Page 30 of Texas Scandal

“I’d like that a lot, actually,” Melody said. She glanced over at Tiernan. He’d done so much for her, there was no way she was keeping him from his work the whole day. Plus, the day wasn’t turning out like she’d expected. There were other stops needing to be made, too. She could swing by on her own tonight, maybe even bring Loki with her. “Any chance we could come by tonight instead? Maybe bring dinner?”

Bebe smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes. “That would be nice.”

“Six o’clock okay?” Melody asked.

“Six o’clock,” Bebe parroted as Loki came running toward them. “I’d better get back inside. Let me give my number in case you need to get a hold of me.”

Melody grabbed her cell phone and entered Bebe’s number.

“It’s really good to meet you,” Melody said when they were finished. “And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry about my father.”

“He helped make you,” Bebe said with a wink. “That means he couldn’t have been all bad.”

Melody hadn’t thought about it that way. She’d put her father on a pedestal until the bubble had burst. And then she’d seen only the worst in him. No one was all bad or good. There had to be layers in between, gray area.

As Bebe walked away, Melody turned toward Tiernan, emotion welling up inside her like a squall. More than anything, she wanted to lean into his comfort and draw from his strength while the storm blew through her. Get lost in him?

For reasons she refused to examine, she walked right up to Tiernan and said, “Where do you stand on kissing?”

Chapter Twelve

Tiernan didn’t need a whole lot of convincing to bring his hands up to cup Melody’s cheeks and his lips down on hers. The second they touched, a full-fledged fireworks show went off inside his chest. This was the new benchmark for kissing, and he lacked the will to stop. He suspected a wildfire this raging wouldn’t come along a whole lot in one lifetime. All he could do at this point was surrender. The damage was going to be vast and deep. He’d deal with the destruction later.

Loki was right beside them, his body against Tiernan’s leg. The dog stayed put as Melody’s hands came up to brace herself against Tiernan’s chest. He dropped his own far enough to take her by the wrists and lower her hands to her sides. Looping his arms around her waist, he pulled her body flush with his. More of those rockets exploded as he splayed his hand on her lower back.

She tasted like honey as he drove his tongue inside her mouth. He wanted more but this wasn’t the place for it. He couldn’t stop, either. His heart pounded the inside of his ribs, and it was suddenly like he’d just run a marathon for how intense his breathing had become.

This time, Melody pulled back first. He leaned into her and rested his forehead on hers as he caught his breath. “You’re beautiful.”

“So are you,” she said. The comment made him crack a smile. He found her hand and then walked her over to the passenger side before opening the door. Loki immediately jumped into the back seat of the dual cab.

Tiernan closed the door after Melody claimed her seat. He took his next and she filled him in on her conversation with Bebe.

“I told her we’d be back for dinner, but I know you have work, so I can come on my own,” she said.

There was no way in hell that he would stand by and let her take off on her own without him. Not with how wily the sheriff was being with the murder case. Tiernan didn’t trust the man as far as he could throw him. Not to mention a killer was still on the loose. “I’ll come back with you.”

“Are you sure you won’t have to work?” she asked. “Because I thought maybe I could bring Loki with me to keep me company on the ride.”

“He would like that,” he said, touched by the fact she wanted to spend time with Loki. The two had become fast friends despite her childhood bite experience. Some folks never got over a trauma like that one. The fact they were bonding warmed his heart—a heart that was opening up more and more as he spent time with Melody. “I’d feel a whole lot better if I came with you. Plus, I’d like to learn more about Jason and his mother.” He was also thinking of ways he could possibly help her with taking care of her son’s burial. “Sounds like she could use a few friends right now.”

“I’m sure she would like having you there,” Melody said. “I know it would mean a lot to me, too.”

Was it a good idea to get this close to Melody? Logic argued against his heart. It wanted to see where this could go. The thought of being away from her caused a foreign ache in his chest. It was probably nothing more than his protective instincts on overdrive.

“Then, I’ll figure out the rest,” he said, assuming his timelines were short, and he sure didn’t want to disappoint a customer. Meeting his deadlines would take some finesse. Everything was doable with the right attitude.

They arrived home in time for a quick lunch of sandwiches and chips, deciding against making a stop to see her father in prison. Melody unpacked in the guest room while he pulled the meal together. By the time she returned, he had food on the table.

She picked up the plates. “No, sir. You don’t have time for this.” She motioned toward the sliding glass door. “I’ll feed you while you work if I have to so you can meet your deadlines.”

It had been a long time since someone had taken care of Tiernan. His independent streak was a mile long and Corinne had all but told him that his job was to tend to her. It was a nice change of pace to be with Melody. She had a similar stubborn streak but put others first instead of only thinking about her needs. The proof was in offering to come back to have dinner with Bebe. Melody must have sensed the woman didn’t have anyone else. The fact she was at work the day after her only son’s body was found spoke a whole lot about her loneliness. His heart went out to the woman. He couldn’t imagine loving and protecting someone, from literally helpless infant to a young person full of life ahead and promise, only to have it all cut short. His chest squeezed thinking about the loss, the hurt.

“My workshop is this way,” he said to Melody, grabbing keys off the ring before leading the way outside and to the building behind. His pride and joy. He didn’t normally lock the door. These were different times.

The workshop was a converted barn, complete with barn doors that slid open. He’d left the metal bar on the outside for show and ambiance. It reminded him of growing up at Hayes Cattle Ranch and his family business. His grandfather might have soured him and his siblings on working there but that didn’t mean his childhood on the ranch hadn’t been incredible. He’d run around on the property like a wild buck, roaming free on too-hot summer days. Every last one of them worked to keep up the ranch. Duncan Hayes had hired hands once the kids grew up and took off. Now, he was gone and Tiernan was dragging his heels getting home to find out what was on his mother’s mind. She’d called a family meeting. He suspected it was to figure out what to do with the business now that Duncan was gone. A conversation no one had wanted to have.

At this point, half of them had gone back. He wasn’t ready. His own business had been as good excuse as any.

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