Texas CHAOS (Texas Heroes Book 2) (3 page)

“Indigestion?” His dad sidled up to him with a grin.

“Heart burn,” Logan countered with a straight face.

“Uh-huh.” Earl nodded knowingly. “Nice crowd. All of our guests are here. Combine that with a good showing from town and there’s not an empty seat in the bleachers.” A cheer went up from the crowd as one cowboy stayed a good fifteen seconds on the back of a big, spinning black bull.

“The place is doing well.” Logan spoke up so he could be heard over the announcer’s voice. “I appreciate all you've done to help me make it a success.” His father shrugged as if what he'd done to help out had been nothing. Both of the men were proud of Gray Wolf. He didn’t know what he’d would've done if the circumstances were different. All of the responsibility would fall to him and he’d have to cut back on his hours as Fire Chief and that was one thing he didn't want to do. There had been a rash of calls lately. The weather was still cool. Early spring in the Hill Country could produce some chilly mornings. Fires seemed to be seasonal. Let people start trying to build a blaze in their fireplaces or use space heaters and sometimes catastrophe struck.

A round of applause went up as the Waylon Jennings song about feeling no pain began to play. The crowd began to sing along, they considered the old tune to be their theme song. Gray Wolf Ranch sat in the small town of Stonewall, TX, located between Fredericksburg and Johnson City, hometown of President Lyndon Baines Johnson. The tiny hamlet of Luckenbach was located nearby, a haven for country singers. The whole area was known for wine, peaches, and people with a German heritage who knew how to have a good time. “Well, I think I’ll take a ride out and look at the horses while you folks play.” Logan clapped his dad on the back and started to leave.

“Don’t forget, Jenna’s about to ride. She wouldn’t want you to miss it.”

Logan broke his stride and stopped. “Oh, that’s right.” He turned with mixed feelings. Watching Jenna ride evoked emotions within him that he didn't really know how to handle. Joining his father at the fence so they'd have a better view, Logan realized it had been a while since he'd seen her perform. His mother had taken Jenna under her wing and taught her everything she knew. Louisa Gray had been a world championship trick rider in her day, until his father had convinced her to marry him and she'd traded her saddle for a suitcase to become a military wife. Even though she no longer performed, his mom sure knew how to teach. Since moving to the Hill Country, she'd coached a handful of girls. Jenna’s love for horses and athletic agility made her a natural.

The exhibition center at Gray Wolf was open-air but well lit. The moon rode high in the sky and the smell of hot dogs and popcorn pervaded the air. Behind him, the wind whispered in the big oaks and if the roar of the crowd was gone, Logan knew he’d be able to hear the rush of water over the rocks in the creek behind the house. He loved his home and he was grateful he’d been able to share it with the girl…no, the woman whose name was being announced over the loud speaker.

“Put your hands together and welcome our own Jenna Travis, a beautiful woman with an amazing talent!”

Logan’s eyes were frozen to the gate where she’d enter and when she rode through, he had to make himself breathe. Wearing buckskin pants and a sleeveless fringed vest decorated with turquoise and feathers, Logan could easily believe she was an Indian princess from long ago. “Careful, baby, careful.” As music played, she entered on Stormy who was rearing and pawing the air. The rodeo crowd went crazy, clapping with a deafening beat. Cowboys paused in their tracks, waving their Stetsons and whistling their approval. Logan felt a wave of jealousy at the attention the men were giving her. As soon as he was aware of it, he tried to rein it in, but the green eyed monster was bigger than he knew.

After making a lap around the arena on the copper colored horse, Jenna glided into her first position. Grabbing Stormy’s mane with one hand and the saddle horn with the other, she balanced on one leg, spread her arms and extended her other leg backwards. “That’s the Crane Stand.” His dad punched him, giving Jenna a nod of approval as she passed.

“Looks dangerous to me.” Logan groused. He’d seen pictures of his mother riding, and never really thought about the danger. With Jenna – it was different.

Before the applause stopped, Jenna moved upright, then secured her ankle in a looped strap. With complete grace, she slid to one side and let herself go, free-falling off the saddle. Logan held his breath, the urge to go snatch her off the horse almost overwhelming.

“That’s the Cossack Death Drag,” Earl said with pride.

Logan hated the name. Jenna was dangling upside down, hands free, letting her fingertips and left foot drag through the dirt. Stormy made a circle around the arena at a steady pace, shaving much too close to the side fence for Logan’s comfort.

Everyone else was cheering and clapping, all he could do was clench his hands into fists and watch. Rising up from the side, she made a noise of encouragement to her horse. When Stormy reached a trot, she pulled her feet up, squatted in the saddle and stood upright. Logan knew this position was called a Hippodrome. He was mesmerized watching her standing proud in the saddle, balancing on the back of a loping horse. Time seemed to drag. Logan barely dared to breathe. Finally, she lowered herself to the saddle again, praising Stormy and patting her neck. “God, I won’t survive this,” he whispered to himself.

“Yes, you will, I did.”

Logan frowned at him, the old man’s hearing was better than he thought. “Not the same thing, Dad.” Louisa was his wife…Jenna was his…. “Hell!”

Earl didn’t say anything else, he just laughed.

He wanted to close his eyes, but he couldn’t. She was just too beautiful. And when she laid flat back on the horse, her gorgeous body hanging halfway to the ground, Logan thought it was the sexiest thing he’d ever seen.

If she could ride a horse like this, how would she ride a man?

The totally outrageous thought put wings to his heels. “I gotta go, I’ll see you guys later.”

Logan gave one last look to the woman who owned him body and soul, a woman he couldn’t have, and then he walked away as fast as his legs would take him.

He didn’t get as far as he expected to, though. Exiting the arena, Jenna had seen him leaving. “Logan, wait!” Sliding off her horse, she handed the reins to her friend, Dixie Bell, one of the best barrel racers in the state. “I’ll be back. I have to catch Logan.”

She ran after him, praying she got to his truck before he pulled away. “Logan! Wait!” The look on his face was hard to read, but he waited.

“What’s wrong, Jenna? You did great out there, by the way.”

Coming to a stop at the side of the truck, she held on to the rim of the window he’d lowered to talk to her. “Thanks, Logan. You aren’t leaving are you?”

“Yea, I have a few things to do at the station.” The work could wait, but he needed the distance. Logan could feel his soul straining over the weight of the life he wasn't living, the burden of knowing he'd never have what he really wanted in life. Her. 

“We’re having a cookout tonight and a hayride. Would you like to go with me?” She tried to give him her most enticing smile.

“I don’t think so.” Logan thought quickly, willing to do almost anything to keep from making a fool of himself. “I have a date tonight. Aren’t there some people more your own age you’d rather hang out with?”

“Oh.” He saw the light die in her eyes. “Yea, there’s a guy staying here, a soldier. His name is Butch. He asked me out. I guess I could go with him. I just thought…”

Logan swallowed his protest. The idea of her going out with anyone, much less a soldier named Butch made his stomach clench. But…this was for the best. “Yea, you have a good time. Make sure Butch is on his best behavior and I’ll see you there.” When she stepped back, looking defeated, he gave her a big smile. “You rode like a pro. I’m proud of you. Happy Birthday!”

Jenna tried to smile back, but she didn’t quite succeed. “Thanks. Hurry back, I’ll miss you.”

He lifted his hand to wave as he drove away and she watched him go. It seemed like she was always watching him go.

* * *

“I was surprised when you called me.” Terra clung to his arm, whispering into his ear as they strolled along the oak-lined path behind the rodeo pavilion. Tiny white lights were strung through the tree branches and strains of live music could be heard wafting on the breeze. The setting was very romantic, but Logan wasn't interested. He had to tighten the muscles in the arm she was holding to fight the temptation to shake her off. Asking this woman out on a date was not his finest moment. He knew Terra was reading far too much into his invitation. It was his fault, Logan knew that. Using the innocent blonde as a buffer between himself and the woman he couldn’t resist wasn't the smartest idea in the world. 

“It’s a nice night to be outdoors,” he mumbled, searching for something to say that made sense. “The moon’s big and bright.” As soon as he said it, Logan realized his mistake. She took his observation of the beautiful night sky as an invitation to take the next step.

When Terra slipped her hand into Logan’s back pocket and fondled his ass he jerked. “I can’t wait to cuddle under a blanket with you, Chief Gray. I’ve heard you’re a master at putting out fires.” She reached over and nipped him on the ear. “I have a hot spot that sure could use your attention.”

“Uh…” Logan jerked away from her so fast, Terra almost lost her footing.

“What the hell?” Even the gathering shadows couldn't hide Terra's frown as she stopped in her tracks, placing a hand on her hip.

Logan was about to stammer an inane explanation when the sight ahead of him swept every other thought from his mind. “Dammit!” Some tall, gangly ass had Jenna backed up to a tree, one hand under her chin, the other a good two inches below her waist. If the jerk spread his fingers, he'd be caressing her backside. The man slowly lowered his head, he looked to be about to kiss...

“Jenna!” Logan called. “Can I talk to you?”

“Logan, what are you doing?” Terra protested, clearly disturbed by her escort's sudden outburst.

Logan was aware of the woman next to him stiffening even farther. All he offered her was a nod of his head. “Excuse me, Terra.”

Jenna said something to ‘Butch’ who threw up his hands, but stayed where he was as she moved to the side to come toward Logan. Her eyes darted between him and Terra. She didn’t look happy. “Is there something wrong?”

Beyond Jenna, the man who’d had his hands all over her crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Logan. He gave the young buck a warning stare and took Jenna by the arm. “You don’t know that man well enough to let him take those types of liberties with you.” He could feel the heat of anger rising on his face. During the years she’d been living with him and his family, Jenna had attended some parties, but if she’d ever dated anyone he hadn’t known about it. When he’d tossed out that suggestion that she hang out with others her own age, he’d been envisioning some pimply faced kid, not the randy GI who looked ready to fight for her if given a reason.

Jenna narrowed her eyes and pressed her luscious lips together. “I’m eighteen, Logan. And I’m not stupid. I wasn’t about to let him do anything.” She refused to look toward Terra, instead Jenna lowered her voice. “I asked you to be with me tonight. You chose someone else.” There was no way he missed the accusing hurt in her voice.

“What has that got to do with anything?” he growled. “I’m just looking out for you.”

“I don’t need you to look out for me,” she said, then lowered her head. “I mean, I want you to look out for me, but not like this.” She laid her hand on his arm.

Logan trembled at her touch.

“Logan.” Terra said his name, reminding him of her presence.

“We need to talk, Logan.” Jenna looked up into his face. The moonlight playing off her alluring features made it hard for Logan to breathe. “Please.”

“Jenna, I…” Logan didn’t know what he was about to say, he never got a chance to formulate the words. He was literally saved by the bell. His pager sounded, saving him from having to answer. Taking it from his pocket, he read the message. He wouldn’t say he was grateful for a fire, but the interruption was timely. “I’ve got to go,” he said loudly enough for Terra to hear, then he spoke to Jenna. “Get rid of him and we’ll talk when I get back.”

“I'll be waiting,” she answered. Logan couldn't tell much from her tone.

Heading off, he called out to Terra. “I'm sorry about this, duty calls. I’ll ask my father to take you home.” Without looking around to see her disgruntled expression, Logan loped toward the barn where his truck was parked, phoning his dad on the way.

When he told Earl what was going on, his dad just laughed. “You've got your hands full, son, and I think the fire is the least of your worries. Be safe.”

“Sure thing, Pops.” All the way to the station, Logan relived the last few minutes. He was so jealous he felt sick with it. What in the hell was he going to do? Upon arrival at the fire hall, he put his concerns about Jenna and their situation aside. It was time to do his job.

“CHAOS! CHAOS!” One of the men shouted as he came in the door. Logan ignored the familiar outburst. “What’s up?” he shouted to anyone who was listening. He could see the big engine was loaded and running.

“We’ve got a man collapsed at a produce warehouse over on Hwy. 71. They think there’s some kind of leak, possibly carbon monoxide.” Marcus, his second in command, informed him as Logan donned his helmet. “The owners are worried about an explosion.”