Harlequin American Romance May 2014 Bundle: One Night in Texas\The Cowboy's Destiny\A Baby for the Doctor\The Bull Rider's Family (31 page)

“Have you had time to consider my suggestion?” Buck asked.

“It’s ballsy—I’ll give you that, Cash.”

“Hey, I’ve been looking all over for you!” Mark Mitchell waved from the pastry shop steps. He shoved what was left of his doughnut into his mouth then hurried across the street. “What’s going on?” he asked.

Buck ignored Mitchell and spoke to Custer. “If you keep the town and build the resort next to it, you’ll have a unique attraction for your guests right in your backyard.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Mitchell gaped at Buck.

Custer motioned for his sidekick to shut up. “Let the man speak.”

“You’re out in the middle of nowhere.” Buck spread his arms wide. “After a few days of golf and spa treatments the guests will grow bored and want to leave. If you include Lizard Gulch as part of the resort, guests will have more to do. Kids can play miniature golf or swim in the motel pool. People can take ghost tours at night. If one of the guests’s vehicles breaks down, there’s an auto mechanic on-site.”

Buck ignored Mitchell’s derisive grunt and continued his push. “The town might seem hokey to you, but this place is a Route 66 gem. It’s got character and characters who live here. If you want to make a big impression on your guests and have them spread the word about your resort, then you keep Lizard Gulch right where it is.”

“I’d have to put money into the town. Spruce it up a bit,” Custer said, eyeing the unpaved street.

“You’re kidding, right?” Mitchell frowned. “You’re not considering his stupid idea, are you? The people here are crazy. They’ll scare the resort guests away.”

“Watch your mouth, Mitchell. The old folks are eccentric but they’re harmless.” Buck pointed to the two towering palm trees guarding the entrance to the motel and the neon sign in the shape of a giant flamingo. “The Flamingo has historic value. If word spreads that you’re trying to save a Route 66 landmark, people will want to give you their business. If they find out you want to destroy a part of America’s history, then they’ll boycott your resort and spend their money elsewhere.”

“What’s in it for you, Cash?” Custer asked. “Why do you care what happens to this desert dump?”

“He cares because he’s sleeping with the town mechanic,” Mitchell said.

Buck cared because he identified with these people. A kid didn’t grow up the son of a vamp and carry the moniker of Buck Owens Cash without having experienced his share of mockery and teasing. “The people who call Lizard Gulch home might be society misfits in your eyes, but they’re a family.” An odd family, but a family nonetheless. “You bulldoze this town and they’ll scatter to the four corners. At their age they might never see each other again.”

“He’s crazy, Jack.” Mitchell stomped his foot like a little boy. “You offer the old farts money to relocate their trailers and they’ll be out of your hair in less than twenty-four hours.”

“That plan won’t work after today’s fund-raiser,” Buck said.

“Fund-raiser for what?” Custer asked.

“To raise money to retain a lawyer to represent Lizard Gulch in a counter lawsuit against Wyndell Resorts.”

“You don’t say?” Custer grinned.

“What the hell is so funny?” Mitchell asked.

“I’ve never been sued by a town before.”

“Don’t underestimate Destiny,” Buck said. “She’s a fighter and she’ll go down swinging.”

“Who cares, as long as she goes down,” Mitchell said.

“If Destiny fails—” Buck stuck his face into Mitchell’s “—you can bet you’ll fail, too.”

“Is that a threat, Cash?” Mitchell asked.

“A warning. Word travels fast in the desert, and rural people stick together. If you swindle these people, your reputation as a lawyer will be ruined.”

Seconds ticked by, then Custer said, “I’ll speak to my team about your idea.”

“Don’t take too long. The lawyer representing Lizard Gulch isn’t being paid to twiddle his thumbs.” Buck kept a straight face when he told the lie. Custer and Mitchell didn’t need to know Destiny hadn’t hired a lawyer yet.

“Don’t worry. I got your message loud and clear.” Custer turned to his henchman. “I’m not ready to take a town vote to sell out just yet, so you’ll have to stick around here until I decide what my next move will be.”

The three men crossed the street just as Destiny walked through the motel parking lot. When she spotted Buck, her eyes rounded with shock.

Worried that she’d misinterpreted his chat with Custer and Mitchell, he hurried toward her. “Destiny, wait!” She turned her back and disappeared into the crowd.

“Buck, wait up!”

He stopped when Dixie called out his name. Custer and Mitchell continued to the motel without him. Irritated that he lost sight of Destiny, he grumbled, “I can’t talk right now.”

“You’re grouchy,” Dixie said. “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing. Where’s Nate?” He wasn’t used to seeing his sister without his nephew in her arms.

“Gavin’s watching him.”

Buck resumed walking toward the motel. He ought to be able to spot Destiny—her red locks would stand out among all the blond-haired rodeo groupies.

“What’s the hurry?” Dixie hustled along with him.

Buck slowed his steps. “What do you want, Dix?”

“I wanted to tell you we approve of Destiny.”

He scanned the sea of heads. “Who’s
we?
”

“Me and the other Cash wives.”

“Since when does the woman I date need an endorsement from all the females in the family?”

“Destiny’s on the quiet side and didn’t talk about her family, but that doesn’t matter.”

“That’s good to know.” What would his sister and sisters-in-law think of Destiny if they knew she’d been raised in truck stops by a mother who turned tricks for a living?

Dixie snagged his shirtsleeve. “How serious are things between you two?”

Pretty damn serious—
at least in Buck’s mind. “I’m not sharing any pillow talk stories with you, Dix.” He squirmed beneath her sharp stare.

“There’s trouble in paradise, isn’t there?” she said.

Possibly.
He’d promised Destiny he wouldn’t get involved in the town’s problems, but he’d interfered anyway. He wouldn’t be much of a man if he’d stood by and watched Custer and Mitchell work Destiny over like a prizefighter’s punching bag. “We’re fine.”

“Then invite Destiny to the farm. Bring her to Stagecoach in two weeks and we’ll plan a family picnic.”

The last thing he wanted to do was parade Destiny in front of his family without knowing where things stood between them. “I’ll think about it.”

“Good. Now go find your Juliet. I’m going to look for my Romeo.” Dixie walked off.

Buck pushed through the mass of people and made his way to the pool, where a stage had been set up next to the deep end. Mack and his bandmates were tuning their guitars and testing the sound system. Already a group of pretty girls had gathered by the stage, flirting with the Cowboy Rebels. He wondered if any of the girls were aware that the only single cowboy in the band was Mack.

“Hey, where have you been?” Johnny asked, approaching with the rest of Buck’s brothers.

“I had some business to take care of,” he said. “How’d you all manage to ditch your kids?”

“The twins are taking a nap and Isi’s resting with them.” Conway frowned. “She’s been tired and cranky lately. Don’t know what’s gotten into her.”

“Shannon’s worried the music will hurt Addy’s ears so she’s going to sit in the truck bed in the parking lot and listen to the concert.” Johnny shrugged. “Can’t figure that woman out. She doesn’t want our daughter’s hearing damaged, but she’s already planning out Addy’s mutton bustin’ career.”

“Ryan’s old enough to hang out by himself.” Will motioned to his teen son, talking to a man wearing a beret, plaid shorts and a tank top. “Did you know that old guy was a research scientist for Procter & Gamble?”

“Really?” Buck said.

“Ryan’s asking him about grad programs.” Will frowned. “If I let him, he’d head off to college right now.”

Buck hurt for Will. His brother had missed out on the first fourteen years of his son’s life, and he doubted Will wanted Ryan to leave home any day soon.

“Who’s watching Bandit while you guys are up here?” The black Lab had been left behind.

“Troy’s got him out at his place,” Conway said. “By the way, Troy keeps bugging me about when you’re coming back. He said if you don’t show up soon, he’s going to replace you.”

“I’ll call him in a few days.” Buck’s first priority was making sure Destiny didn’t think he’d betrayed her. If he couldn’t convince her that he’d had the town’s best interests at heart when he’d contacted Custer, then he might be asking Troy for his old job back.

Chapter Twelve

“Howdy, folks.” Mack Cash tipped his cowboy hat to the crowd gathered around the pool and spilling into the motel parking lot. “I want to thank everyone for driving out to Lizard Gulch today and showing your support for this town.”

Shouts, whistles and applause rippled through the evening air.

“For those of you who don’t know us...we’re the Cowboy Rebels.” He played a few notes on his guitar, and the rodeo groupies danced in front of the stage.

Buck shared an amused look with Johnny. The girls sure loved their brother’s deep voice. The band members were introduced and each cowboy played a solo, then Mack asked, “We got any line dancers here tonight?”

Several people raised their hands.

“I’m counting on you pretty girls up front to teach the others—” he strummed his guitar “—‘Honky Tonk Badonkadonk’!” The band kicked off the song by Trace Adkins, and the ladies formed a line alongside the pool and strutted their stuff. Before long the locals and other guests joined in.

Buck searched for Destiny among the dancers but saw no sign of her. Maybe she’d gone back to the garage. He weaved through the bodies and almost made it to the parking lot when Mitchell stepped into his path.

The former mayor was getting on his nerves. “What do you want?” he shouted over the music.

Mitchell poked Buck’s chest with his finger. “Mind your own business.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“This isn’t your town, Cash. You don’t belong here. Quit filling my boss’s ears with baloney.”

“Who says it’s baloney?” Buck sensed his brothers closing in—they always had each other’s back. Then he caught sight of a redhead moving through the crowd.
“Destiny!”
Their gazes clashed, and he sent a silent message for her to wait for him, but she turned and walked off.

“I put my frickin’ life on hold so I could convince this town to sell to Wyndell Resorts. I was this close—” Mitchell pinched his fingers together in front of Buck’s nose “—to getting them to accept Custer’s offer. Then you show up and get all cozy with—”

“Watch how you talk about Destiny and the others,” Buck said.

“Oh, so now all these crazy idiots are your friends?” Mitchell sneered. “Or maybe you want them to think you’re their friend, so they’ll go along with your plans?”

“Now would be a good time to shut up,” Buck said.

Mitchell curled his hands into fists and stood his ground.

“What’s Mark talking about, Buck? What plans?”

Shocked that Destiny had sneaked up on him, Buck was speechless. The distrust in her eyes cut him like a knife. Didn’t she know he’d never do anything to hurt her? “I put the bug in Custer’s ear to consider keeping Lizard Gulch exactly where it is and incorporate the town into his plans for a resort.” He winced at her quiet gasp.

“We don’t want to be
owned
by Wyndell Resorts.” Destiny’s chin jutted.

“I don’t think you will be,” Buck said, having no idea what Custer’s terms would be if he agreed to keep the town as is. “I suggested the town be promoted as part of the overall experience of staying at the resort.”

Before Destiny had a chance to respond, Hank entered the discussion. “Buck might be onto something. I could make a lot more money if I had more customers eating at Lucille’s.” He nodded to Frank and Enrick who stood nearby. “The same goes for the pastry shop.”

“The motel pool has a big slide. I could open it up to the kids staying at the resort and charge them a dollar to swim,” Melba said, joining the conversation.

“And I could give more ghost tours,” Bernie said.

“We could—”

“Shut up, all of you!” Mitchell’s face burned red with anger. “I’ve put over a year of my life into making sure this town goes under.” He spat at Buck’s boots. “If you think you’re going to waltz in here and push me aside, you’re dumber than your namesake.”

Shit.
Those were fighting words.

Mitchell sucked down the rest of his beer, then spoke to the eldest Cash brother. “Heard your name is Johnny Cash.” More chuckling. “How come you aren’t dressed in black?”

The music stopped and silence reverberated through the air. “You’re treading on thin ice, Mitchell,” Buck warned.

“You!” Mitchell swung his pointer finger toward the stage.

“You got something to say to me, big shot?” Mack spoke into the microphone.

“Yes, I do,
Merle Haggard Cash.
Why would your mother name you after a no-good lawbreaking loser?”

“Excuse me, folks,” Mack said. “The band’s taking a short break.” He set his guitar on the stage and joined his brothers.

“Don’t think I haven’t checked the Cashes out,” Mitchell said. “Your mother was nothing but a whore, sleeping with every Tom, Dick and Harry in Arizona. Hell, you don’t even know who your father is, do you, Buck Owens?”

Buck had never been close to his mother, and he didn’t condone her lifestyle or understand why she’d burden her sons with the names of country-and-western legends, but a son always defended his mother’s name—whether she deserved it or not.

“You get one final chance to shut up, Mitchell,” Conway said.

“And if you don’t,” Will spoke, “we’ll shut your mouth for you.”

Mitchell had drunk too much or else he would have known the brothers were serious. But his ego had gotten the best of him and he spouted more garbage. “Well if it ain’t Buck Owens’s Buckaroos coming to his rescue.”

“You were warned,” Porter said. He looked at Buck. “You want to throw the first punch?”

“Can’t poor little Bucky handle his own fights?” Mitchell taunted.

“As a matter of fact, he can.” Buck caught Destiny’s wide-eyed stare. He hated to start a fight in front of her, but his pride wouldn’t allow Mitchell to walk away after the insults he’d slung.
Sorry, Destiny.
He cocked his arm and let his fist fly. His knuckles connected with Mitchell’s jaw, snapping the man’s head back. His beer bottle fell to the ground, and he stumbled backward into Bernie’s arms. The sheriff pushed him toward Buck, and the Cash brothers circled the wagons ready to intervene if Buck needed help.

“Someone call the police!” Jim Docker showed up in the crowd. “You can’t just beat up people.”

“Mitchell’s a crook, and so are you, Docker,” Bernie said.

The Philadelphia lawyer punched the air with his fist. “You’re a...a...fake sheriff!”

Bernie struck Docker in the stomach, and the man’s wife screamed. A brawl broke out and Buck pinned Mitchell to the ground. The suit-and-tie guy probably hadn’t visited a gym in ten years and was no match for Buck’s strength.

To their credit, Buck’s brothers attempted to break up the arguments and fistfights between those wanting to sell Lizard Gulch and those wanting to save the town. Several of the rodeo cowboys who’d stayed for the concert helped make sure the old people didn’t get hurt.

“See what you did, Mitchell,” Buck said.

“This is your fault, Cash. I don’t know what’s in it for you, but you’d better watch your back. No one messes with me and gets away with it.”

“You gonna behave if I let you go?” Buck asked.

“Yes,” Mitchell spat.

Buck stood and held out a hand to Mitchell to show there were no hard feelings, but the man spat at the gesture and got to his feet on his own.

“You mark my words, Cash. You’ll regret this day.” Jim and Delores Docker hurried through the parking lot with Mitchell. The three troublemakers hopped into their cars and drove off. Mack and the band struck up a lively tune, the buckle bunnies strutted their stuff and the geezers quit arguing and watched the pretty girls.

A tap on his shoulder caught Buck’s attention. Destiny held out his hat to him.

“I can explain,” he said.

“Maybe, but I’m not ready to listen,” she said.

“When do you think you might be ready?” Buck wished his brothers weren’t witnessing his dressing-down from Destiny.

“I don’t know, but not tonight.” She marched off.

Porter whistled. “You’re in the doghouse.”

“Yep,” Conway said. “Looks like our brother will be sleeping under the stars later.”

Buck walked off to the beer tent, his brothers’ laughter ringing in his ears.

* * *

“C’
MON
, D
ESTINY
. O
PEN
UP
.”

Destiny stood inside the apartment listening to Buck’s pounding. For the past half hour he’d camped out on the fire escape, pleading his case. She would have thought he’d have lost his voice by now, but it was as strong and sexy as ever.

How could he have gone behind her back to negotiate a deal with Custer and not tell her? This was
her
town—not his. Buck’s betrayal cut deep, especially after they’d slept together. She may have already decided that she and Buck couldn’t be together because of the baby, but that hadn’t prevented her from falling a little in love with him—only a little, because she wouldn’t allow herself to fall all the way in love with a man she could never have.

She opened the door. “Go away, Buck.” Even as she said the words she didn’t have the heart to enforce them.

“I can explain. And it’s not what you think.”

The sooner he had his say, the sooner...what? She could tell him to leave town. Is that what she wanted? She stepped back and he entered the apartment. The poor guy looked miserable. And hot. “Do want a drink?”

“Water would be great, thanks.”

Destiny grabbed a bottled water from the fridge then waited for Buck to sit on the sofa. She took the chair. Neither spoke. She was content to stare at his handsome face and memorize the shape of his lips...the tiny wrinkles fanning from the corners of his eyes...his strong cheekbones.

She admitted she’d overreacted when she accused Buck of going behind her back to negotiate a deal with Custer on behalf of the town, but she’d been desperately looking for a reason to tell Buck to leave, because each day...hour...minute she was with him, he claimed another piece of her heart.

She’d woken this morning to the gleam in his eyes and the excitement in his voice as he’d talked about the rodeo and concert, and it had hit her like a ton of bricks—Buck was a good guy. And girls like Destiny never won the good guy. They always got saddled with losers like Daryl. She’d decided right then in Buck’s arms that if she couldn’t have him, she didn’t want any man.

She’d rather go it alone with the baby. At least she’d have her memories of Buck.

He guzzled the rest of his water then crumpled the plastic bottle between his hands. For a man who was dying to talk, he sure was quiet. “How come you didn’t tell me you’d spoken with Custer and invited him to the rodeo today?”

“I didn’t want you to get your hopes up in case he hated my idea.”

“And you assumed I’d go along with incorporating Lizard Gulch into the Wyndell resort plans?”

“What’s the matter? You don’t think it’s a good idea?”

“You’re a guest here—I’m the mayor. You don’t have a say in the town’s future, Buck. And even if you did, I had a right to know you were communicating with Custer.”

“I agree.” He shoved a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry.”

“You made me look like a fool.”

“I didn’t mean to.” He leaned forward on the cushion, his gaze beseeching. “You care about everyone, and you’ve worked so hard to save Lizard Gulch. I wanted to be the one to save the day for you.”

She picked at a rip in the fabric of the chair. “I don’t get why you care about—”

Buck sprang from the couch and dropped to his knees in front of her chair. “I care.” He grasped her hands but didn’t speak until she made eye contact. It would be so easy to lose herself in his soulful brown gaze.

“Destiny, I’m falling in love with you and this crazy town.”

A lump formed in her throat. No man had ever said those words to her. In fact, no one had ever told her that they loved her. Not her mother, not Daryl, not even the Carters when they’d adopted her. Destiny had always believed the words
I love you
were silly—until now.

“Say it again,” she whispered. She’d heard him the first time, but she desperately wanted him to repeat the vow.

His vow feathered across her lips. “I’m falling in love with you.”

She closed her eyes, soaking in the feel of Buck’s mouth against hers. She loved his kisses, but this one was special—this one came after his declaration of love and she wanted it to last forever. He clasped her face between his hands and tilted her head. The caress grew hotter...their breathing more labored. Finally, he released her.

“You’re the perfect woman for me.”

Her heart sighed.

“You’re gutsy, stubborn, a fearless defender of underdogs—” he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear “—and you can change a tire faster than anyone I know, including myself.”

Tears burned in her eyes. “You forgot
pretty,
” she teased.

“Not pretty...striking...stunning...and that’s only on the outside.” He placed his fingers against her breast. “Inside, you’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever met.”

A tear leaked from her eye, but she was too caught up in Buck’s gaze to care if he saw her cry.

“I’ve watched you treat the old people as if they’re your family.” Using the pad of his thumb he smeared a tear across her cheek. “I wanted to find a way to save Lizard Gulch, because it’s part of you. A part that I love very much.”

Was it possible for the human heart to physically break? No one had ever given a crap about what was important to her—but Buck did, and she gathered his words close, cherishing them like a warm hug.

“I want to be a part of your life, Destiny. You’ve got your hands full taking care of everyone else. Let me take of you.”

“Your home is in Stagecoach.” After meeting his siblings and their families she didn’t believe Buck would be happy living away from them for very long. “What if you get lonely for your brothers and sister?” He’d ask her to move to Stagecoach, and Destiny would be forced to pick between Lizard Gulch and him.

“My home is wherever you are.” Buck thrust his fingers through Destiny’s hair and pulled her mouth to his. He was losing her—he felt it with each beat of his heart. He nuzzled her lips, relieved when she relaxed her mouth and allowed him to deepen their embrace. Destiny was his soul mate, damn it, and he’d do anything to convince her that his feelings for her were the forever kind.