Hallie's Destiny (The Donovans of the Delta) (2 page)

Heaving a resigned sigh, she dumped the ruined steak into a paper bag and started around the bend. She found Josh standing over his grill, tending his coals and whistling.

“Good evening.”

“Well, hello there. Up to mischief again, Hallie?”

“You’re the one who keeps causing the mischief.”

“Came around the bend for a little neighborly argument, did you?” he asked with a smile.

She wished he wouldn’t smile. Texas wasn’t big enough for both of them when he smiled. “Actually, I’m doing a good deed.”

Josh threw back his head and roared with laughter.

“You’re a dangerous woman, Hallie. That poor recipient is in a hell of a lot of trouble. Who is he, by the way? Anyone I know?”

“Unfortunately.” Behind her back, she shifted the paper bag from one hand to the other. “Preparing your evening meal, I suppose?”

“Yes. Since I didn’t have much luck at the lake, I’m having steak.”

“I was afraid of that.”

“You have something against steak?”

“No. Steak is lovely—unless it’s been chewed by a dog.” She held out the paper bag. “My dog, I’m sorry.”

She watched the puzzlement on his face change to laughter as he peered inside the sack. “Hallie Donovan, that’s twice you’ve deprived me of my supper.”

“I’m going to pay you for the steak. It’s the least I can do.”

“Absolutely not.”

“I insist.” She glanced toward his rig parked beside his camp. “Unless, of course, you’re an independently wealthy trucker. You are a trucker, aren’t you?”

“Yes. Just ended a long haul to Dallas.” Josh felt like a heel. He hated not being able to tell Hallie the whole truth. Nobility almost won out over common sense, but before he turned the moment into a confessional, he made himself think of his dad and his brother, one sad and bitter, the other a broken alcoholic. And both of them victims of women.

“Forget the money,” he said. “It’s not important.”

“The least I can do is offer you a meal. The catfish I caught this afternoon is more than big enough for two. It’s already cooked and waiting. Why don’t you join me?”

Gazing down at her, he found it hard to believe that someone as spontaneous and animated as Hallie could be capable of inflicting pain. It was a pity the fairer sex didn’t live up to their packaging.

Hallie took his hesitation for reluctance. Once she set out to do a good deed, she’d be darned if she’d let anything stop her. “All strictly business, of course. There’s no crime in two vagabonds sharing an evening meal. Especially since one is the cause of the other being without.”

“How can I resist such an invitation? Thank you, Hallie. I’d love to eat with you. Shall we take this back to your hungry dog?” He indicated the sack in his hand.

“We can take it, but I doubt that either of my pets will eat it. They’re so well fed, they wobble when they walk. I believe Ludwig stole your dinner just to prove what a great hunter he is.”

Together they walked back to Hallie’s campsite. It was a short walk, around the bend and through a thick grove of trees, easily within hearing distance of his camp but hidden from his view.

The spring night had grown chilly. Hallie had a pleasant fire going, and they settled down beside it to eat their catfish. Josh found that small talk was easy with her.

“This is delicious, Hallie. You caught and cleaned this fish yourself?”

“Yes. That’s something I learned from my brothers. Back home, if you caught a fish, you cleaned it.

“Where is back home?”

“Greenville, Mississippi.”

“You’re a woman of many talents. What do you do—besides catch fish, cook them to perfection, and go skinny-dipping?”

“Skinny-dipping is my main occupation, but the pay isn’t very good.”

He chuckled. “I deserved that. You can’t blame a man for not being able to get the skinny-dipping off his mind. It was memorable, to say the least.”

“So was the sight of you holding that catch. Pity it couldn’t have been bigger—size 36D. Then you would really have had a fish story to talk about.”

“I like a woman with a sense of humor, Hallie.” He raked his eyes over her before continuing. “You never answered my question.”

“I used to model some, back when I was still in school, before I married Robert Gilbert.”

“And after?”

She didn’t discuss her marriage often, even with her family, but she found it hard to evade Josh. He had a way of making even the simplest statements sound like commands. At the same time, he evoked feelings of trust in her. He reminded her of her brothers. She found herself wanting to confide in him.

“I was young and in love. At first I wanted to spend all my time with Robert. I gave up modeling."

She stopped. She’d given up a lot of things—her school, her friends, eventually her freedom—and not because she’d wanted to. One by one Robert had cut those things out of her life, substituting the best clothes, the best clubs, the best house, the best car—everything that money could buy. And she’d been too young and naive to stop him. She was older now, wiser, and no man would ever take her freedom away again.

She watched Josh pick up a stick and add it to the fire. When he settled back down, he was sitting so close to Hallie, their legs touched. He seemed so nonchalant, so innocent, that she was sure the move wasn’t deliberate. The thought didn’t make her a darned bit more comfortable, however. Josh was every inch a man. Just a casual brushing of his leg against hers felt intimate. It probably didn’t mean a thing to him, but she wasn’t taking any chances. She eased away from the contact, hoping he wouldn’t notice.

He did. One eyebrow quirked upward. “Do I bother you?”

“Absolutely not. I thought I’d add another stick to the fire.”

“By all means.”

She swept her hand over the ground, but there was not even a twig nearby. To save face she got up, found a small branch, and added it to the fire. Then, just so Josh Butler would be absolutely positive that Hallie Donovan wasn’t at all bothered by his charms, she sat down so close to him that one more inch would have put her directly in his lap. She felt the heat of him all the way from her hip to her ankle. She suddenly realized her ploy might backfire, but it was too late now.

She heard his soft chuckle. “I find these camping trips to be pleasant outings. Very relaxing. Don’t you, Hallie?”

“Certainly.”

“Then why is your hand balled into a fist?” He reached for her hand and gently pried her fingers apart.

“I like to keep in practice . . . just in case I have to use it.”

He laughed. “I can assure you my intentions are strictly honorable.”

She wasn’t used to being embarrassed around man. To cover her confusion, she dropped her gaze. Then she wished she hadn’t. If his jeans hugged his hips any tighter, he’d have to register his body as a lethal weapon. Quickly she looked up again. She could have died on the spot. He was watching her, and from the smile on his face, she knew that he’d seen exactly where she’d been looking.

If he said anything, she vowed she would use her fist. Fortunately, he didn’t.

“You said ‘at first’ you were content to be with your husband. What about later?” he asked.

He made the transition to ordinary conversation so smoothly, she almost could have sworn nothing had happened between them.

“No subject is more boring that the tale of a failed marriage. Tell me about yourself. Where is your home?”

“North Alabama.” He quickly switched the topic back to her. “You never did get around to telling me what you do now.”

“My face is too old for modeling anymore.”

“Too old?”

“I’m twenty-nine. Nobody’s clamoring for me. I stay solvent by doing a little leg and hand modeling. And I pick up cash doing a few other crazy things. Mostly though, I live free, unencumbered by nine-to-five jobs and material possessions. That way I can go where whim takes me.”

“A Peter Pan existence. I almost envy you.”

She turned to look into his face. “You? What can offer more freedom than trucking, traveling the open roads?”

“Truckers have schedules to keep.”

Hallie accepted his answer without comment. For a while they were silent.

Beside them the lake made soft lapping sounds against the shore. An owl called from somewhere in the trees, and a shooting star fell across the sky.

“Look,” Josh said, pointing skyward. “Did you see that, Hallie?”

She tilted her head up. “Yes.”

“Make a wish.”

Josh saw her close her eyes, saw her long lashes flutter. She was beautiful, he thought. And much too tempting for any man to resist. His hand cupped her face.

Her eyes snapped open, but she didn’t pull away.

“I don’t know why they aren’t clamoring for that face,” he whispered. “It’s incredible.” His fingers caressed her skin. “So soft, so smooth.”

“I’ve always loved having my face touched.” She closed her eyes, letting the pleasure fill her. She knew she was courting danger, but she decided to let the moment be, to take what it offered and try not to analyze the situation. She’d think about it tomorrow.

Even with her eyes closed, she knew when Josh leaned closer. She felt his breath, warm against her cheek, and smelled his skin, clean and spicy

“Hallie, did any man ever tell you that you look good enough to eat?”

“No.”

“Then they’ve all been fools. Good enough to eat. . .” His tongue flicked out and circled her lips. “. . . but I’ve already had supper.” Abruptly she felt herself being put aside, stuck back on the shelf as if she were a rejected doll. She had to brace herself with her hands to keep from toppling backward.

Hallie’s eyes snapped open. Josh was getting up swiftly, towering over her. She wasn’t about to let him have the last word or the advantage. Jumping up, she stretched to her full five feet nine inches—ten counting the heels on her cowboy boots.

“It’s a darned good thing. I certainly had no intention of being dessert.”

“I’ve no doubt that you would be a delectable one, Hallie, but I’m not in the mood for sweets.”

“If you do get in the mood, take my advice and go to a candy store.”

Suddenly he reached out and caught her hands. Prying the fingers open, he lifted her palms to his lips. “I’m sorry, Hallie. I didn’t mean for the evening to end this way. It’s been too lovely to spoil. Forgive me?”

“I always had trouble staying mad at men who look like golden lions.” She smiled. “But, in the future, I think it’s best if you stay on your side of the cove and I stay on mine.”

“Agreed, Hallie. Take care.”

“May the wind be at your back, Josh.”

She watched until he was around the bend, then she kicked the tin pan she had used for a plate. It made a loud, satisfying twanging sound.

Wolfgang and Ludwig came up to investigate. Hallie cuddled their big heads. “For Pete’s sake. I’m glad he’s gone. Good riddance, I say. What more does a girl need than her two best friends. Huh, fellows?”

She began to prepare for bed.

 o0o

Josh wasn’t around the bend before he started muttering to himself.

“Where did all this nobility come from? I had her right there in my arms, ready and willing. She’s a grown woman. What harm would there have been? A brief fling is just what I need right now. But, no. I had to play Sir Galahad.”

He stomped into his camp, jerked off his boots, and climbed into his bedroll. He figured if he tried to undress, he’d rip all the buttons off his shirt.

He lay rigid, expecting sleep to claim him at any moment. He never had trouble sleeping when he was on the road. Insomnia occurred only when he was back home in Florence, coping with the business and taking care of his dad and his brother.

He tossed and turned until the moon had begun to drop out of sight. “Damned good thing I left. Women are nothing but a pack of trouble.” With that final proclamation, he fell asleep.

CHAPTER TWO

Hallie woke up in time to watch the sunrise. She loved seeing the majestic way each day began, a sudden dawning of colors so glorious she knew God was in charge. A great sense of peace enfolded her as the sun spread its splendor across the sky.

Afterward she fed her dogs and took her spinning reel to the lake. The morning was so still she could hear all the sounds of nature—the aria of a mockingbird greeting the day, the whirr of wings as a dragonfly passed close by, the soft sighing of water against the shoreline. But there were no sounds from around the bend, no banging of pots and pans, no radio music, nothing to give her a clue about Josh Butler. For all she knew, he might have packed up in the middle of the night and gone somewhere else. Not that she cared. As a matter of fact, it would probably be for the best.

She kicked off her shoes and waded out into the water. Standing thigh-deep in it, she craned her neck to see if she could get a partial view of Josh’s campsite, but the trees got in her way.

“Well, shoot.” She couldn’t go any deeper into the water without getting her shorts wet, so she leaned out as far as she could. Her heavy hair pulled her hair ribbon loose, and the ends dangled in the water.

Hallie straightened up, laughing at herself. If her brother Tanner had seen her trying to spy on Josh Butler, he’d have said, “Hallie, if you’re that curious, why don’t you go on around the bend and take a look?” If she were that curious, she probably would. She didn’t know why she wanted to see him anyhow. He was an aggravating man— charming, but aggravating.

Hallie turned back to her fishing. Within minutes she had caught a nice-sized bass. She grilled the fish for breakfast, then whistled for her dogs. She climbed into her El Dorado and headed for the convenience store and her friend, Raymond.

Raymond’s grin was so big, she could see the gold tooth at the back of his mouth. “Well, Miss Hallie, if you don’t look like a breath of fresh air. What brings you out our way? Camping again?”

She hugged his neck and watched him turn red with embarrassed pleasure. “Yes. And fishing.”

“Fish biting?”

“They always bite for me, Raymond.”

He slapped his knee and laughed. “They’re scared not to. Scared you’ll come plunging in that lake with a rope and lasso ‘em. You still rodeoing, Hallie?”