Page 74 of Heaven, Texas (Chicago Stars 2)

“Where are we?”

“By the river. I told you that’s where we were headed, just like we used to in high school. We’re taking this step-by-step, sweetheart, so you don’t feel cheated. Now if I was being real strict about this, we’d have stopped by the Dairy Queen first for a cone, but to tell you the truth, I don’t think I can keep my hands off you a second longer.” He brought the truck to a stop, turned off the ignition and headlights, then lowered the window. The cool night breeze drifted in, and she heard the sound of rushing water. Through the windshield, moonlight sparked on the leaves of the pecan and cypress trees that lined the riverbank.

She swallowed. “Are we going to . . . You know. Here. In the truck?”

“You want me to give you an agenda?”

‘’Well, I . . “

He smiled and took off his hat. “Come here, Gracie Snow. Right this minute.”

15

Gracie slid into Bobby Tom’s arms as easily as she’d ever done anything in her life. He tucked her under his chin and slipped his hand beneath her sweater. With her ear pressed to his chest, she could hear the strong, steady beat of his heart.

He stroked her hair while he caressed the skin on her back with his thumb. “Gracie, sweetheart, you know this isn’t forever, don’t you?” His voice was gentle and more serious than she’d ever heard it. “You’ve been a good friend to me, and I wouldn’t hurt you for anything, but I’m just not a settlin’ down guy. It isn’t too late for you to change your mind if you don’t think you can handle something temporary.”

She’d known

from the beginning this wasn’t forever, but she didn’t believe he wasn’t a settlin’ down guy. He simply wouldn’t be settlin’ down with someone ordinary like her. He was used to bombshell blondes and drop-dead redheads, to women who made a career out of aerobicizing their bodies and augmenting their breasts. To beauty queens and rodeo queens and models who posed in nothing but a smile. His future wife would be somebody like that, but Gracie very much hoped she’d have brains, too, or he’d never be happy.

She breathed in his scent and traced the outline of the faded L on his old high school T-shirt with the pad of her finger. “It’s all right. I’m not expecting happily-ever-after.” She tilted her face up at him and regarded him with great seriousness. “I don’t want anything from you.”

He lifted an eyebrow, clearly bewildered by her statement.

“I mean it, you know. I don’t want clothes or money or your autograph for any of my relatives. I’m not going to sell your story to the tabloids or ask you to make business contacts for me. When the picture’s done, I’m going to give you back your Super Bowl ring and the keys to your Thunderbird. I’m not going to take anything from you.”

His eyes were shuttered, his expression inscrutable. “I don’t know why you’re saying all this.”

“Of course, you do. People are always taking something from you, but I won’t be one of them.” She lifted her hand and traced the hard line of his jaw with her fingers. Then she removed his Stetson and dropped it behind the seat.

“Bobby Tom, show me how to please you.”

His eyes squeezed shut and, just for an instant, she thought she felt him tremble, but when they opened, she saw the familiar amusement lurking there.

“You got your fancy underwear on tonight?”

“Yes.”

“That’s a good start.”

She licked her lips, suddenly remembering she’d forgotten something very important. Determined to sound matter-of-fact, she cleared her throat. “I’m— You probably need to know before we go any farther . . . I’m taking birth control pills,” she said in a rush.

“Are you now?”

“Right before I left New Grundy, I decided that since this was going to be a fresh start for me, I needed to be prepared so I didn’t miss any . . . new experiences.” She made eye contact with the flying T on his shirt. “But even though I’m prepared, I know you’ve led an active life.” Once again she cleared her throat. “Sexually speaking.” She paused. “So I’ll expect you to . . . You’ll have to use a condom.”

He smiled. “I know this conversation isn’t easy for you, but you’ve done the right thing bringing it up, and you make sure you do exactly the same thing with your future lovers.” A shadow passed over his face, and the muscles around his mouth tightened. Then he rubbed his knuckles across her cheek. “Now, I’m going to tell you something, and even though it’s the truth, I don’t want you to believe me for a second because men don’t like to use condoms, and they’ll say just about anything to avoid wearing them.

The fact is, sweetheart, I’m clean as a whistle, and I’ve had the blood tests to prove it. Even before those paternity suits, I was real careful in my relationships with the opposite sex.”

“I believe you.”

He sighed. “What am I gonna do with you? You know I tell more lies than Pinocchio. I’m the last person on earth you should believe about something this important.”

“You’re the first one I’d believe. I’ve never known anyone who hates to hurt other people as much as you do. It’s ironic, isn’t it, considering the violent way you made your living?”

“Gracie?”

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