Back to Texas (5 page)

“They’re usually hiring.” Bridgett added. She knew Mazie couldn’t let Adam remain at the Bed & Biscuit much longer seeing as it was booked for the entire fall season. A job at Bridle Dance meant he’d have a bed in the bunkhouses. “I’ll see what I can find out.”

“That would be great,” Adam enthused. “Thank you.”

Bridgett couldn’t help feeling excited. It wasn’t as if she already had a job waiting for her in another town, after all. She could continue to look while spending time with Adam. It was amazing how much things could change in a day. This morning she’d craved peace and normalcy and by nightfall, she had something much better. Excitement of the sexy male persuasion.

* * *

B
RIDGETT
HAD
ALREADY
left for work by the time Adam woke the following morning. Braving his voice mail, he switched on his phone. Thirty-six messages and none from his sister. He deleted most of them and called his accountant to arrange for a large anonymous donation to Dance of Hope.

A little before noon, Bridgett knocked on his door. Maggie had demanded she take the rest of the weekend off. Apparently, she hadn’t had a day off in almost a month.

“Since I’m free, would you like to go to the festival with me?” Bridgett asked.

“I’d love to.”

“Give me a few to change and I’ll meet you downstairs.”

Adam closed the door and began to gather the notes he had scattered on the bed. He’d taken a quick trip to the stationery store earlier for some notebooks and pens. He’d had nothing on him when he’d arrived at Lizzy’s. He’d left the majority of his personal belongings on the tour bus. It wasn’t anything he couldn’t replace. And his stage clothes and instruments were in the tractor trailers on their way back to LA.

Adam could use a mental break for the remainder of the afternoon. He’d started a list of people he needed to contact, and had attempted to write his own press release. Well, it resembled one anyway. His publicist would tidy it up. Timing was crucial. But before he did anything, he had to talk to his band.

The way they’d left things that final night hadn’t been good. The tabloids speculated this was their last tour. Tours were predictably unpredictable. Shove four grown men inside a tin can for a year, and they were bound to come out fighting. They’d fulfilled their five-album deal and completed a six-continent tour. They had all assumed they wouldn’t continue, but nothing was in writing. And until it was, they were still together.

Adam waited for Bridgett outside on the front stairs. The scent of street food and the sound of children’s laughter greeted him. Hearing the screen squeak open, Adam rose. Once again, her natural beauty stunned him. She wore a short, pale yellow floral print dress, denim jacket and the same inlaid-heart boots from yesterday. Her hair fell freely around her shoulders and it took every ounce of restraint he had not to walk over and kiss her.

She reminded him of home. Not someone he’d met before, but the actual comforts of home. Her casualness refreshing. Her smile warm and genuine. Her Texas drawl familiar and inviting. Adam’s breath hitched. Was it her? Or was it the idea of her captivating him? If he wanted to be fair to Bridgett, he’d better figure that out before he even thought of kissing her.

“Shall we?” Bridgett stepped onto the walkway and stood mere inches from him. Placing his hand on the small of her back, he opened the gate leading to the sidewalk. He moved them quickly into the crowded streets so he wouldn’t be tempted to sweep her into his arms.

What is wrong with me?
Adam wasn’t the mushy type or even the romantic type. He was the “get in, get out, move on to the next town” type. His schedule was hectic and he only knew two speeds...fast and faster. The entire point of him driving cross country was to prepare himself for a slower, more reasonable pace. Last night he’d told them he wanted a job in town. Not that he needed one, but he wanted one. He craved a life of his own, in a town where people knew him as Adam Steele. It was a fantasy. Once people found out who he really was, that fantasy would end. And whatever was growing between him and Bridgett would likely end, too. His stomach knotted at the thought.

“Candied apple?” Bridgett held a bright red orb on a stick in front of him.

“No, thank you.” Adam reached in his pocket and paid for hers before she opened her purse. “I’m more the candy corn type.”

“Thank you.” Bridgett said, biting through the hard outer shell, into the juicy apple beneath. “Oh, this is good.”

“I bet.” Adam swallowed hard.

Good God!
It was an apple and she made eating it look seductive. Adam quickly glanced around to see if the rest of the male population was watching, but no one paid any attention to either one of them. It was a surreal experience standing in the middle of a crowd and being able to breathe. No one shouted his name or demanded an autograph. No one pushed or shoved against his bodyguards while he attempted to walk. Yes, he could definitely get used to this.

“We can’t miss the parade.” Bridgett grabbed his hand, leading him to Shelby Street, where people had begun to line up on either side of the road. “Afterward, we vote on our favorite float and the winner will lead the Christmas parade.”

The town erupted in cheers when the parade began. It was impossible not to get carried away with the rest of the crowd. Bridle Dance’s float was first—a few of their prized horses pulled a meticulously restored buckboard, with Kay Langtry at the reins. Children filled the wagon with their mothers, waving to the crowd.

“Hi, Adam!” Ever called out to him as she rode by.

Unable to speak, Adam waved in return and wrapped his other arm around Bridgett, pulling her close to him.
Dammit, I want this life.

They voted for their favorite float and chatted with more people than he’d possibly remember. As they continued to weave through the vendors’ tables. Bridgett danced and spun in front of him, modeling a gauzy ivory scarf. Tossing one end in the air, she caught it on the other side of him.

“Now I’ve got you.” Bridgett smiled and tugged him closer. Before he could blink, she released him and turned to pay the man.

“Let me.” Adam reached past her, his chest flattening against her back.

“You already paid for my apple.” Bridgett tilted her head back, causing their cheeks to rub.

Adam slinked his arm around her waist and twirled her away from the display table. He tucked a folded fifty into the vendor’s palm and nodded, silently telling the man to keep the change. When he turned around, Bridgett had draped the scarf around her neck.

“Thank you, again.” She smiled. “But no more gifts.”

“We’ll see.” Adam took her hand in his again and they continued to the next table, a local stained-glass artist’s.

“I’m really sorry about what happened with Mayor Fox,” the woman said while Bridgett peered over the colorful trinkets.

Bridgett froze and Adam swore he heard her teeth grind together. “Thank you.” A visible chill passed through her and Adam watched the goose bumps rise on her skin. Turning away, Bridgett shook her head and walked to the next display.

“Bridgett!” A female voice called from behind them. “Bridgett, wait up.”

“I think you’re being paged?” Adam lightly touched Bridgett’s arm to stop her.

“Can’t we ignore it, please?” Bridgett reached for his hand and began to walk away.

“Bridgett.” A petite blonde ran past them and blocked their path. “I’m glad I found you. Have you thought any more about the wedding?” The woman looked up and smiled at Adam. “Hey, I’m Abby, Bridgett’s sister.”

“Adam.” He shook her hand, trying to read the blank expression on Bridgett’s face. “I didn’t realize Bridgett had a sister.”

“Neither did she up until—”

“Where’s your fiancé?” Bridgett interrupted.

Had he heard Abby correctly?

“He’s talking to Shane. The Langtrys are going to have a cutting-horse demonstration later at Bridle Dance and an open house tomorrow for Dance of Hope. I’m excited they included me in it since I just started working there. You should come by.” Abby turned to Adam. “We haven’t met before, have we?”

Adam desperately tried to hide his tension at the question, forcing himself to breathe and relax. Between the haircut, color and sun glasses, he thought he was unrecognizable. “No, ma’am, I’m new to Ramblewood.”

“Me, too! I’m still trying to remember everyone’s name!” Adam swore if Abby had a set of pom-poms, she’d have done a cheer right in the middle of the street. Adam was so relieved no one had recognized him he’d have joined her in that cheer.

“Here you are.” A tall, muscular cowboy approached them and gave Abby a quick kiss. “You’re incredibly difficult to find in a crowd. I need to tie one of those old-school bicycle flags on you so I can spot you from a distance.”

“Shouldn’t you be able to locate me anywhere, Mr. Private Investigator?” Abby rested her head against Clay’s chest. “This is Bridgett’s friend, Adam. He’s new in town, too.”

Private investigator?
This isn’t good.

The men shook hands and Adam prayed he wouldn’t do anything to raise the man’s suspicions.

“I’m Clay. Are you visiting or did you move here?”

“Visiting.” Adam noticed Bridgett shift from one foot to the other repeatedly. She was clearly uncomfortable with the conversation and he wasn’t feeling too hot with it, either. “Bridgett just finished saying how she wanted to show me something down the street. Would you excuse us?”

Without hesitation, Bridgett chimed in. “I think you’ll love it.” She linked her arm with his and began to lead him away. “I’ll see you guys later.”

“At Bridle Dance?” Abby questioned, her brow wrinkled in a plea.

“We’ll see how the rest of the day goes,” Bridgett said. “I’m not making any promises, but if I can, I will.”

Abby seemed somewhat mollified by Bridgett’s answer.

“Nice meeting you,” Clay said.

“You, too.” Adam quickened his pace to match Bridgett’s as they moved forward through the masses. Stopping near the corner, Adam drew Bridgett down a side street. “Are you okay?”

Bridgett pushed her sunglasses up, eyes glassy with tears, and shook her head. “Bear with me. This is hard to explain.”

“Come here.” Adam protectively wrapped his arm around her and they continued down the street, away from the center of town. Seeing a break between two buildings, Adam tugged Bridgett into the alley with him, away from prying eyes. Resting against the brick facade, he held both of Bridgett’s hands in his, waiting for her to speak only when she was ready.

Bridgett suddenly released his hands, slowly lifted his sunglasses and leaned into Adam. Her fingers lightly trailed down either side of his face. “I don’t want to talk about it. I don’t want to do anything except this.” Her lips brushed his, for the briefest of moments, before her body sighed into his and their kiss deepened. Adam knew he should resist. Bridgett deserved to know the truth before giving him any part of herself. But the need to hold her, to feel her in his arms was too strong.

The warmth of her mouth was an invitation while candied apple swirled with her own exotic taste. Adam slid his arms under Bridgett’s and he flattened his palms across her spine, drawing her closer. His pulse quickened. Bridgett pressed harder against him and he knew any hope of hiding his desire for her was impossible.

Reluctantly, he broke their kiss, peppering the release with light kisses until they did nothing more than gaze at each other—their breath perfectly synchronized. Neither one of them spoke. Bridgett lifted her fingers to her swollen lips and laughed softly, her eyes wandering down his chest. Her fingertips skimmed over his shirt and Adam was positive she’d feel his pounding heart. Bridgett shifted closer. Her voice barely a whisper upon his cheek, she said, “I don’t want this to end.”

Adam wasn’t sure if she meant their kiss, or whatever you called the connection developing between them. At this point, it didn’t matter. “I don’t want it to, either.”

Bridgett rolled her head. Stretching her neck, she gazed upward, her body fully touching his again. Adam ran his fingers through her hair, the waves softer than he imagined they would be. He lifted the strands and inhaled her scent before leaving a solitary kiss upon her throat.

“I have to ask you something.” Bridgett lowered her head and let out a nervous breath. “How long are you really here for?”

Adam hated to lie. At some point, he’d have to leave, even if it was only temporarily, to finish what he needed to wrap up in LA. He wished he’d met Bridgett on his way back through Texas, not on the way out. He wanted this...he wanted her...but the truth stood between them and he wasn’t sure how she’d react when she found out who he was or, more importantly, how he’d hid the truth from her.

He’d felt more alive in the past twenty-four hours and he’d certainly been more truthful than he had in the past decade. He hadn’t uttered a single lie. It was what he’d left out that would probably send Bridgett running far away.

“I’m not sure,” Adam confessed. “When I pulled into town yesterday, I figured I’d be heading out tonight. Trust me when I tell you, I don’t want to leave now that I’ve met you.”

Bridgett laughed and pulled out of his arms. “Ironic, isn’t it? I want to leave this place and you want to stay. What if I left with you?”

Her offer was tempting, but Adam recognized a part of himself in her. “You don’t have to tell me, but something’s obviously wrong.” While Adam wanted to reach out for her again, he didn’t want to pressure her. “And please don’t feel obligated to answer, but what’s the deal with you and the corrupt mayor?”

Her eyes widened and Adam wasn’t sure if it was fear or shock. “What have you heard?”

“I haven’t heard anything. I’m not blind, though. I see how you react when people mention his name.”

“I’ll give you the abridged version. Abby’s my twin sister, but—you’re going to love this—neither one of us knew it until a couple of weeks ago. My mother never saw fit to tell me she gave one of us away. Hell, Abby didn’t have any idea she’d been adopted—a major shock for her—and the
corrupt
mayor you keep hearing about happens to be our biological father. The secret’s out and he suddenly wants a relationship with me. He’s seen me practically every day of my life and now he’s okay with being my father? Yeah, I don’t think so, especially not after I found out he wanted to abort me.”