Lonestar Homecoming (18 page)

Michael's eyes turned thoughtful. “Unless they were afraid she could identify them. Has she ever been with Cid when you weren't along?”

“Lots of times. He would often pick her up after school and take her to the park. She loved him.”

“You think he genuinely loved her?”

She nodded. “He was going to adopt her. Like I said, the marriage was all for Hope. I thought we could have a safe and happy life.”

“Could she have seen something she shouldn't have?”

“I suppose so, but she's never mentioned anything odd to me.”

“I'd like to ask her a few questions.”

“No!” Gracie lowered her voice again. “She's been through enough, Michael. I don't want her to live in fear too. Right now she thinks we're safe, and I'd like to keep it that way.There's no reason to question her. I'm sure she would have told me if she'd seen anything strange.”

“Even if Cid asked her not to?”

Gracie hesitated. “I think she'd still tell me.We're very close.”

“Kids can be funny though,” he said. “If she thinks she'll get in trouble, she might keep quiet. Maybe Cid took her somewhere you'd told him not to and she was afraid to tell you.”

Gracie forgot to breathe. “The park,” she whispered. “I told her she couldn't go to the park anymore.There had been too many shootings, even in broad daylight. Cid used to take her there several times a week. He argued with me about it but finally gave in.” Could they have lied to her—Cid and her own daughter?

And if Cid had taken Hope there, had she seen something that put her life in danger now? Gracie glanced at Michael. Her story hadn't disgusted him.That had to count for something.

Michael sat a mere three inches away on the sofa, with the laptop open. The glare from the screen revealed the concentration on his face.Maybe she could sit here and study him without his noticing. His lashes were longer than she'd realized. His bulk was enough to make her seem like a child beside him. If she scooted closer, would he wrap his arm around her again?

She wasn't about to play with fire and try it.

She scooted to the edge of the sofa and stood. “I need something to drink. How about you?”

He nodded. “That'd be great.We have any iced tea?”

“I'll get it.” She escaped to the kitchen and put her palms on her hot cheeks. She was thankful he'd been oblivious to her wayward thoughts. She poured tea over ice and carried the glasses back to the living room. This time she'd sit in the chair.

“Here you go.” She handed him the glass and moved toward the chair.

His hand shot out and gripped hers. His gaze warmed her. “I'm sorry I was a grouch earlier.”

“Well then, you're forgiven.”

“Thanks. I think.” He patted the cushion beside him. “Sit here with me. I'm going to find out what's going on, Gracie. I might need to ask you questions.”

Just don't ask why my face is red.
She perched on the edge of the sofa cushion and wished for a fan.The warm breeze through the screen did nothing to cool her hot cheeks. She felt like she was fifteen, having her first crush. Obsession, that's what she was experiencing. And probably only because he'd rescued her.What woman wouldn't develop a bit of a crush on the man who'd saved her and her daughter? Her knight in shining armor.That's all this feeling was. And it would pass.

“What is Hope's father's name?”

She leaned closer and glanced at the screen. “Jason Wheeler.”

Michael typed in the name Jason Wheeler and Phoenix. He surfed through a few pages, clicking in and out again when it became obvious it was the wrong person. Gracie kept her eyes glued to the screen so she didn't watch Michael instead.

She had other senses that weren't easy to deceive.The warmth of his arm nearly touching hers permeated her skin.The spicy scent of his cologne filled her head. Even the deep timbre of his voice entranced her.

Michael made a noise, and she blinked to bring the screen into focus. “What is it?”

“An obituary. Is this the guy?” He turned the computer toward her.

She stared at the screen, saw the dark curls and even darker eyes. “That's Jason,” she said.

He flipped the computer back around. “It says memorials are to go to the National Kidney Foundation. Maybe he had kidney disease. It doesn't mention a living daughter. Just his dad and a brother.”

“Tyler?”

“Yes, that's the brother mentioned.”

“I wonder if that's why Sam called me?”

“Didn't he say something about Jason's estate?”

She nodded. “He sounded upset. I never called him back.” She leaned closer so she could read the screen. Big mistake, because her skin touched his arm.
Read the screen and get away
, she told herself.

“He died two months ago.” She gasped. “It says Sam is the governor now.Wow. He's moved up in the world.” She quickly moved back to her place.

“Governor? And you didn't know?”

She shook her head. “I haven't heard from the family in years. I wonder why Sam is just now calling.”

“Maybe he wants to see Hope because she's all he has left of Jason.”

“As far as I know, Sam didn't know Hope existed. I don't think Jason ever told his parents he had a child.”

“He could have confessed it before he died.”

She sucked in her lower lip. “I guess so. I should call Sam back.” She glanced at the clock above the fireplace. “It's only nine thirty in Arizona.”

“No rush, I guess.You can call him tomorrow.” He closed the lid on the MacBook, then leaned forward and set it on the coffee table. When he leaned back, he stretched his arms above his head. “I'm sick and tired of sitting here.Wish we could go for a walk.”When he put his arms down, his right one came down along the back of sofa, right above Gracie's head.

She smelled the musky scent of his skin. If she tipped her head back just a bit, it would rest on his arm.Would he slide it down into an embrace? Her pulse jumped in her throat when she turned her head and caught him staring at her. She glanced away before she was sure of his expression. If she didn't know better, she'd swear she saw longing in his eyes. Heat spread through her, and she knew if she didn't get up and leave, it would be too late. She'd turn and throw herself into his arms.

She eased her head back the tiniest fraction until her hair brushed his arm. The electricity from the contact enveloped her neck. Her cheeks were hot enough to melt marshmallows.

He leaned closer, and his breath stirred the air between them. “Gracie?” His voice was husky.

She was lost. Turning her head, she stared up into his face. The intensity in his eyes made her lean in to him. Her eyelids began to drift shut. His arm came down around her shoulders, and he pulled her closer. She lifted her face a fraction, and she felt herself nearly ooze into his arms, like a jellyfish. His head came down, and his lips brushed hers in a touch so soft it barely registered. His breath quickened, and so did hers. She reached up and touched the stubble on his cheeks in a caress. His lips came down again, firmer this time. Her hand slid to his chest and she entwined her fingers in his shirt.

She couldn't think, couldn't register anything more than the taste of his mouth and the scent of his breath.

“Daddy?”

They both jerked. Gracie tore her lips away from Michael's to see Jordan standing in the doorway, rubbing her eyes. Gracie leaped to her feet. “I'd better get her back to bed.” She escaped up the stairs to the sound of Michael's low laughter.

15

E
VEN THOUGH
M
ICHAEL WAS TRAPPED ON THE SOFA FOR SEVERAL DAYS,
Gracie managed to evade any reference to the charged kiss they'd shared. She didn't know how to deal with it herself, let alone talk about it with him. Several times he tried to bring it up, and she danced away from the subject.

She mulled over the realization of why she'd climbed on Diablo that night.The truth made her guilt all the more painful. Not only had she killed her mother, but she'd subconsciously wanted to get rid of her child. Hope, the light of her life. How could she ever face her father, even though that reunion was something she longed for?

By Saturday, Michael was hobbling around a bit, and by Sunday when he came into the kitchen while she was making breakfast, he had barely any limp. Dressed in jeans and a blue western shirt that deepened the color of his eyes, his presence filled the small room.

He raked his damp hair off his forehead. “I thought we might all go to church this morning as a family.”

Her pulse stuttered. “You go ahead without me.” She kept her back to him as she pulled fresh blueberry muffins from the oven. He stepped up behind her, so close she could smell the scent of his Dial soap. She nearly dropped the muffin tray on the floor but managed to save it, burning her hand in the process.

“Ouch.” The tray clattered onto the top of the stove, and she thrust her burning fingers in her mouth.

He grabbed her wrist and pulled her to the sink, where he put her hand under running cold water. “Better?”

“Yes, thanks.” Or she would be if he'd let go of her arm.

As if he'd read her mind, he removed his hand and stepped away. “You don't have to dress up for church here, if that's what's worrying you. No one will look at you funny if you show up in those cute jeans.”

“I'm not worried about my clothes.” She shut off the water and dried her hand with a paper towel, then went to the cupboard for milk glasses. “Since my mother died, it's hard to face God.”

“You have to stop running from God sometime, Gracie.” His words were low.“Besides, it's important for the kids to learn about God, to see the importance of church. United front, remember?”

She whirled and shook a finger at him. “Don't preach at me, Michael Wayne. I can manage my life by myself. I don't need you to tell me how to live.”

“Yeah? You've got it all worked out, right? That's why you jumped on a train and ran. Because you know just what to do.”

She winced at the sarcasm in his voice and decided not to answer it.

His big hands came down on her shoulders, nearly engulfing her. “Just put it all behind you for one day. I want to introduce you to the community.”

“I need to think about dinner.”

“After church we can stop for lunch at the café in town and give you a break from all the cooking.We can take the kids to Big Bend to see the exhibits. Have a family day.”

A family day. She searched his expression for some hidden meaning. He might mean it, but in her own eyes, she was still just the hired help.The ring on her finger didn't mean she was a real wife.

Though she'd like to be.

She caught her breath and tore out of his grasp. “Fine, I'll go. Just don't preach at me.” She glanced down at her jeans and blue fitted blouse. It wasn't church attire.

“Your clothes are fine,” he said again.

Her mom and dad had brought her up differently. “I need to change. Can you feed the kids? I'll be down in a few minutes.” She fled for her room without waiting for his response. When she passed the kids' rooms, she called for them to go down to breakfast.

After she shut the door behind her, she went to the closet.Allie and Shannon had both given her clothing, and a certain blue dress made her wonder what Michael would think if he saw her in it. She tore off her jeans and blouse, then slipped the silky dress over her head. It fit over her slim figure and flared at the knee. She gave an experimental twirl. The silk swished deliciously around her. It had been a long time since she'd worn anything so pretty. It had been Shannon's, and it cost the earth. The tags were still on it when Shannon brought it over, and Gracie wondered then if it had been purchased just for her.

She found the strappy sandals Shannon had brought to go with the dress, then grabbed a brush. Releasing her dark-blond hair from its ponytail, she brushed it until it lay in smooth waves on her shoulders. Cheek color wouldn't be necessary, not as prone as she was to blushing in Michael's presence.A touch of lipstick, and she was ready.

The shoes gave her the confidence she'd been lacking in the jeans and flip-flops, but they felt alien on her feet after not wearing heels for so long. Clinging to the banister, she made her way down the steps. Michael must have heard her approach, because he stepped through the kitchen doorway in the hall below her and stood watching her sashay down the steps. Or at least she hoped it was a decent sashay. As she got near to him, she could see his eyes were wide.

“Wow,” he said. “Look at you.”

She reached the bottom of the steps. “Shannon gave it to me.”

He took her hand and lifted it so he could twirl her around. She obliged and the skirt swished around her legs. “You're making me dizzy.”

He leaned close and whispered in her ear. “Not as dizzy as you make me.”

She went hot again.That man was going to give her a heart attack yet.

A
LL THROUGH CHURCH
, M
ICHAEL WAS CONSCIOUS OF THE SCENT OF
Gracie's hair, the delicate rustle of her silk dress when she shifted, and the soft, daintly curve of her cheek. She listened intently— or so it seemed—to Grady's message.The kids sat like small chicks to her right. He would have to tell them how proud he was of their behavior.

Friends gathered around after the service to welcome him home, and he introduced them to Gracie, who hung back with an uncertain smile.The shy mouse had returned.When Shannon and Jack approached to embrace her, she brightened, and he stared at her sudden animation. When would she come into her own as the woman God meant her to be? He'd love to see her throw off her mouse facade for good.

Shannon released her. “You're radiant in that dress. I knew the color would be amazing on you.”