Lone Star Burn: Taken by Surprise (Kindle Worlds Novella) (3 page)

“You can do it.” He opened the car door for her. “Delfina had a lot of faith in you.”

Really?

She wanted to ask him a lot about Delfina, including how exactly they were related and how she’d never heard of her before. But, first, she needed to get settled in.

“Can we take a minute just so I can get a good look at the front?” she asked.

“Sure. No problem.”

They drove around to the front where he parked at the curb so they could get out. She stood on the sidewalk, staring at the place that was now hers. At the booths lining the front window and the cheerful lettering on the door. She’d make this work because it was the only option she had. The excitement that had been wiggling its way through her since she opened the letter burst into full bloom. On an impulse, she pulled out her cell and snapped some photos. In case it all turned into a big mistake, she wanted proof she’d at least owned it for one day.

“Okay.” She turned back to the lawyer. “I’m ready, now, if you’ll just take me back to my car.”

She happened to glance off to her right, and her heart nearly stopped. A man walked out of one of the stores, paused, looked around then headed down the street. For a moment, she thought she was seeing Jack Ward. Then he disappeared into another store, and she was sure her mind played tricks on her. He’d been too much in her thoughts lately as she contemplated the disaster her life had turned into. That had to be it. No way in hell would Jack Ward be here in Fort Mavis, about as far from Houston as you could get and still be in civilization. She was in a bad way, no doubt about it.

“Jessie? Miss Coford?”

She realized Marshall Wohl was speaking to her. Damn! Had she fallen into a trance? A Jack Ward trance?

“What?” She gave herself a mental shake. “Sorry.”

“I asked if you were okay. You looked a little strange.”

“Oh, no, I’m fine.” She let out a breath. “Probably just road fatigue catching up with me.”

“Well, then, let’s get you to your car and you can head on home.”

Home! Wow! Talk about a change in lifestyle
.

As they drove the length of Main Street, she kept an eye out, scanning every man she saw, but no Jack.

Figment of my deprived imagination. What would Jack Ward be doing here, anyway?

*****

Jack stood at the front window of the general store, staring at the people outside. He had to be mistaken. There was no way in hell Jessie Coford would be here in Fort Mavis. He was pretty sure she’d never even heard of it. His stupid mind had to be playing tricks on him. Maybe it was because last night, just when he thought he’d gotten past it all, he’d had the most erotic dream about the two of them so far. When he woke up that morning, his cock had been so hard and swollen he was afraid to bump into something and break it off. Even taking himself in hand in the shower hadn’t done a lot to relieve the raging desire. His balls continued to ache all day, another painful situation.

Get over her, asshole. She walked away from you. It’s done. Over. Move ahead.

“Hey, Jack, I thought that was you.” Lynne’s voice sounded right at his ear.

Speaking of moving ahead.

He turned to find her close enough that her breath whispered soft against his skin. She grinned at him with her full, sensuous lips, and amusement sparkled in her hazel eyes. For a brief moment, shame washed over him. What was he doing thinking of one woman when he was dating another?

But it was just dating, he reminded himself. He’d been very clear about that with her right at the start. It also occurred to him as he studied her that he’d subconsciously chosen a woman who was the complete opposite in looks from Jessie. Where Jessie had dark-brown hair with golden highlights, Lynne was a strawberry blonde. Jessie was shorter, maybe five foot five, while Lynne was taller. In heels, as she was now, her head just reached above his mouth. Jessie had lush curves that he loved to touch and run his hands over. Lynne was tall and slender.

So what was he trying to prove? That he’d done an about-face to help him take the cure?

“Jack?” Lynne stared at him. “Are you okay?”

“What?” He rubbed his hand over his face. He needed to get his shit together. “I apologize again. Too much time staring into the sun today, I guess.”

“No bank robbers to catch?” she teased.

“No, and I like it that way just fine.”

“I saw you come in here, and I wanted to catch you. What’s your schedule tomorrow?”

He laughed. “About the same as today, I’d guess. Helping to keep the peace. Why?”

She ran the tip of a finger along his shirt collar. “I want you to take me to breakfast in the morning.”

Trying not to be too obvious, Jack took a little step back. He was coming to realize Lynne was an overly touchy-feely type, something he was uncomfortable with in public, especially when he was out dressed in his uniform. She frowned as he moved away, and, to take the sting out of it, he grinned at her.

“You have a big itch to have breakfast with me?”

“I want to have breakfast at Delfina’s Diner. When Delfina passed, I was hoping the estate would put it up for sale. I could sell it in a heartbeat.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “They’re not?”

“Uh-huh. I hear she left it to some shoestring relative no one ever knew about. Marshall Wohl said he was handing over the keys today, and I’m betting she’ll be there tomorrow.”

“Huh.” Jack scratched the back of his neck. He’d discovered in the six months he’d been here that things like this could be a major topic of interest in Fort Mavis.

“No one knows a thing about her,” Lynne went on. “Marshall’s been as close-mouthed as a clam, the jerk.”

Jack grinned. “You know him. He never spills a thing about his clients. It’s probably why he has so many.”

“Wellll,” Lynne drawled, “I’m hoping she’s just here to look it over and get back to her own life. I can tell my boss, Lee Ann Marlowe, about it and get a referral fee.”

“Okay. Sure. What time do you want to meet?”

Lynne fiddled with his collar again. “It would be a lot easier if I just rolled over next to you and we got there together. Right?” She winked at him.

Jack let his gaze travel around and realized the customers were shamelessly gawking at him. He’d already forgotten what he came in for, so he took Lynne by the wrist and led her outside. She was a good lover, but, at the moment, the last thing he wanted was her in his bed. Thinking about Jessie did that to him, damn it.

“Not tonight, okay?” He gentled his voice as much as possible. “I have some stuff to take care of.”

“What kind of
stuff
?” She pouted.

“Just…things. But I’ll meet you there at eight o’clock. That work for you?”

Her eyes clouded with disappointment. “Oh, okay. Party pooper. I guess that will have to do.”

“Listen.” He made a show of looking at his watch. “I have to get going here. See you in the morning.”

For a moment, he thought she was going to argue with him, insist that he change his mind and spend the night at her house. Then her lips curved into a smile.

“Sure. That’s okay.” She winked. “And if you finish your
stuff
early enough tonight, you can just give me a call.”

“Tempting,” he told her, “but not likely. See you tomorrow.”

He walked away down the sidewalk to where his SUV was parked, resisting the urge to turn around. He was sure Lynne was still standing there, staring after him. Wondering why he was acting so strange today. The only answer he could give her was one he didn’t want to face.

He pulled away from the curb and headed down the street, toward home. He’d thought he’d managed to get Jessie pretty much out of his mind. At least most of the time. But let him see someone who reminded him of her and all he could think of was her warm, soft body and her curves that his hands ached to skim. Her soft breasts that he wanted to hold in his palms, with the dark nipples that begged for his mouth to suck them.

And that delicious pussy of hers, with its well-trimmed dark curls. Immediately, he remembered how tight that pussy was around his cock, how she clamped down on him and squeezed him just before her orgasm hit. He loved sinking into her, losing himself in her. He’d never had spectacular sex like that with anyone else. Of course, it was because of the connection they had. He was sure Jessie knew it, too, but she was just so damn focused on that career of hers. He wished he knew why it was such an obsession with her. He wished—

Stop it!

He promised himself when she walked out on him that he’d put her out of his mind. He was doing his damndest to accomplish it but easier said than done. Especially today, when he could have sworn he’d seen her. And wasn’t that just the most idiotic thing in the world.

Get a life, Jack.

Being home by himself didn’t much appeal to him right now, and he was in no mood for Lynne tonight. Maybe he’d take a ride out to the ranch owned by Dean’s brother, Tony. The man was supposed to be some kind of horse whisperer. Dean said a new horse was being delivered today for him to work his magic on and had invited Jack to stop by if he was interested.

He’d take a quick shower, change into some jeans, and see what everyone was talking about. But when he jumped into the shower, his mind wandered back to Jessie and the showers they’d taken together. Closing his eyes, he could visualize her naked body with the water sluicing over her magnificent breasts, nipples swollen into taut buds he’d pull into his mouth. His balls ached just thinking about it, and his cock was hard enough to break concrete.

He remembered the feel of those sweet buds when he wrapped his lips around them, their pebbled surface so firm. He could still feel them on his tongue as lapped the flat of it over them. Hear the sound of her breath as she inhaled deeply. Feel the weight of her breasts in his palms. And her pussy. Oh, god, her pussy was pure heaven, so slick with her sweet juices, her little clit so sensitive he could make her come by merely twirling his tongue around it. Then he’d slide two fingers into her tight channel, feeling her muscles clamp down on them, and push her into yet another orgasm.

Shit!

If he’d been hard before, he was beyond pain now. He wanted to fuck her more than his wanted his next breath. Pouring some liquid soap into his hand, he worked up a lather, but instead of spreading it over his body, he reached down and wrapped his fingers around his cock. Jessie loved to do that for him in the shower. She’d slide her soapy hands over every inch of his body, even playfully teasing the cleft between the cheeks of his ass. He tightened just at the memory of that erotic touch.

Closing his eyes, he leaned against the tile wall and stroked himself, pretending they were Jessie’s fingers wrapped around him. Up and down they slid, while he imagined Jessie touching him, caressing him, stroking him in a way only she could. He could almost feel those slim fingers brushing against his nipples or sliding down to cup his balls. The more he visualized, the faster he moved his hand and the harder his strokes.

His breath came faster, and then the muscles in the small of his back tightened and his balls drew up. Stroke, stroke, stroke and his release exploded, his cum spilling over his fingers. He rubbed and squeezed and pulled until the last drop was gone and he slid down to the floor of the shower, the spray hitting his body like a rain shower.

Minutes passed before he got weakly to his feet and stood while he rinsed himself off. Then he turned off the water and stepped out, dragging a towel from the nearby rack. He dried himself off, the image of a naked Jessie still dancing in his brain, and realized his hand was a very poor substitute for the real thing.

Jessie filled a mug with fresh coffee and stood in the back of the kitchen, catching her breath. She had barely slept last night. Sleep had eluded her until she searched as thoroughly as possible for a letter from Delfina, but nothing turned up. By the time she got into bed, everything was whirling in her brain so fast she had trouble falling asleep.

She was, however, determined to start out on the right foot here. She had decided to look at this as a real opportunity, one that came to her when her life was taking a nosedive. And maybe, just maybe, she might like it enough to stay here. She had arrived at the diner promptly at five o’clock, meeting Alton and Rona in the rear parking area. They both looked slightly shocked that she’d actually showed up at this ungodly hour, but she had to prove to them she was serious. As things stood in her life, she might not have another choice.

Oh, she could always find a new apartment in Houston and look for another restaurant to hire her. But she’d be low man on the totem pole there again and good apartments she could afford were hard to come by. So, she put on a positive smile along with her makeup and started out on the first day of the rest of her life.

“I’m not here to get in your way,” she told them as soon as they walked in. “I just want to get a feel for the place. Mr. Wohl tells me you all are the heart and soul of Delfina’s Diner.”

Rona gave her a hard look. “Delfina was the heart and soul. She knew Fort Mavis and its people. We just did what she wanted.”

Uh-oh. And I’m the interloper.

She took a calming breath. Coming down heavy or being defensive was not going to help her. “I know I’m a stranger here, but I can tell already I’m going to love it.”
I am not lying, am I? I will, won’t I? “
I hope all of you will help me so I don’t make any mistakes.”

The two of them exchanged a look then turned back to her.

“Fine,” Alton said. “Then we’d better get to work.”

She wanted to get to the books. She’d seen a computer in the office the day before, obviously the one the spreadsheet came from, and she was itching to get to it. But watching her workers and assessing the flow of things was more important. So, for the first hour or so, she mostly stood around and watched, taking care not to get in anyone’s way. Alton, at least six-five with muscles on his muscles and a completely bald head, worked the stove and griddle like he was playing a violin. Rona took orders, stuck them on the wheel, filled coffee cups, and chatted up the customers, all while she kept everything moving with great efficiency. It was obvious they had an established rhythm and it worked well.

As they got busier toward seven thirty, Jessie made herself useful washing dishes and cleaning utensils. Again, the two people looked at her in surprise, but she was sure she saw Alton trying to hide a smile. By eight, when the restaurant had filled up, she told Rona she’d help with the coffee and taking orders.

“I don’t expect you to do everything,” she told the woman. “And I’m sure Delfina didn’t just sit around.”

Rona nodded and said a clipped, “Thanks.”

Jessie was about to carry a fresh carafe of coffee from the kitchen when the door to the diner opened. She glanced up and nearly dropped the pot. She blinked, thinking for a moment she was hallucinating, but when she looked again…. Nope, what she saw was real.

“Don’t drop that coffee, honey,” Rona murmured as she passed her. “But I know what you mean. We all think he’s a hunk.”

For a moment, as she stared at Jack Ward, Jessie forgot to breathe. If he’d looked good in his sport coat and slacks as a Houston detective, he was mouthwatering in his sheriff’s khakis and— Wait! Were those boots he was wearing? What was he doing here in Fort Mavis? Dressed as deputy?

And wait! Who was that woman with him, looking like she was glued to his arm? He certainly hadn’t let any grass grow under his feet after their breakup. He couldn’t see her since she was still behind the door into the kitchen, but she could watch him through the little window. She knew she should make herself go out there, but her feet seemed stuck to the floor.

How could she face him, after the way she’d walked away from him? He’d been so hurt, and angry. She’d made the biggest mistake of her life. Too bad she hadn’t realized it before.

“Jessie, are you okay?” Alton had come up behind her, and there was concern in his voice. “Is something wrong?”

“Want me to take that?” Rona, back from serving an order, said at almost the same time.

“No.” She hauled in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I’m good. No problem.”

She wasn’t about to make a fool of herself in front of her employees first day at her new business. Gripping the handle of the carafe, she grabbed two mugs from the counter and marched to the booth where Jack and his female had just settled themselves. With extra care, she placed the mugs in front of them.

“Coffee?” she asked.

Jack, who had been studying his cell phone, raised his eyes. Jessie was gratified to see them widen in shock and the color leach from his face.

“Why, yes,” the woman with him said. “Coffee would be great. Right, Jack?”

Jack seemed frozen, unable to say a word or take his eyes from her.

Jessie filled both mugs and handed them menus. “I’ll be back to take your order in a few minutes.”

Jack had yet to speak when she walked away, satisfied that she’d gotten the best of this situation. She might not have been expecting to see him in this town, but he definitely hadn’t expected her.

“Do you know him?” Rona asked when she was back in the kitchen. “You look like you saw a ghost.”

“He reminds me of someone I used to know,” was all that she said.

“Well, you looked like you was about to pass out. Want me to take their order?”

“No, I’ll do it.” She had to face him sooner or later. At the moment, it seemed she had the upper hand, so she planned to use it.

Pasting a smile on her face, she grabbed an order pad and marched back out to the booth. The woman with Jack leaned toward him, her fingers wrapped around his wrists. Jessie was sure the woman was giving him the third degree. She knew she would be.

Neither of them was paying attention when she walked up to the booth, so she cleared her throat.

“Well, Jack Ward.” She made her voice as bright and cheery as possible. “I thought that was you. What on earth are you doing all the way out here in Fort Mavis?”

She could tell from the expression on his face he was still shell-shocked. The woman with him, a slender strawberry blonde, looked as if she was trying to decide whether to be gracious, friendly, just curious, or pissed off.

“Uh, Jessie?” He stared up at her. “Is it really you?”

“Sure is.” She was determined to be Miss Bright and Cheerful if it killed her. “I’m very surprised to see you here. I didn’t think you’d ever leave Houston.”

He scowled. “I could say the same for you.”

She shrugged. “Oh, well. You never know when an opportunity will come your way. You folks about ready to order?”

Folks? If I said “folks” in my last place of employment, they would have sent me back to culinary school.

“Jack?” Miss Strawberry Blonde curved her bright red lips into a smile that had little humor in it. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your little friend?”

Little friend? Jessie wanted to pour coffee on her head.

Jack looked as if he’d rather swallow nails. “Lynne, this is Jessie Coford. She and I are, um, were, um….”

“Yes, Jack? What were we?” She looked at Lynne. “We were friends. Very good friends.”

Okay, so she was being a bitch. But she just couldn’t believe he was into this woman who was the exact opposite of her. It hadn’t been that many weeks since she had broken off with him. Maybe she hadn’t meant as much to him as he told her.

Jack stared at her as if he’d never seen her.

“That’s right,” he said. “We were, uh, friends.”

Jessie glanced from him to Lynne, who was seething beneath her phony smile.

“I’m Lynne Robbins. I manage the real estate agency in town. We were all surprised to hear that Delfina had left this place to someone. I was hoping to put it on the market.”

Jessie blinked. “Really?”

“Yes.” She fished in her purse and pulled out a business card. “Give me a call. We should talk.”

Jessie just glanced at the card. “Thanks, but I’m not interested in selling.”

She wasn’t sure who looked more shocked, Jack or Lynne.

“You’re
staying
in Fort Mavis?” he asked.

“Looks like it. Seems like a very nice place.” The conflicted look on his face only fed her desire to play this up. “So. You folks ready to order?”

Lynne stared at her for a long moment, trying to maintain her professional attitude. Then she picked up her purse and slid to the end of the bench.

“I think I’ve lost my appetite. Let’s go, Jack.”

He sat for a moment, his gaze raking over Jessie’s face as if trying to read her real intent. Then he picked up his hat, which he’d placed on the seat beside him, and stood up. He gave Jessie another penetrating stare then followed Lynne out the door. Jessie stared after them then walked as nonchalantly as possible to the kitchen. But, the moment the door swung shut behind her, she hurried to her tiny office and practically fell into the desk chair.

“Jessie?” Alton stood in the doorway, a frown creasing his forehead. “You okay?”

“Yes.” She swallowed and repeated more firmly, “Yes, I’m fine.”

“You sure don’t look fine. You’re white as a bedsheet and shaking like a leaf in the wind. Did someone say something to you out there?” He scratched his neck. “People loved Delfina, but they got no call to be mean to you just because she’s gone.”

“It’s that deputy.” Rona came up next to Alton. “I knew he was trouble the minute Dean hired him.”

“I’m fine. Everything’s fine. Please. Go take care of the customers.”

With obvious reluctance, they went back to work. Jessie sat in her chair with her hands clasped together, her heart still racing. Jack Ward in Fort Mavis. Oh. My. God. And who was that phony bitch with him?

His taste in women sure has gone downhill. I should be glad to be rid of him.

But the sad fact was, she wasn’t. Not at all. Seeing him again had brought back everything she felt for him and all her regrets in walking away from him. Maybe she should get a T-shirt with the word STUPID in large letters. She had no idea how long she sat there before Rona appeared in the doorway again holding a mug of coffee.

“You look like you need this.” She set it down on Jessie’s desk. “We have a little lull before the lunch rush, so if you want to talk, we’ll listen.”

Jessie studied the woman. “You don’t even know me and yesterday didn’t seem too happy to meet me, so why would you even care?”

“Me and Alton talked a little when breakfast died down. You don’t seem to be what we expected at all. You’re even nice.”

Jessie had an insane desire to laugh at that. “Thank you. I think.”

“I mean, you don’t put on airs, or anything, coming from the high-class place in Houston.” She paused. “At least, not yet. Anyway, we could see that deputy somehow upset you. I thought he was too good to be true.”

Jessie lifted her eyebrows. “Oh? In what way?”

“He’s too good-looking and is nice to everyone. And does his job extra good. Nobody’s that perfect even if he can ride a horse.”

Jack rode a horse? That was news to her.

“He’s just someone I knew some time ago. I’m fine. It was just a shock to see him here.”

“Okay, then. But him hanging out with that Lynne Robbins doesn’t boost him up a notch for me.”

That made her curious. “Why not?”

“You watch out for her. She’s a first-class man-eater, and she doesn’t much care whose man it is.” She started to walk away then turned back. “We’ll be setting up for lunch pretty soon. If you want to come out, me and Alton will walk you through it.”

Now that was a surprise. Was it just because they felt sorry for her?

“Thank you. I’ll be out in a few.”

She could tackle the computer later. Getting a feel for the flow of the operation was more important. It would also give her a chance to assess the kinds of food people ordered and figure out supplies.

They closed at five, and by six o’clock, when they locked up, Jessie had a strong appreciation for the skill of the people who worked there. The teams worked split shifts, five to twelve and twelve to six, alternating times each day. She’d have to figure out how her own time could be best spent. She wanted to do some cooking, too, but not until she’d had at least a week to get in the rhythm of things, and for her employees to get used to her.

She’d also learned a few things. For the most part, the people of Fort Mavis were very nice and no one at Delfina’s Diner liked Jack’s new lady friend.

“We’ll be opening tomorrow,” Diane said as they stood in the parking area. “You don’t need to get here that early.”

“I want to learn everything I can about this place. Maybe work with all of you to come up with some new ideas.” Oh, wait. Maybe that wasn’t too good. “If you all are willing, that is.”