Page 40 of Halfway to Hell
Not waiting for Clause to respond, Texas turned his full attention back to Sunday.
“Sorry about him. He’s overprotective and thinks I’m reckless and still a child.”
Sunday gave a small, sincere smile. “I don’t think you’re a child.”
Texas snapped his head toward his brother, glaring. “Clause!”
When Texas looked back, Sunday was staring up at him. Their eyes locked, and the pull from those soft blue depths drew him in like a magnet. He closed his eyes briefly, centering himself. The desperate urge to kiss her hovered just beneath the surface, but he held back.
He kept reminding himself she needed time. Time to heal. Sunday didn’t need him climbing all over her, not yet.
It had been the gentle rhythm of her soft snoring, her head and hand resting lightly on his bare chest that made him quietly slip out of bed in the early morning hours.
As the sound of Clause’s footsteps faded down the hall, Texas smiled softly at Sunday. Leaning down, he waited until she tipped her face up, then kissed her gently on the lips.
Stepping back, he gave her space to get dressed before anything stupid happened. Something that didn’t need to happen—especially with his brother in the house.
“Why don’t you get dressed? When you’re ready, come to the kitchen.” Texas said softly before turning and heading toward his damn brother.
“I already tended the fire in the living room,” Clause called after him as he stepped into the kitchen. “Sorry if I scared your friend. You should’ve called me.”
Clause paused, turning to look at Texas as he began making the coffee again. “Why didn’t you call me?”
Texas stepped closer and took the coffee pot from Clause’s hands. “Let me handle that. You always make it too strong.”
Clause narrowed his eyes. “You’re avoiding my question.”
Texas continued filling the coffee carafe, not avoiding his brother’s questions. He just didn’t want to have that conversation yet, and definitely not one-on-one. He wanted everyone involved, all at once.
“I didn’t call anyone,” he said simply.
Sunday stood just outside the kitchen doorway, catching the rising tension between the brothers. Not wanting Texas to bear the brunt of it alone, she cleared her throat and stepped inside.
“He wasn’t sure what to say,” she offered gently, easing into the room.
Texas and Clause both turned toward Sunday, surprised to find her already in the room. Before either man could speak, she stepped further inside.
“I was supposed to stay with my sister in Montreal,” Sunday said, moving around the table to stand beside Texas.
She reached around him, turning off the running water and taking charge of the coffee-making. “I got this,” she said with a small smile.
Shooing the brothers aside with a gentle wave, she poured water into the back of the coffee pot, scooped out the grounds, and set the filter. Closing the lid, she pressed the brew button and turned back to them.
“My sister’s a traveling nurse,” she explained, “and had to leave for a six-week assignment. Texas was kind enough to offer me a place to stay until she gets back.”
“How do you two know each other?” Clause asked, leaning against the kitchen table.
Sunday glanced at Texas before answering. “I know a friend of your brother’s. Texas knew I needed a ride to Montreal.”
Texas cut her off quickly. “Sunday was stranded in New London.” He didn’t want Clause to know she’d been in Sudbury. The less his family knew about his movements, the better.
Pulling out a chair, Texas sat down, leaned back on the two rear legs, and waited, watching carefully to see what would unfold next.
Sunday turned her gaze back to Clause, forcing a tight smile.
“I have a question for you, Clause.”
When Clause looked at her, the smile faded. After Texas had left her alone, Sunday realized how rude it had been for his brother to barge into the bedroom unannounced.
