Between Hope & the Highway (6 page)

I started singing
Happy Birthday
off key.

When I finished, he said, “That was truly awful, bro.”

I laughed. “What you gonna do to celebrate being twenty-three?”

“I’d like to sleep for three more hours,” he grumped.

“Be glad I didn’t call you four hours ago.”

“I might’ve thrown my phone across the room.”

“Do you have to model today?”

“Hell, yeah.”

I winced and wondered if I dared suggest he clean up his language. Lizzie would appreciate that when he returned. I’d been trying to curb my cussing. She gave me alternatives to use like gosh, dang, heck, and crap. She didn’t accept my excuse that cows and horses only understood swear words. My brother’s next words would have burned her delicate ears.

“This freaking job…” except he didn’t say freaking, “…never ends.”

“You sound upset.”

I heard him sigh. “Don’t worry about me, kid.”

“I always worry about you, homey. Now tell me what’s wrong.”

“Yo dawg, why you got to be all up in my grill so early this morning?”

I chuckled at his gangster lingo. “Cuz you my bro, man. Now what’s eating at you, dawg? Are you having girl problems?” My brother hadn’t come home for Christmas because of some broad, so I figured a girl must have lured him to Europe.

Hearing muffled swearing on his end, I said, “Sorry. It’s none of my business.”

“Nah, kid. It’s not that. You’re the best bro-ster ever, but you’re just so damn perceptive it’s scary. I guess in a way, I’m having girl problems. I came here to get away from my !@#$%&*!” My ears burned at the names he called his ex. “But I’m over her now and want to come home.”

“Great. When’s your flight?”

“Hold your horses, kid. I still have six weeks left on my contract.”

Hope squashed as fast as it’d bloomed.

“Do me a favor though. Tell old Larry to get my horse in shape. I want to burn through those hills when I return. I don’t need no fat, lazy—”

“Don’t stress about Darth Bayder. Lizzie’s taking good care of him. She rides him—”

“What!” he yelled. “That girl,” he said it not very nicely, “is riding
my
horse?”

“Yeah,” I mumbled. He hadn’t sounded too impressed when I first mentioned that Dad had hired a girl, but I didn’t think he’d freak out about her exercising his horse. He should be grateful.

“No one except Larry or Dad is supposed to touch Bayder. He’s incredibly valuable. Why is that girl,” he spat again, “anywhere near him?”

“Lizzie’s better than Larry with the horses.” Shoot, she was better than about anyone.

“Let me talk to Dad.”

I hobbled downstairs to find Dad and listened as he told Rawson that Liz was better than Larry had been even in his prime. I don’t know what else my brother said, but Dad growled, “No! I haven’t gone soft in my old age, except where Larry’s concerned. He’s worked for me for over thirty years and his heart’s bad. I brought Liz in to help him since you’re too caught up in seeing the world to fulfill your responsibilities.”

I was glad he stuck up for Lizzie, but sad he needed to. Dad handed me the phone and marched out of the room. Rawson always set him off when they argued, which was almost constantly.

“You there, Big Ben?” I heard him ask as I put the receiver to my ear.

“Yeah.”

“Sorry for blowing up.”

“It’s all right. I can see why you’d worry. You haven’t met Liz, but trust me, she’s amazing. Even Dad thinks so, and you know how difficult he is to please.”

He grunted. “The amazing horse whisperer.”

“Exactly. You’ll love her. She’s even a
Star Wars
fanatic like you. How great is that?” All right, so maybe I stretched the truth since Liz hadn’t even watched
Attack of the Clones
or
Revenge of the Sith
until I showed them to her. I thought every American had seen all the
Star Wars
movies, but apparently not.

“I gotta go, bud. Thanks for starting my birthday off right with your screeching.”

“Go back to sleep and dream of Mom’s German chocolate cake.”

“Oh, that was low, bro.”

After we hung up, I checked another day off my calendar. Only six weeks left. I knew once Rawson returned and met Liz, he wouldn’t complain, because she was seriously the best thing since French fries and milkshakes. At least, that’s what I thought.

Chapter 9

Rawson

Pink-hued clouds rolled out to the horizon as my taxi turned at the gate to my family ranch. The Bar-M-Law brand had been welded above a symbol of a racing horse to mark the land I called home. As we drove beneath the rustic log entrance, I looked out my window and soaked in lush rolling hills, whitewashed rail fences, Angus cattle, and distant snow-capped peaks. When the green metal roof of the arena appeared, I smiled.

Home. At last.

Since it was supper time, I directed the cabbie to pull behind the detached garage so my family wouldn’t see me. “Thanks, man,” I said as I tipped him for driving me out so far.

“My pleasure.” He hopped out to unload my luggage.

Hauling it inside the garage, I propped the suitcases against the back wall and approached the house with my carry-on. I couldn’t wait to see everyone’s faces when they saw me. Entering through the mudroom, I discarded my loafers. Near the dining room, I paused and listened. When I picked out Mom’s soft voice followed by Addie’s loud bellowing “Mine,” emotions welled up inside me. I bowed my head, grateful that some things never changed.

Creeping upstairs, I peeled off my shirt and grinned as I passed Benny’s room. My family had no clue I’d charmed my way out of the last two weeks of my contract. Looking over my shoulder to make sure the hallway was clear, I turned the knob and entered my room.

Someone coming from the other direction smacked right into me. As delicate fingers splayed against my bare chest, I grabbed onto the yelping intruder and pinned her against the wall. Wide, brown eyes gazed up at me.

“Who are you, and what are you doing in my room?” I demanded.

“Your room?” Wisps of blond hair curled along high cheekbones, framing a delicate face.

“Yes. My room.” The girl struggled as I glared down at her.

“Let go of me.”

I gave her a gentle shove. “Tell me!”

“Benny!” she shouted.

I stepped back, wondering how she knew my brother.

Bentley appeared panicked as he threw himself inside my room. But when he saw me, his mouth formed an O. “Rawson?” He hobbled in and threw his arms around my bare torso.

The girl scowled as she straightened her shirt and put distance between us.

“Lizzie,” Benny laughed, “it’s my brother. He’s back.” A goofy grin made his eyes light up. “When did you get here? I thought you weren’t coming home for two more weeks. Oh, it’s so good to see you.”

As he hugged me, I perused my room…or what used to be my room. Obviously it wasn’t anymore. My navy blue and brown decor had been replaced by a feminine turquoise and yellow palette. Though my king bed still sat below the arched windows, a frilly, white, eyelet comforter proclaimed it wasn’t mine now. I’d been displaced.

I ruffled my kid brother’s moppy hair. “It’s good to be back.” My gaze snapped to the sour-faced girl with the poofy ponytail standing next to a wicker bureau. She must be the new hand my brother had told me about. I still couldn’t believe Dad had hired a female, and put her in my old room to boot. What was he thinking?

Benny beamed as he looked between us. “This is Liz Ruthersford. She’s—”

“—the new girl riding my best horse.” I cut him off.

She straightened and threw out her hand. “And you must be Rawson.”

Benny grinned, unaware of the tension building between us. I grudgingly shook her proffered hand. “The one and only.”

“Thank heavens for small mercies,” she muttered.

I clenched her fingers. “Since I’m home now, I’ll be handling Bayder.” I lowered my voice. “You might steal my room, but you won’t steal my horse.”

She shook loose of my grip. “I didn’t…uh…I…” Going by how she couldn’t piece two words together, I’d flustered her.

I tipped an imaginary hat. “Nice to meet you,” I said coldly as I slipped out the door and marched to Benny’s room.

My little brother followed, energy almost making him bounce. “I can’t wait until Mom sees ya.”

“Settle down, kid. Let me get dressed.” I tossed my offending garment on the floor and retrieved a fresh T-shirt from my carry-on.

He contorted his lips and nose into one of his goofball faces. “And I just thought you were trying to impress Lizzie by flaunting your six-pack.”

“Ha ha.” I snapped my fingers and pointed to his bed-stand. “I want my lamp back. I’m gonna need it to get out of this slimy mud hole.”

He didn’t miss a beat. “Mud hole? Slimy? My home this is.”

I pulled him into a bear hug. “Your Yoda impression is improving.”

“I watched all the
Star Wars
movies this past month with Lizzie.”

I bit my tongue at the mention of the intruder’s name.

“Hurry. I’m dying to take you downstairs and surprise everyone.” Benny’s head slumped onto his shoulder as he twisted his fingers together.

Feeling anxious to see the rest of the family as well, I checked my reflection. “Let’s go shock ’em, kid.”

I couldn’t wait to spring my surprise.

Chapter 10

Liz

My heart threatened to pound out of my chest as I slipped into the dining room. Mr. Law glanced up from his iPhone and tossed me a rare smile.

“Lithie!” Addie boomed across the table.

I forced a smile, then cleared my throat. “Um…I…just ran into your son upstairs. Rawson.”

All eyes focused on me.

“He seemed…um…quite upset I was in his room. Uh, maybe I should move back out to the garage.”

“Nonsense,” Mr. Law snapped his words like a command. “Rawson gave up right to that room when he took off to Europe. Besides, Charity already redecorated. If my son wants yellow butterflies and daisies on his walls, I might disown him.”

Mrs. Law stood behind her husband and squeezed his shoulders. “I didn’t paint butterflies on the walls, you goose.” She pecked his cheek and grabbed Addie’s hand. “Is he still upstairs?”

I nodded.

Her grin widened. “Excuse us for a moment. I need to welcome my boy.”

As they disappeared around the corner, I heard Addie scream “Roth-un!” at the top of her lungs. Benny and his brother laughed the same endearing way…a snorting-guffaw combination.

I squirmed in my seat. Rawson Law had scared the Wheaties out of me when he barged into my room half-naked and pushed me against the wall. I guess I would’ve been upset too if I’d come home from college to find my room given to a stranger. In my defense though, I hadn’t known the Laws put me in their oldest son’s room. I mean, it smelled of fresh paint when I moved in, but I hadn’t realized why.

Mr. Law kept reading emails on his phone as I tried to lower my heart rate. When the rest of the family entered, I couldn’t help but notice how handsome Benny’s older brother was. His light brown hair had blond highlights and had been styled to appear as if a woman had playfully run her fingers through it. I wouldn’t mind doing just that. A sexy five o’clock shadow emphasized gorgeous lips, and dark brows and lashes framed startling blue-green eyes that made my heart skip a beat.

“Thanks for ruining my surprise, Miss Ruthersford.” The way he pronounced my name sounded like a curse.

“Oh, don’t act like an @$&.” Mr. Law called his son the crude form of donkey, and Addie promptly tried to imitate him.

“Ash!” she bellowed.

Rawson’s lips twitched as Charity chided her husband. “Bart, watch your language in front of the children.”

“I-I’m so sorry,” I stammered.

“You have nothing to be sorry for, Liz.” Bart glared at his oldest son. “Let’s say grace so I can eat. I have to meet with Abe before he heads to town.”

After a short blessing, we dished out food. Feeling terrible for inadvertently stealing not only his room but his thunder, I avoided making eye contact with Rawson. It was difficult to do. I found him completely captivating as he played with his sister. Addie usually tormented us as we ate, but tonight she focused on him. To his credit, he took her shenanigans in stride, eating while she climbed on his back, strangled his neck, and even shoved her fingers up his nose.

When he caught me watching, the playful glint in his eyes vanished and his enticing lips tightened. “Benny said you’re from Vegas.”

I dabbed my napkin to my mouth, wishing I’d taken time to apply lip gloss. “That’s right.”