Holding Haley (The West Contemporary Romance Series) (12 page)

Five days later, Wes stood next to a horse that was all saddled up as Lauren, Alex, and Haley glared down at him.

“
No,” all three of them said at the same time.

“
But—” he started, only to be interrupted by the word again. “Chase said—” he started, but they repeated their refusal. “Really?” He tossed down the reins, almost feeling like a child.

The horse, for his part, started walking towards the barn again. Wes stopped the old guy several times, but each time he was confronted by the wall that was the West sisters.

He was so tired of being cooped up in the house; he just wanted to go for a ride. Chase had told him he could go if he rode Dash, didn’t go faster than a slow walk, and stayed in the front field.

But so far, the sisters refused to listen to their vet. He bet that even if he had a signed note from his human doctor, they wouldn’t let him on a horse for another week.

He crossed his arms over his chest. “When?”

Haley hopped down from the black horse she was on and walked over to him. Taking him by the shoulders, she started walking towards the back deck. She smiled and said softly, “Next week you have a doctor’s appointment on Monday. If he clears you, then we can go for a long, slow ride.”

Images flooded his mind: Haley wrapping her long legs around his hips, her hat and boots still on, with nothing else.

“
Earth to Wes?” Haley said, laughing. “Where did you go just then?”

He smiled. “Where do you think?” he said, pulling her into the shade of a large oak. Here the shade was thick and the breeze was cool. He pulled her up against the large tree trunk and kissed her slowly.

“I see you’re feeling better.” She smiled as she rubbed her hip against the bulge in his jeans.

“
Never better. Stop by tonight and—”

“
Haley! Help!” Alex screamed from across the yard.

Haley looked over just in time to see Lauren start to slide off her horse, just a few feet away. Wes rushed as fast as he could, but he was too late to catch her sister before she hit the ground. Haley had made it in time to be knocked down by her bigger sister.

“What the—?” He rushed over just as Chase came riding up. Chase’s feet hit the ground before his horse stopped.

“
Damn it! I told her not to get on a horse today.” He rushed over and took his wife into his arms. Looking up to Alex, he said, “Water. Now!”

By the time Alex came back with a large glass of water, Lauren was already sitting up, apologizing.

“What the hell is wrong?” Alex blurted out. “She can’t be pregnant. She barfs, not faints.”

Chase laughed. “Well, this time she faints.”

“What?” Haley and Alex said at the same time. “Wait. What!”

Chase smiled up at his two sisters-in-law and nodded. “Looks like the cat’s out of the bag now. I told her not to ride today. Him on the other hand, I told could ride.” He nodded towards Wes.

Wes smiled and nodded, crossing his arms over his chest. Then worry filled his mind. “Is she okay?”

Lauren nodded. “Just bruised my pride. I haven’t fallen off a horse since I was ten.”

“It could be twins,” Haley put in with a smile. Lauren glared at her from her spot in the dirt. It was a running joke with her and her sisters. Twins ran in the family, and she knew it was just a matter of hitting the winning ticket. Maybe that's why Lauren was fainting now instead?

“
That’s it for today,” Chase said, picking Lauren up before she could stand. “You are on bed rest until these spells stop.” He started walking towards the house as Lauren wrapped her arms around his neck. He looked over his shoulder. “Since we’re short two people, hop on Dash and take it easy,” he told Wes.

By the end of the workday, Wes was wondering why he’d wanted to get on a horse so soon after surgery in the first place.

His thighs hurt at his incision points. Hell, even his groin was pounding like a mother. He knew he was going to be covered in bruises by tomorrow morning. When he hobbled back into his place, he threw a large bag of frozen peas on his crotch and watched the news from the couch.

He wished for a beer, but he’d forgotten to grab one on his way to the couch. When he felt himself nodding off, he walked into the kitchen, grabbed a fresh bag of peas, and fell into bed.

That night he dreamed of dark-haired babies with green eyes and his chin. He dreamed of a large spread filled with animals and children. The next morning, he was half showered before he realized the nightmare hadn’t come last night.

For the first time in a year, he’d slept the whole night through without remembering, and it was all because of what he wanted for his future. Now he just needed to secure that future and persuade Haley to go along for the ride.

He spent the morning on the phone, trying to move his loan process ahead. The VA had approved the place he’d picked, but it seemed he needed more paperwork for the bank to guarantee the loan.

It was around noon when he drove away from his folks’ place, a folder of needed paperwork next to him on the seat. He decided to swing by Mama’s for some lunch and smiled when he saw Haley’s car parked out front.

When he walked in, he saw her sitting in a back booth, a book pulled up close to her face. Waving at Alex as he walked by, he sat across from Haley and smiled when she looked up at him.

“
How’s it going?” He tilted his head and looked at the title of the book and the half-naked couple embracing on the cover. “Since when did you start reading these?” He plucked the book from her hands and glanced at the text. His eyebrows shot up and a smile crossed his face. When he looked back at Haley, he could see that her cheeks had turned a little pink.

She shrugged her shoulders and smiled a little. “Since you left.”

“Hmmm, I wish they had these overseas.” He laughed and set the book down just as Haley’s food was delivered.

“
What can I get you?” Alex asked.

He looked at what Haley had. The large turkey sandwich, complete with home fries and white gravy made his stomach growl loudly. “That looks great. I’ll have the same.”

“How are you feeling today?” Haley asked once her sister was gone.

“
A little sore, but I’ll survive.” He handed the book back to her and leaned forward. “How about you swing by later tonight and we’ll try . . .” He tapped the book and winked. He was pleased to see her face flush even more.

“
I can’t tonight.” She looked down at their joined hands. “I’m babysitting Ricky. Lauren and Chase are having date night.”

He smiled. “Well, how about I come over and keep you company?”

She looked at him. “There will be a two-year-old in the house.”

He chuckled. “I can control my urges around the kid. It’ll be fun.”

She shook her head and smiled, “If you want to hang out with a two-year-old. I warn you, there will be Scooby Doo playing on the TV, toys all over the floor, and . . .” She smiled. “Peanut butter and jelly for dinner.”

“
Sounds wonderful.” He squeezed her hand, meaning it.

After lunch, he excused himself and left Haley in the diner. He walked across the street to the bank so he could hand deliver the paperwork they needed for his loan. When he walked through the glass doors, he inwardly groaned when he spotted Savannah standing in the short line.

When she saw him, her eyes lit up and she straightened her back so her breasts stuck out even more. She was wearing a red and white sundress that showcased what most men thought of as her best assets. Her red heels made them stand almost eye-to-eye. When he stepped closer to her, her rich perfume hit him full force. If he hadn’t prepared for it, he would have coughed. He nodded as he walked up next to her to wait his turn to be helped.

“
Well, what brings you into the bank today?” She grabbed his arm and ran her hand up and down his bicep.

“
Paperwork.” He held up the folder.

Her eyebrows shot up. “Oh, let me guess. For a loan”—her eyes got narrow—“for a new truck?”

He looked out the glass doors at his old truck and thought about getting a new one, but that would have to wait for a while. He shook his head.

He hated telling her, knowing that if he did, it would be all over town before nightfall that he was buying a house. So, he remained silent.

“Aren’t you the secretive one?” She turned and frowned when she realized she was next in line. She let go of his arm when she was called up to the cashier. He thought he heard her sigh, but he tried to ignore the sound.

He waited for her to finish making a deposit, then groaned again when he realized she wasn’t going to leave the small bank until he was done with his transaction. He walked up to Steven, the clerk, and nodded.

“Hey, Steve. Betty needed this paperwork from me.”

“
Hi, Wes. Betty stepped out for lunch. Would you like to wait for her?”

He shook his head, imagining sitting in the bank with Savannah to keep him company. “No, that’s okay. If you can just give her this folder, I’ll come back tomorrow and pick them back up.”

“Okay.” Steve took the folder. “I hear you’re close to getting the old place on Bond Drive.” Steve shook his head. “That old place still standing?”

Wes laughed. “Barely. I plan on tearing it down. Got a new double wide from the VA that’s going to take its place, at least until I can build something of my own.”

Steve whistled. “Joan and I finished our place last year.” He shook his head. “Lot of work and money.”

Wes laughed. “I bet. I drove by your place the other day. You’ll have to give me the guy’s name who did all the stone work for you.”

Steve smiled. “My brother-in-law, Gary. Hang on, I’ll write down his number for you.”

Wes stood there, leaning against the counter, while Steve rushed to the back. He could feel Savannah’s eyes on his back, but jolted when her hand came to rest on his arm again.

“Why, shame on you, Wes.” She rubbed her breast up against his arm. “Keeping a secret like that from me. You should take me up to the place sometime, show me around,” she purred.

He was thankful when Steve came back, a card in his hand, and he didn’t have to reply.

“Here. Bobby works for a company in Tyler, but if you mention my name, he’ll do the work under the table.”

“
Thanks.” Wes nodded and took the card.

“
I’ll make sure Betty gets this paperwork.” Steve took up the folder. “Take care.”

Wes stepped aside and tried to get past Savannah, but she just wrapped her arm in his and walked with him out of the bank, chatting about wanting to see the place on Bond Drive.

H
aley glanced up from her book and was shocked to see Wes walking out of the bank with Savannah on his arm. She laughed when she saw the uncomfortable look on his face.

“
What’s so funny?” Alex walked up and looked out the window. “Well, I never.” Her sister sat across from her.

“
Look at his face,” Haley said, between laughs.

Alex started laughing. “He looks like he’d rather have his toe nails pulled out slowly than be standing next to her.”

They both watched as Savannah rubbed her large breast against his arm. No doubt she was purring and enjoying it all.

“
You better go save him before he has a stroke right there on Main Street,” Alex said, giggling.

Haley tucked her book into her bag and stood up. “I suppose so.” She shook her head. “Don’t you find it wonderful that we’ve all found men that are impervious to Savannah Douglas?”

“Yes, just wonderful,” Alex said, sighing.

As Haley walked across the street, she thought she saw Savannah dig her claws further into Wes’s skin. She would have laughed had the woman not been damaging her man.

“There you are. I thought you’d gotten lost.” Haley walked over and stopped right next to Wes. She could see the relief in his eyes and smiled a little when he bent down and placed a kiss on her lips.

“
Sorry, just had to drop that paperwork off at the bank,” he mumbled.

“
Yes, isn’t it wonderful?” Savannah piped in. “Our Wes is going to be a property owner.” She playfully slapped his arm, while still hanging onto it. “I was just trying to persuade him to take me for a drive and show me the place.”

Haley’s back teeth clenched together. Is that why he had needed to go to the bank? She had assumed he needed to make a deposit or withdraw. Now, she had to find out that he was actually going through with his plans and buying a place. From Savannah, no less!

She didn’t know what to say. Her jaw refused to release so she just nodded and looked Wes in the eyes. She saw him pleading at her, but after what he’d just kept from her, she could care less if he was stuck with Savannah for the next year.