t want the money.”

“How’d you know?”

“Life experience, little bro. Hell, Melisa would have thrown all four thousand in my face,” he chuckled as he took a swig of his beer. “You’ve got a lot to learn about women, Colt. And I do mean
a lot
.”

“Thanks for the news bulletin,” he grumbled. Just then, his phone began to vibrate on the counter.

“That her?”

“Yep.” He pushed ‘decline’ and turned it face-down on the bar.

“You ain’t gonna talk to her now? That’s your brilliant strategy? Hoo, boy.”

“Leave me alone, Jas.”

“If you’d wanted me to leave you alone, I reckon you wouldn’t have called.”

“Well, maybe I made a mistake. Seem to be makin’ a lot of those here lately.”

“Yeah, and you’re makin’ another right now.”

Colton cut his eyes at him. “How do you figure?”

“You obviously care about the girl, Colt. So, be a man, pick up the phone, and tell her.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“Why not?”

“Maybe she doesn’t care about me back.”

“Why?” Jason hooted with laughter, irritating Colt even further. “Because she wouldn’t take your money? That don’t mean a thing, little brother, not a thing. See, women like to feel like they can take care of themselves. You basically just told her that you don’t think she can.”

“I did not! I was just tryin’ to help! I—”

“Did she ever
ask
for your help?” Jason asked casually, wearing a smile much too smug for Colton’s liking.

“No, but—”

“Exactly. That’s what I’m sayin’, man. If she needs your help, she’ll ask.
Then
you can ride in wearin’ that white armor to save the day.”

“But what if she doesn’t
realize
she needs my help?”

“Then I’d let it lie, bro. But that’s just my opinion. You know, you can keep followin’ your own advice, or listen to the one of us who’s been married for five years. But, you know. Do what you want.”

Colton rolled his eyes skyward and took another long swig. When he thought about it, he had to admit that his brother had made some valid points, however small. He and Scarlett hadn’t been together that long—certainly not long enough for him to think he had a say in where she lived. He slid his phone off the counter and took a look at the screen. Damn, he’d missed another call from Scarlett. With a click of a button, he began listening to his voicemail. Just hearing her voice—and the remorse he imagined he could hear coming through the phone—was enough to make him smile. But when the second message came on, and she mentioned someone watching her, every hair on his neck stood straight up.

“I’ve got to go,” he said, standing abruptly and tossing a twenty on the counter.

“Nah, keep it.” Jason scooped the bill off the counter and put it in his brother’s hand. “You’ve shot your wad for the day. This one’s on me.”

* * *

Scarlett’s heart was going ninety-to-nothing as she stared into Wade’s dark, cold eyes. They were black as obsidian—funny, once upon a time she’d thought they were sexy and mysterious. Now they just chilled her to the bone. “W-Wade.”

“Well, howdy, Miss Scarlett.” He drew closer. “Is that how your new boyfriend talks to ya?”

“My n-new boyfriend?”

“Oh, c’mon.” He grinned, his teeth stark white and glinting threateningly in the moonlight. “I saw him here. That
was
him, wasn’t it? Big ol’ guy with the cowboy hat?”

“You… you
saw
him?”

“I’ve been here for a while.” He shrugged as though this was no big news.

“A while?” she echoed. So perhaps the feeling she’d had of being watched had been more than paranoia after all. “What are you doing here, Wade?”

“I figured you’d need a ride,” he leered. “Plus, since you’re done with your shift, I guessed you’d have money to replace those beers you threw out.”

“Oh, um…” She could smell the alcohol on his clothes and breath already, the repugnant odor making her step away. He really didn’t need to drink any more. “Maybe next time,” she hedged. “Rent is coming due and—”

“Don’t give me that,” he snapped, turning nasty quick. “I know you’ve got the dough. Don’t think you can hold out on me, bitch.” He lunged for her and grabbed her apron, pulling it off her in one tug and spilling its contents onto the sidewalk. Along with the thirty-seven dollars and change she’d earned, the envelope fell too.

Scarlett held her breath and waited, hoping he’d grab the cash and run. Instead, he picked up the envelope and pulled back the flap. When he saw what was inside, he gave her a grin and let out a low whistle.

“Where you livin’ nowadays, the Ritz?” He chuckled at his own joke and began to stuff the envelope into his pocket. “Thanks, baby.”

“Don’t call me that!” Scarlett felt anger consume her so quickly that she sprang into action without pausing to think. She just couldn’t let him do this to her again. He’d bullied her for the last time—he wasn’t going to show up and think he could take her money any time he wanted it. “Give that back!”

With one hand, Wade shoved her backwards before she’d managed to work the envelope free. “What do you think you’re doin’? Have you lost your mind?” he growled.

“I said
give it back!
” she demanded, stamping her foot.

His eyes were narrowed into slits of fury, but for some reason, as he watched her, his expression cleared. “Okay.” He pulled the envelope out of his pocket and held it in the air. “If you want it, come and get it.”