Page 6 of Wicked Cowboy
His muscles hardened like he’d take the weight of the world on them, like the Greek god Atlas. “I understand, but she wants to stay in Texas, in a house she already knows.”
My body froze. I wasn’t ready to give up my job, and sisters, and move. And, that wasn’t the point of the conversation, so I raised my eyebrow and asked, “With you?”
He gave a curt nod. “With my father and me.”
And, I was now his enemy, for real. I tensed. I’d not walk away from Chelsea and my solemn promise to Chloe, her mom and my best friend. I might not have everything I’d ever want a snap away, but I was here on a mission. “I have all the paperwork and we’re supposed to do this together. Since the moment I got the call about what happened, I’ve been working nonstop to ensure Chloe’s daughter would have a home.”
He didn’t move when he said, “She has a home here.”
I swayed on my feet. He was handsome, rich, and probably had women on speed dial. I should have gulped a dozen water bottles so my brain could function, but I blinked and tried to form my argument anyhow, “You’re a single man. Don’t children generally prevent… gallivanting around and sleeping with any woman you want?”
He took a step away and his lips thinned. It was like a river sprung that sent a chill through me. “I don’t gallivant. I’m not twenty-one anymore.”
I massaged my forehead. If I made him angry and this formally ended in war, then I was absolutely unequipped. I’d never have his money. My shoulders slumped. The scuffs of his black boots meant he wasn’t spending all his time in either the gym or with hairstylists. I glanced up at him. “You joined the Navy SEALs years ago. And, today, I found out you’re… important and own oil companies.”
I’d almost said rich. He motioned for us to head to the living room. At least his house was cool everywhere we stepped. “All of that is true. You said you were a nurse?“
My mind relaxed. I retook my seat and gulped the water. When I put it down, I said, “I am.”
He folded his hands in front of him. “So are you dating someone?”
I curled my hand on my neck and looked out the window. “This is super personal, Mr. Rockson.”
A brief redness came to his face as he said, “It is. I’m trying to ascertain how willing you’d be to a deal.”
He refilled my glass and he brushed his shoulder to mine for a second. My heart raced. I asked, “A deal?”
He put the glass back in my hand and dropped his hands in his lap while he said, “Yes. Look, I’m not married, no girlfriend, no children.”
“You’re completely single, so what?” A man like him could have sex every night with a different girl. He probably didn’t even remember names, but this wasn’t the life for Chloe’s kid. “All of which means your less likely to take care of a young girl.”
His tone was steady when he said, “I’m the only one of us she knows personally. She used to call me Uncle Carter until I picked her up and now I’m just Carter, which I’m taking as a good sign.”
During the three days from their deaths to me standing here, they had time to bond. I hadn’t been allowed to see her until now and it was a two-person game where I didn’t know much about Chelsea. I lifted my chin. “Her mother wasn’t just my foster sister. She was my best friend. I talked to her on the phone more than I saw my actual sisters, but I threw myself into working so much at the hospital because I thought there would always be time for the people I love in my life. I was wrong.”
He took my hand. A spark of awareness rushed in my veins as he said, “Bernie’s friendship and his family made me feel almost normal growing up. Bernie was the best man I’ve ever known.”
He brushed my palm with his thumb like that was some sort of deep contemplation.
I sucked in my bottom lip and let it out to drink more water. I missed my friend. Once I finished, I pushed my hair behind my ear. “I don’t want to fight with you. I’m still in shock, to be honest.”
He leaned closer and my heart thundered in awareness as he said, “Me, too. It’s why I have this idea and I hope you’re on board.“
I sniffled. His arms reminded me of my own dad and how he protected me. Tears formed in my eyes. I couldn’t stop them. “Give me a minute. I don’t mean to cry.”
Streams raced down my face. I’d refused to fail, but since I found out and hopped on a plane, I'd been in a nonstop nightmare where I’d not slept or eaten much.
He hugged me like we were close and, for one moment, I let him. His large hands were bigger than my head, but he massaged me like I was a cherished doll as he said, “It must have been hard to upend your life and fly thousands of miles on such short notice.”
The streams turned into rivers, but he didn’t seem to care if I got his black shirt wet.
Finally, I sniffled and let out a small laugh. I let his neck and shoulder go. He handed me a tissue and I wiped my face. “I’ve not slept in days.”
He stayed next to me, and our legs brushed together, “Maybe you need rest before we talk.”
“No,” I said. He didn’t move, but I patted his knee and pocketed the tissue when I said, “I’m used to making decisions on almost no sleep.”
He tilted his head like he understood when he said, “That’s hard.”
