Hill Country Hero (12 page)

CiCi had been pondering the problem of Rondelle and his friends all night. True, they’d had their third strike and by all rights she should send them packing, but they’d seemed so contrite. She desperately wanted to talk to Jake, but he was in San Antonio. That left Daddy—not her first choice, but it was something she had to do.

It was eight o’clock before she made that dreaded call to Houston. The sheriff was involved in this one, and Daddy would be furious if she didn’t keep him in the loop. Marianne answered on the first ring.

“Hi, Mama. Did I call too early?”

“Are you kidding? Your daddy was up before the sun. Swear to goodness, that man makes me crazy,” she said with a laugh. “Is everything okay?” Her mom’s intuition was clearly working well.

“We’ve had a problem with some of the campers. I’d like to talk to Daddy about it.”

“Sure, I’ll get him.”

Daddy answered within thirty seconds. “What’s wrong, baby girl?”

CiCi gave him a synopsis of the teens’ antics. The camp was legally responsible for the kids—and sleazy lawyers and frivolous lawsuits were a dime a dozen—so
CiCi knew that Daddy would call his attorney as soon as they disconnected.

“I’ll be there before noon. Don’t worry, we’ll take care of this.” Texas Bob hung up before she could say word. But what would she say? I’m sorry, I screwed up? I’m so inept I can’t even handle a bunch of kids?

Back to the immediate problem—what would she do with the little darlings until the cavalry came to the rescue? Then it came to her. She’d bore them to death.

CiCi found Greg having breakfast with his staff. She poured a cup of coffee and sat down. “I suppose you’ve all heard about what happened.”

From the sheepish looks, CiCi knew that Rondelle and crew had been the topic of breakfast conversation.

“Yes, ma’am, we certainly did.” A petite counselor was the first to speak up.

“I have an idea.” CiCi didn’t know if this would work, but it was all she had.

“What is it?” Greg asked.

“I think they need some intensive academics. Something they’ll find really tedious. I’m talking a couple of days of sheer, agonizing boredom.” She flashed a perky smile she didn’t feel. “Does anyone have a suggestion?”

“Math.” That suggestion was offered by a lanky criminal justice major.

“Oh, yes,” the petite blonde dance major concurred. “That stuff puts me to sleep.”

“Do we have any math majors?” CiCi had to squelch a laugh when Greg raised his hand. He looked like a math geek.

“Looks like you’re elected. We’ll offer them a day of trying to figure out if train A leaves station C fifteen minutes before train B leaves station D, and then factor in X miles per hour to decide which one gets to point E first.”

Greg looked a bit green, but like a good boy, he agreed. “Okay, I’m game. I hope this works.”

“So do I,” CiCi agreed. “So do I.”

I
T WAS ALMOST TIME FOR LUNCH
when Texas Bob and Mackenzie roared up in a brand-new black Hummer.

Mac hopped out of the truck and grabbed her sister in a hug that almost took CiCi’s breath away. For a tiny little thing, she could give a major-league hug.

“When Daddy said he was driving up, I decided to come along.”

“He told you what’s happening, right?”

Mac made a face. “Yeah. He’s already made an appointment with the sheriff, and he spent almost an hour on the phone with Jameson.” Jameson Swift was the Hurst family lawyer and the attorney for the foundation. “He thinks our liability is limited because we provide adequate supervision. You and I both know those kids are sneaky little devils.”

Mac had pegged that one right.

“Where did Daddy go?”

Mac pointed in the direction of the main lodge where Greg was conducting his algebra seminar in the dining hall—complete with whiteboard and dry-erase markers. “He said he’s going to have a chat with the kids.”

CiCi sprinted off, hoping to catch Texas Bob before he blew his stack. Much to her surprise, she found him talking quietly to the teens. And even more startling, they seemed to be listening.

She sat down to hear what he had to say. Texas Bob could spin a tall tale with the best of them. According to him he’d had to walk two miles uphill each way to school—in the snow. Oh, puleeze, the man grew up in South Texas. His next white lie was that he started with nothing but a dream and ten bucks in his pocket. Grandma Hurst would bust a gut on that one.
He went on to say that if he could make something of himself, the boys could, too.

Texas Bob ended his talk with, “I know this was your third strike, and letting you off probably isn’t a smart idea. But you caught me on a good day. However—” he glared at each kid separately “—this is a one-time deal. Sorta like the red-light special sales at my car lot. You screw this up and you’re gone. You won’t ever be able to come back. Got it?”

The kids nodded. They were getting good at that nod ding thing.

“Glad to hear it. I’m countin’ on ya. I know you won’t let me down. Right?”

Rondelle was the first to speak. “Yes, sir. We understand.” He looked at his compatriots. They all gave an affirmative thumbs-up. Texas Bob might look like a big teddy bear, and he might act like a buffoon sometimes, but he wasn’t anyone’s fool.

“Now I’m taking my girls to lunch. CiCi, where’s your sister?”

“She’s outside.” Lunch? Was that a euphemism for having a chat with the sheriff?

The minute they walked out the door, Texas Bob reverted to Winston Hurst—all business. “Where’s Culpepper?”

“He said there was a family emergency so he went to San Antonio last night.”

“He’d better not be pulling a fast one.”

“I don’t think so. He was really upset when he left.”

Daddy shrugged. “In that case I guess it’s okay. We’re meeting Sheriff Johnson at the Starlight Diner.” He gave his daughter a wink. “They have the best chicken-fried steak I’ve ever put in my mouth. And you know I parley a whole lot better when I’m full. It never hurts to have a good relationship with the law.” Actually, he negotiated quite well under any circumstance.

On impulse, CiCi kissed her dad’s cheek. “I love you, Daddy. I’m sorry things got so messed up. I didn’t want to disappoint you.”

Texas Bob put his hands on her shoulders. She was tall, but he still had six inches on her. “Sweetheart, you’ve never disappointed me. I’m so proud of my girls I almost pop my buttons every time I see one of you.” He emphasized that by squeezing her tight.

So that’s where Mac had learned to do the bear hug.

W
HILE
T
EXAS
B
OB AND THE SHERIFF
were talking, CiCi and Mac indulged in a girl chat.

“Do you know why Jake went to San Antonio?” Mac asked.

“Not really. He said he had a family emergency and I believe him.” There was that niggle of a doubt, but even if he had a harem of curvaceous women why should it matter to her?

Mac obviously realized this wasn’t a safe topic, so she went on to another. “I can’t wait until you get home. There’s something I want to talk to you about.”

CiCi was also in need of sisterly venting, but she wasn’t sure that was a good idea. All her thoughts were about Jake Culpepper. The problem was she didn’t exactly know what to say. Was she the victim of unrequited lust or was it something more profound?

The only interest Jake had shown in her was some flirting and a couple of kisses. Fine, so they’d made out in the kitchen but that didn’t mean they had a relationship.

She had only a few days left to make Jake want her, or fall in love with her, or whatever. Wait a minute! She’d been there and done that—married a jock who got tons of female attention, and had her heart broken. Sheesh! She was losing her mind again.

“I’ll be home soon. We can get caught up on all my gossip then.” That should give her some breathing room. “So what do you want to talk to me about? I’m dying of curiosity.”

Mac was a true blonde with the tendency to blush. And when she did, it was something to behold. Her normal alabaster skin didn’t turn a nice rosy pink. On the contrary, she was the only person CiCi had ever known who could actually get fire-engine red.

“Good Lord. What’s the problem?” She hoped it wasn’t what she was thinking

“You remember when I told you about my Starbucks dates with Cole?” Mac answered, somehow managing to get redder by the minute.

CiCi was almost afraid to ask. “Did something else happen?”

“Not exactly.” Mac’s hesitancy told her everything she didn’t want to know. “So what
exactly
did you do?” She held her hands up like a Stop sign. “Wait. I don’t want any specifics.”

“It’s probably what you think.” Mac rubbed her forehead. “I do need some advice. But it can wait until you get home. I’m not planning to do anything silly in the meantime.”

Thank God! Of all the people who shouldn’t get involved with an athlete, Mac was at the top of the list.

But who was she to talk? Her name would be in the number two spot.

It was almost noon the next day before CiCi saw Jake pull into the camp driveway and head straight for his cabin. He was normally upbeat, but when he left for a run just a few minutes after his arrival he seemed ready to chew nails. Whatever was happening wasn’t good.

Almost two hours later, CiCi wandered down to the river and saw Jake sitting under the big oak. Against her better judgment, she strolled out to join him. This was either going to be the biggest mistake of her life or the best thing she’d ever done.

Jake was at the picnic table with his head in his hands, the picture of dejection. His hair was still wet from a shower.

“Do you want some company?” she asked, still not sure she was doing the right thing.

“Yeah, sure.” He scooted over to make room for her on the bench.

This was a pregnant pause if ever CiCi had known one. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

Jake glanced at her almost as if he’d forgotten she was sit ting there. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude when I left without any explanation. I had some family stuff to take care of.”

It didn’t appear he was going to elaborate so it was up to
CiCi to keep the conversation going. “Daddy and Mac drove up yesterday.”

“They did?” That got his attention.

“He said he wanted to talk to the sheriff about Rondelle and the others, but I suspect he wanted to see how I was doing. He’s a bit overprotective.”

Jake laughed. “You don’t say!”

He laughed—that was encouraging.

“I think he’d like to have us cloistered. Heaven help Molly when she hits her teens.”

Jake shot her an assessing look. “You’re lucky to have such a nice family.” He chuckled mirthlessly. “Although I’m not sure
nice
describes Texas Bob, but I suppose he tries.”

“He really is a kind man, although he can be a bit over the top.”

CiCi didn’t know what to say next, so she welcomed the silence.

Jake was the first to speak. “My mom was a single parent. She worked two jobs to keep us afloat. Regardless of how much we were struggling she gladly took in my two cousins when their mother dumped them. She couldn’t bear to see them lost in the foster system, especially when there were relatives who could do the job. She never had it easy, but now that I have money, she has a nice home and no financial worries.”

“That’s kind of you.” CiCi didn’t know where this was going, so she kept her response brief.

“I went to San Antonio because my cousin Darrell was in jail and I needed to talk to an attorney.”

“I’m sorry. What happened?”

“He’s stupid, that’s what happened.”

For a moment CiCi thought he’d leave it at that. Then he continued with his story.

“Darrell has a drinking-and-driving problem and he got
busted for the third time. I decided that instead of bailing him out, I’d leave him in jail for a while. Once he goes to court, it’s out of my hands.” Jake turned to look at her. “Personally, I think he needs to get scared silly.”

CiCi reached for his hand. She could tell that his decision, right or wrong, was weighing on him.

“Darrell and Dwayne have been hell-raisers since they hit puberty. I’ve bailed them out of so many scrapes I can’t even count them all. I am so tired of it,” he said with a deep sigh.

“And that’s why the situation with Rondelle and his friends has bothered you so much.”

“Yeah. Sometimes I feel like I’m swimming upstream. Guess it’s too bad you can’t choose your family.”

CiCi really couldn’t relate. If she had the choice, she’d pick her family every time. Without thinking about it, she wrapped her arm around Jake’s waist. This man needed a hug and that was one thing the Hurst family did really well.

I
T HAD BEEN A TERRIBLE WEEKEND
. Even at his best, Darrell wasn’t exactly pleasant, and when he didn’t get his way he was downright horrible. Jake could only imagine how his cousin had reacted to the news that Jake wasn’t going to bail him out again.

However, things were definitely looking up. Jake wondered if CiCi realized she’d moved from rubbing his back to caressing his neck. He didn’t know if it meant anything, or if it was simply her way of comforting him. Whatever it was, he liked it. In fact—try as he might to avoid it—he liked her, a lot.

When her hand slipped down to the small of his back, Jake felt his temperature elevate. He’d been seduced by women who were far more experienced, but CiCi’s touch was real and honest.

Deep down, Jake knew that what he was about to do was a mistake, but his good sense and his need for love were
duking it out. Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—his heart won.

“I’m probably going to regret this,” he muttered, pulling CiCi close. She smelled like spring, rainwater, and all things girly. It was an incredible aphrodisiac. He nuzzled her neck, breathing in the scent of her hair. It was as if his body had decided on a course of action all on its own. If he had half a brain, he wouldn’t be nibbling on her earlobe. She was still the boss’s daughter. But for now, he just didn’t care.

Jake shifted on the bench and settled her in his lap. That was better—much, much better. It gave him perfect access to everything he wanted to touch, see, caress and kiss. He started with her neck. He’d always been a sucker for a beautiful neck and CiCi’s was gorgeous.

Goose bumps danced on her beautiful skin in the wake of the slow, warm kisses he placed down her shoulder. The thought of having her naked in his bed was wreaking havoc with his mind, not to mention his sex drive.

A noise nearby brought the real world back into focus. What was he thinking? They were in a public place. Kids could walk by.

Apparently CiCi realized the same thing. “Oh, my God!”

Jake was having an “oh, my God” experience, too, but he didn’t think she meant it in quite the same way he did.

She jumped off his lap. Damn, she was cute.