Texas Bossa Nova (Texas Montgomery Mavericks Book 5) (18 page)

“Now?”

“Sure. Come on.”

Calling the space an apartment was a stretch. An efficiency apartment would be a better description. A combination kitchen, living area and sleeping area made up the large room. There was a small separate bath. But the place was clean and furnished.

“I’ll take it,” Magda said.

Besides, she didn’t have that many personal belongings. She didn’t need a large space.

At four a.m. Monday morning, Magda staggered downstairs to the bakery. Porchia was already there, mixers going, ovens heating. Her patience when teaching Magda some of the baking tricks was amazing.

When the shop opened at seven, there was already a line of customers waiting to get in. Magda worked the counter and discovered why Porchia loved this end of the business. Was there anyone who didn’t leave happier from a bakery than when they walked in? Magda didn’t think so.

The shop closed when all the pastries for the day had been sold. Usually, that meant by noon, Porchia was locking the door and doing her prep for the next day’s baking.

The first week flew by. The hours were horrible. There was no other way to describe them. Up in the middle of the night to start work, trying to sleep in the afternoon or go to bed by seven p.m. Other than the horrendous hours and the constant exhaustion, Magda loved the baking.

And during the first week, Reno didn’t call, not that she’d expected him to. After all, they’d said all they needed to when she left.

Zeb and Blanche returned during her second week, surprised to find her working at the bakery. Zeb looked…relaxed. Happy. Blanche had a grin Magda hoped she wore for the rest of her married life with Zeb. He obviously made Blanche a very happy woman.

Some days Magda took an afternoon nap so that she could meet the girls, as they called themselves, at Leo’s for drinks and dinner. She’d never had a group of friends like this, so the experience of everyone spilling tidbits of gossip about everyone else was completely foreign. But they accepted Magda into their circle with open arms and lots of questions about Reno and Darren. Of no surprise was that both men held a lot of fascination for the town women. They wanted to know what were their favorite meals, their favorite beer, their favorite television shows.

Magda could only imagine the casserole dishes that were prepared after an evening of peppering her with questions.

And she always told the truth…about Darren’s likes and dislikes. She might have hedged a little about Reno. Those women didn’t need to know everything.

She was thankful her work kept her hands and mind busy, because anytime her mind wasn’t engaged in measuring or mixing, it would drift to Reno. Sometimes she wondered if she’d been wrong to leave, but then most of the time she was sure she’d made the right move. After all, if a man really loved a woman, he would certainly have picked up the phone and called her or at least checked on her.

She wanted to believe Reno loved her. He’d said he did, but words were so easy.

Hadn’t her mother loved her and promised to keep her safe only to die and leave Magda scared and alone? Of course it hadn’t been her mother’s fault, but that’s how life was. Lots of promises that could be impossible to keep.

How many times had she been told that she was going to a long-term foster home only to find herself moved within weeks? She could see that she’d tested those families. But had they cared enough to keep her? The answer had always been no.

Magda loved Reno, and because she did, she’d left him…twice. He had a plan for his life. One he worked hard on. She loved him enough that she’d do nothing to derail him.

Breaking away was for the best. Besides, if she left first, she’d never had to face the day when he left her.

The question was if this was such a great plan, why did she feel so sad all the time?

Chapter Twenty-One

If Reno lived to be a thousand years old, he’d never understand women, one woman in particular. He refused to watch her truck drive away. He refused to pine for a woman who’d left him twice.

Darren was no help at all.

“You know,” his brother said a week after Magda had been gone, “I’m not sure who you two thought you were fooling.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Reno,” he said with a sigh. “This is an old house with thin walls and thinner insulation.”

Reno coughed. “Meaning?”

Darren hiked his eyebrows. “You want me to spell it out then. I know you were sleeping with Magda, and let me add, there wasn’t a lot of actual sleeping going on.”

Reno didn’t reply. Denial was pointless.

“Now what I want to know,” Darren continued, “is whether Mom knew when she hired Magda to come to work that you two had been sleeping together back last year before she left.”

“What difference does any of that make?” Reno snapped.

“Well, I’m wondering why our mother, Miss Conservative herself, would hire an attractive young woman to come to work for us.”

“We needed a housekeeper. Magda needed work. It’s that simple.”

“Hmm. I just wonder.”

“Well, keep your wonderings to yourself.” Reno picked up his barely eaten dinner and set the plate in the sink. “Your night for dishes.” He left the room. He didn’t want to talk about or think about Magda Hobbs.

Still, he checked his phone every hour to see if he’d missed a call or a text from her, but his phone stayed silent.

The second week she was gone, there was little improvement in his mood. He wasn’t sleeping worth a damn. His brain was fuzzy. He was beginning to think maybe he was sick, even though his temperature was normal. He’d never felt this horrible in his life. He even gave thought to making an appointment at Whispering Springs Medical Clinic, but in the end, decided he’d tough it out.

After Magda had been gone a month, Darren slammed his fist on the table at dinner one night.

“I’ve had enough with your mood. I’m sorry you screwed up with Magda, but get over it.”

Get over it.
Was he kidding?

“I’m over it.”

“Great. Then let’s go to Leo’s tonight. It’s Thursday. He’ll have a live band.”

“Nah. You go ahead.”

“See. That’s what I’m talking about. You’re still moping about Magda.”

“I am not, you horse’s ass. I’m tired.”

“Bullshit. You’re not old enough to be this tired. If you want to prove that Magda is in the past, get your ass dressed and let’s go dancing…or at least drinking and flirting with all the hot women that’ll be there.”

“And you know they’ll be hot women how?”

“Talked to Porchia today. Said the girls were hitting Leo’s tonight. I told her we’d see her there, so let’s go.”

“Fine. I’ll go if this will shut you up.”

“It’s a start.”

Leo’s Bar and Grill was notoriously busy on Thursday nights, making finding a parking place a challenge. After circling a couple of times, Reno finally pulled alongside the road and slammed his truck’s gears into park.

“I can’t believe you dragged me here. Look at this place. There’s not even a parking space.”

Darren just grinned, which had the effect of fingernails on a blackboard. “Drop me off at the door, if you would. Walking that far is so difficult with this cast.”

“Bullshit, you big baby. You’ve been walking on it for two months.”

“Yeah, but I need to save my strength for dancing.”

Reno glared at his brother, so pissed that he’d let himself be badgered into coming out tonight. He just wanted to be home.

He shifted the truck back into drive, pulled to the front door and waited as Darren climbed out. Before Darren shut the door, he leaned back into the cab and said, “You better not leave. I mean it. Your ass had better be inside after you park.” He slammed the truck door and maneuvered his way up the stairs, greeting the other patrons he knew as he entered.

Damn him.

The problem with having a twin brother was that sometimes that person knew what you were going to do before you did. Reno had considered leaving Darren and driving home. He had little doubt that his brother would use his charm and get a ride back to the ranch. It just pissed him off more that Darren had called him on it.

He lucked into a parking spot in the lot, if he considered convenient parking to do something he didn’t want to as lucky. His boots scratched in the gravel as he stomped toward Leo’s. Zack Marshall was standing on the bar’s porch as Reno topped the stairs.

“Hey. You’re out,” Zack said. “Darren said you were coming, but I didn’t believe it.”

Reno glared at Zack. He was getting quite proficient at glaring at people. Funny that none of them appeared to be effected by it.

“I’m here. I’m not going to be here long, so if you want to buy me a beer to celebrate Darren’s correct prediction, do it fast.”

Zack threw back his head in a laugh and then slapped Reno on the shoulder. “Come on. I’ll buy the first round.”

The bar was crowded and unbelievably noisy. A live band played country tunes from a makeshift stage. Tables had been shoved around to make a small dance floor, which was jam-packed with twisting and gyrating bodies. Above all the din, Reno heard a loud whistle. He turned in that direction. Darren’s cow whistle could move a herd as well as wake the dead.

The two men squeezed between tables and dancers to make their way to a group of tables that’d been pulled together. Around the tables were the usual suspects—Darren, Max, Randy, Delene, Tina, Porchia, Paula and—good Lord—even Sarah Jane Mackey, although she refused to meet his eyes. As it was impossible to hear over the music, the guys gave a nod and the ladies blew him kisses. Even the blown kisses didn’t do much to improve his attitude.

Zack dragged over a couple of empty chairs to they could join the gang.

“Hi, Reno,” Porchia shouted. “Thanks a lot. I lost ten dollars to Darren. I didn’t think you’d come.”

“You pay him yet?”

The attractive blonde shook her head. Reno flexed his fingers in a give-me gesture. She pulled a ten from her pocket and handed it over. Reno got Darren’s attention, pointed to Porchia and then to the ten-dollar-bill and then shoved the money in his pocket. That’d teach the asshole to place wagers on what Reno would or wouldn’t do.

He’d expected Darren to growl or frown, so he was a little surprised when he got a thumbs up and a laugh.

Damn. Now even his brother was acting weird.

The band announced a break and recorded music at a much lower volume began to play. The dancers moved off the dance floor back to tables and drinks.

Someone bumped the back of his chair as they slid past. “Sorry.”

Reno’s heart froze. Then he turned his head in time to see a tall guy leading Magda past to a couple of chairs near Porchia. Damn it.

His initial reaction was to walk out, but he couldn’t do that. First, he didn’t want Magda to know how much it hurt to see her, especially with another guy. And second, he’d never hear the end of it from Darren, and he wasn’t handing harassment material to his brother.

A waitress had delivered a round of drinks to the table, so Reno lifted his beer to his mouth, his gaze never leaving Magda’s face. Flushed and sweaty, she looked much as she did after sex. His stupid dick took notice and began to lengthen.

Magda’s gaze went everywhere but to him. Finding patience he didn’t know he possessed, he waited. Finally, she glanced his way. He lifted his beer bottle to her in a salute. She quickly moved her gaze on. That was confusing. Did she not want to see him, or—and he prayed he was right—was seeing him as painful for her as it was for him?

Magda shifted her gaze off Reno, the punch to her heart almost too much to take. Damn Reno for being here for her first night out in forever.

And damn that Porchia too. Why did she have to talk Magda into coming here tonight?

And while she was damning people, damn this guy sitting next to her. He was crowding her, pressing his body to hers, and, eww…now he was stroking his finger down her neck. She shivered in revulsion. Apparently, the idiot man—what was his name again? Bob? Steve? Joe? Hell if she could remember. He’d come with Randy and that’s about all she remembered. Anyway, the ass apparently thought her shiver was one of ecstasy, not of her being grossed out. Well, he was wrong.

She tried to scoot a little farther away, but the chairs were just too crammed to move more than a fraction of an inch.

Lord. Now he interpreted her action to move away as a desire to get closer.

She glanced across at Reno. He watched her with hooded eyes and a frown. Great. Even he saw her actions as encouragement to the ass beside her. She faked a wide yawn.

“Wow,” she said to Porchia. “I’m so sleepy.”

Porchia looked at her phone and then back at Magda. “It’s only seven-thirty.”

“I know, but early mornings and all that. I guess your body is better adjusted to the work than mine is. I think I’ll head home. See you in the morning.”

Porchia glanced at Darren and then back. “Stay. The party is just getting started.”

Magda shook her head. “I can’t. I’m sorry.” She tried to move her chair to stand, but the guy—whatever his name was—was slammed too close. “Excuse me,” she said to him. “I need out.”

“Sure thing, doll face,” he said, which made her think he probably had no idea what her name was either and just called every woman doll face. “I’ll hold your chair for you.”

“Oh, no reason to do that. I’m headed home to bed. Thank you anyway.”

“Bed, huh?” His look was pure leer, and it was all Magda could do not to vomit.

But he saw the shiver of revulsion as it shook her body.

“Excuse me.” She forced him to slide his chair back by basically bumping him with her ass.

“Aren’t you even going to finish the drink I bought ya?” obnoxious guy asked.

“Sure.” She poured the watery margarita down. “Thanks. Excuse me.”

“Hey! Wait a minute, Magda,” someone called, but she kept going. She had to get out of there.

She wiggled her way out, only able to draw a breath once she was free of the crowd. To get to the exit, she had to thread her way around tables and chairs and scads of standing people. If she didn’t watch where she was going—and she had to admit, her vision was a little impaired—she’d run into people.

After she’d bounced off the third person and muttered another excuse me, she was even more sure she needed to get home. Her fatigue combined with one drink made walking difficult, not to mention her vision blurry.

A guy she didn’t recognize held the door open for her as she wobbled onto the porch.

“You okay, lady?” he asked.

“Yeah. Sure.” Did she sound slurry? She stumbled over a board on the porch and almost fell. The stranger at the door caught her before she did a face plant into the railing.

“Sorry,” a voice said from behind. “She’s with me. She got a little ahead of me.”

A strong hand grabbed Magda’s arm while an arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her up next to a firm, muscular body.

Reno was her first thought. But when she turned to say something to him, it wasn’t Reno. It was the guy from the table. The one whose name she’d forgotten.

“She’s had a little too much to drink.”

Too much to drink? She only had that one margarita and it hadn’t been very strong.

“Come on, baby. I’ll get you home and into bed.”

She gagged at his oily voice and struggled to break his hold on her. As strong as she was, she was no match for this guy. His hold was firm and tight as he led her forcibly down the stairs into the parking lot.

“When I buy a chick a drink, I expect a little more gratitude,” he growled in her ear.

Good Lord. Was he going to force his way into her apartment? Force himself on her?

“Help,” she called, but her voice was weak, barely above a whisper.

“I’m helping you, honey,” he said in a friendly tone. “She’s had a little too much to drink,” he said to a couple walking past. “She’ll be fine as soon as I get her home.”

She twisted her body, tried to break his hold on her, but he only gripped her tighter as he forcibly marched her toward an unfamiliar truck. With no traction possible to slow or halt her movement, her boots skidded in the gravel as he pushed her toward the vehicle.

The truck chirped as they got close.

“Now don’t give me any more trouble and I’ll be gentle with you.” Then he laughed and her blood froze. “Nah. I’m lying, you little cunt. There isn’t an opening on your body that I’m not gonna be fucking tonight. You’re going to have a real man tonight.”

Magda tried to scream. She opened her mouth but nothing came out. She struggled but he shoved her into the open door and face down on the bench seat.

And then he was gone.

The crack of a fist connecting with bone echoed in the cab. She slid backwards until her toes touched the gravel and then she pushed herself out of the truck in time to see Reno’s fist connect with the stranger’s nose. Blood spurted and the nose bent to the side.

A couple of solid blows to the stranger’s gut had him reeling.

Behind Reno, a crowd had gathered. All the gang from the bar plus a few more were there cheering Reno on. She didn’t understand.

“You son of a bitch,” Reno barked and caught the guy on the chin with an upper cut. “You bastard.” He socked the guy’s head and then used his cowboy boot to kick the guy in the stomach and send him flying into the hood of his truck.

“Reno. Stop,” Magda cried. “You’re going to kill him.”

“You’re damn right I am.”

The man staggered to his feet, but Reno dropped him to the dirt and gravel with a solid punch to the face. The guy lay crumpled by his tire and Reno kicked him in the ribs.

“That’s enough,” Darren said as he and Max grabbed Reno’s arms and pulled him off. “That’s enough. She’s okay, Reno.”

Magda shook like a sign in a hurricane. Porchia and Tina ran over and put their arms around her.

“Are you okay?” Tina asked. “Did he hurt you?”

“I-I-I-I’m f-f-fine,” she stuttered. “W-w-w-what h-h-happened?”