Never Say Never (27 page)

A red-haired woman walked into the room at that moment. Marsh grinned when he saw her. “China! If I’d known you were the kind of woman who couldn’t resist an injured man, I’d have taken a bullet much sooner.”

Jill glanced at Dustin, who merely shrugged. His mouth was turned up a bit at the sides though, so she knew this visitor was a welcome, if unexpected, one.

The statuesque woman froze him with a glare. “I see the rumors of your demise were much exaggerated, Tommy, to borrow a famous quote.”

“You only came to see if I was still alive?” He managed to inject hurt feelings into his tone.

China obviously wasn’t impressed. “I came to see if a man with a mouth as fast as yours could actually be shut up by anything. Apparently not, because you’re still talking.” Her eyes softened for the slightest moment. “I have horses to feed, and I only pay one sick visit per jerk, so I’m going to be on my way. Ordering a plant for your funeral obviously won’t be necessary.”

The sheriff had sat up and run a hand through his hair, in an attempt, Jill guessed, to make himself more presentable to his guest. By the uncertain averting of the visitor’s eyes, Jill thought he was already held in admiration—however grudging.

“China, this is Jill McCall. She’s been living at the ranch with Dustin.” He hesitated under Jill’s frown. “Um, she’s the latest in Dustin’s string of housekeepers. Jill, this is China Shea.”

Stepping forward to shake China’s hand, she understood why the sheriff might be so buffaloed by the woman. Her eyes were a deep green, honest and welcoming with their brightness. Though she was tall, her genuine smile made Jill feel comfortable immediately. “It’s nice to meet you,” she told China, meaning it.

“Same to you. Dustin, did you finally have all you wanted of Tommy’s crude mouth?” She indicated the bandaged leg.

Jill had been surprised by China’s use of Marsh’s name. Now she was even more amazed by Marsh’s sheepish grin. It was obvious that China could have told him to jump over the moon and he would have given it his best attempt—just to win her heart.

“I didn’t shoot him, though I’ve been tempted many times,” Dustin said with a shake of his head. “He could use some tender, loving care though.”

China shot a wry look Jill’s way. “Thank God for nursing staff, then. He can get all the TLC he needs from people who are trained to pamper him. Well,” she said brightly, turning to Marsh once more, “I suppose you’ll stay out of trouble in here. Don’t get mouthy with the nurses, Tommy, they’re in charge of the needles. Jill, it was nice to meet you. Dustin, say hello to Eunice for me.” She started to sail out the door before pausing in the doorway. “I’ll be rooting for you next week, Dustin.”

Without another glance at the patient, China exited. Jill met Dustin’s eyes in a moment of shared conspiracy. There wasn’t a more perfect woman for Marsh in the world. He could do all the macho blustering he wanted to with China, but Jill suspected the earthily beautiful redhead had Marsh over a barrel.

“That woman wants me,” the sheriff said cheerfully.

“Yeah. Like she wants to be abducted by space aliens,” Dustin said.

“One day I’m going to let her have her way with me.” Marsh settled himself back against the pillows.

Dustin rubbed his chin thoughtfully, making Jill ache to inspect that bruise. “Maybe China will fall down a flight of stairs and hit her head. If she doesn’t remember who you are, you might have a better chance with her.”

Marsh ignored him. “I can just feel those long, slender legs right now, locked around me in—”

“Perhaps a neurologist should examine him,” Jill interrupted. “He appears to be suffering from delusions.”

Dustin laughed. Their eyes met again, and she smiled tentatively.

“Come on,” he told her. “Let’s leave this rascal to his fantasizing. I’ll take you to the nursery to see Holly.”

“’Bye, Marsh.” Jill allowed Dustin to propel her from the room. Once they left, the feeling between them changed from cordial to tight awareness. With his hand on her arm, Holly felt the strength in his fingers and a strange connection to her soul. Without even denouncing the thought in her mind, Jill suddenly knew that she cared far more for this rancher than she’d ever allowed herself to imagine.

Marsh wasn’t the only one fantasizing, apparently.

“How’s Joey?”

“Fine,” Jill said, a little breathlessly. They were heading toward the nursery at a good pace. Trying to keep up with Dustin’s longer legs was exercise her pained body was protesting. “Can we slow down a little?”

“Sorry.” Dustin halted immediately. He stared down at her, making shivers fly along her skin. “How are
you
, Jill?”

“Much better than I look,” she said softly. His gaze on hers was searching and intense. The bruise on her cheek bone received the most fierce scrutiny.

Before she realized what was happening, his lips met hers in a kiss that wasn’t at all apologetic. His arms wrapped around her and tears sprang to Jill’s eyes. If Dustin’s gratitude was the reward for what she’d been through, then the price had been well worth it. Of course, his gratitude wasn’t what she really wanted. But it was a start.

Though the feel of being molded together was sheer heaven, after a moment she reluctantly pulled away. There were plenty of people witnessing their kiss and she didn’t want more gossip circulating about their relationship than necessary. Dustin may have been overwhelmed into forgetting Maxine’s threat for the moment, but Jill didn’t want to be a source of any more anxiety than necessary.

“Sorry,” he murmured.

“Don’t be,” she was quick to return. “I’m not.”

He reached out and caressed her jawline. “You scared the hell out of me tonight. I don’t think I realized that such a sweet city girl could be such a tough lady.”

“I didn’t know myself. I’m sure extra adrenaline had a lot to do with it.” She tried to smile, but the fight with Curtis had cost her. They both knew it.

“It was a pisser, wasn’t it?” His face was grim, his cocoa-colored eyes deep with regret.

“Yes, but it’s over. We came through it fine and now all I want to do is see Holly. She’s had a very frightening introduction to the world.”

Dustin nodded. They turned a corner and stopped in front of a large glass window. Babies inside bassinets were engaged in either crying or sleeping. She saw Holly at once.

“Look at all the pink bows they’ve hung on her bassinet,” she whispered.

“Yeah. Her hard-luck story got around pretty quickly. Arriving in a torn straw basket generated a lot of sympathy.” He chuckled. “She’s a regular celebrity now.”

“I guess so,” Jill murmured. “We did okay, didn’t we? Sadie and Holly can start over now. Like a real mother and daughter deserve to.”

He slid his hand up to rub her back soothingly. “Last time I saw Lynch he was occupying trunk space. I suspect he’ll be spending enough time in a Lassiter jail that Sadie and Holly can get on with their bonding.”

Jill slid him a teasing glance as he stared through the window. “Do I need more than one guess as to who chose a trunk for Lynch’s temporary residence?”

He shook his head without saying anything. Jill smiled and stared back through the hospital window. Eunice had been right after all. It was the season for believing. Gesturing to one of the nurses, she pointed to Holly, indicating that she should bring her out.

“I’m ready to go home,” she said, more to herself than Dustin, but he gave her hand a squeeze.

“Thanks for coming down here to get her. I’ll help you sign her out, but I’m going to stay here awhile longer and make sure Marsh stays out of trouble.”

“You mean Tommy.”

“Yeah, Tommy.” He grinned at her. “He deserves everything he gets from China, trust me.”

“She seems plenty capable of handling him.” She gasped as a nurse laid Holly in her arms. “Hey, angel! What excitement you’ve had!” Nuzzling the baby to her cheek, Jill sent a silent prayer of thanks that the baby was safe. Catching Dustin’s gaze on her, she automatically retreated to the banter she was learning to use. “No more staying out so late, missy. We have curfew for young ladies like you.”

Dustin chuckled and led her to the desk. She signed a few papers, then took a deep breath. There was so much she would like to be able to say to him but their location and their situation prevented it. “See you later,” she said as nonchalantly as possible.

“Okay.”

She turned and left the hospital. Their goodbye wasn’t adequate, but it was about all either one of them was comfortable with. The events of last night had accelerated their relationship into a tense awareness of how close they were becoming—whether they’d ever wanted it or not.

Strapping the baby into the car seat in her beat-up old car, Jill said, “It’s well after midnight, Holly. Way past time for you to have a bottle and snuggle into your bed.” She glanced at the forlorn basket. “And tomorrow we’ll hunt a new baby carrier for you.” She sighed as she pulled out of the parking lot. The baby glanced around at the bright lights as they left, seeming to dismiss it all with a wave of her fist.

“That’s kind of the way I feel,” Jill agreed. “Hopefully, tonight was as bad as it’s going to get. I’m not sure I have the strength for much more excitement.” The truth was, she reflected, she’d come to the ranch to inject some much-needed change into her life. After being fired, and Carl’s painful betrayal, Jill had wanted a change of scenery. A new life, a fresh start.

“Well, I certainly got that,” she told Holly dryly. Dustin’s grateful kiss in the hallway flashed through her mind, making her skin tingle. Despite everything that had happened, she felt her life held more importance, more meaning, than it ever had.

Deep in her heart, she knew that feeling had a lot to do with Dustin.

Jill checked on Eunice, who was still resting She smiled to see that Joey was tucked into bed with his grandmother. Apparently, Eunice wasn’t taking any chances in case Joey had a nightmare. It was entirely possible he could. The memory of the child beating Holly’s abductor with small, determined fists, then flying through the air when Curtis slapped him sent a chill coursing through Jill. She dropped a kiss on his forehead and checked his cheek for a bruise. There was none, but she was glad Eunice had thought to put him in her bed for the night. It would be a miracle if they all didn’t suffer from nightmares tonight.

Carefully securing all the doors and taking a last turn through the house to check the windows—though she knew Curtis was safe in jail now—Jill fed Holly a last bottle, changed her into a nightie and tucked her into the basket. Placing it beside her own bed, she then changed into a long cotton nightgown and readied herself for bed. She’d just turned out the lights when she thought she heard Dustin’s truck pull into the drive.

Seconds later, the sound of the front door closing confirmed her guess. Jill held her breath as Dustin’s heavy tread went past her door. Slowly she relaxed, realizing that a tiny hope had blossomed inside her that he might call good night through the door. Of course, with her lights out, he wouldn’t want to disturb her. Feeling strangely dissatisfied, Jill got under the covers.

Her eyes had just about closed when she thought she heard a light tapping against the door that connected to Joey’s room through the bathroom. That door opened and a faint knock came on her door.

“Jill?”

“Yes?” she whispered back.

Dustin opened the door and walked into the room. Jill’s breath caught. He looked big and broad-shouldered as he hovered in the doorway. His gaze swept the bed.

“I was looking for Joey. Is he in with Mother?”

Pulling the covers up for modesty, Jill sat up. “Yes. She must have been worried about him having nightmares.”

“Did he seem okay?”

“He was sleeping fine. I didn’t want to say this earlier, but he took a bit of a blow tonight, too. I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t sleep the whole night.” Jill felt the fear she’d been repressing with easy teasing finally cracking. “I’m so sorry, Dustin,” she said. Her voice broke and she could feel tears pressing against the back of her eyes. “It’s all my fault Joey got hurt. I’d gone upstairs. I left him at the kitchen table. He went outside to find you and…”

Dustin perched on the edge of the bed, reaching to draw her into his arms. “Jill, don’t cry. If it had been me, I wouldn’t have done anything any differently.” He took a deep breath. “Besides, it’s just as much my fault.”

“Don’t try to make me feel better by blaming this on yourself.”

He nestled her closer and pulled both of them to lean against the headboard. “Joey wouldn’t have been so intent on finding me if he was sure I’d be around, Jill. He’s at the age where he needs a father who places him first. I haven’t done that. I’m going to now.”

She sniffled. “But you’re not the one who planted the idea of a popcorn-stringing party in his head.”

Ruffling her hair so that he could place his hand at the base of her neck, Dustin said, “We are damn sure stringing all the popcorn he wants to tomorrow.”

“I agree. A peaceful afternoon around the fireplace is what we all need.”

Dustin nodded, but he was no longer thinking about fireplaces and peaceful afternoons. The terror and adrenaline he’d built up in his body had flowed out in waves when he’d walked inside Jill’s room and sat down to comfort her. His son was safe, Holly was safe, and now his mind was free and thinking about Jill’s body underneath that cotton.