Redheaded Stranger: A Cowboy Love Story (Bluebonnet, Texas) (9 page)

He slipped into the tiny bathroom and hugged her. "Do you like them?"

Them
being a pair of earrings that matched the pendant he’d given her yesterday. "They’re beautiful." She shook her head, her eyes sad. "It’s too much."

"They’re your Christmas present, and you’re worth so much more. I love you, and you and Darrach are my world. I would never deliberately jeopardize that." One finger gently stroked the side of her face.

She sighed and closed the box with a dull
thunk
, leaning into him. The soft, clean, flowery scent of her perfume tickled his nose. "I know, and I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have run off with Darrach like I did."

"I probably would have done the same thing in your shoes. I honestly don’t know if I can ever come to terms with
her
, but I think I like having Darrach here. I like being here with him...but damn my thighs are sore."

"From your early morning ride?" she asked with a chuckle.

"Yeah," he murmured, his lips inches above hers.

"I love you," she whispered as his tongue traced her full lips. He moaned as their tongues met, his fingers tangled in her short curls. She locked her arms around his neck, her mouth and tongue as insistent as his.

He finally broke the kiss as the need for air won over. "Maybe they could take Darrach, and we could stay here?"

"You think?" She pressed another soft kiss to his lips.

"No. We have to go, don’t we?" She gave him a regretful nod, and he released her with a sigh. "I suppose we should head downstairs."

"Two minutes." She held up the box containing her earrings. He backed up and eyed her while she put the diamond hearts in her ears, trying to be objective. Darrach had her slightly flat nose and wide-set eyes, but hers were a soft, chocolate brown and fringed with long, dark lashes. The white turtleneck hugged her torso, accenting round, firm breasts and a slender waist. He smiled at her derriere encased in hip-hugging jeans as she turned this way and that, picking and pulling at her curls. "Quit staring at me like that."

"Like what?"

"Like this is a desert island, and I’m a coconut."

He shouted with laughter and pulled her close, planting one more soft kiss on her lips. "Darrach’s bag is ready."

"Then let’s go."

"S
ure you don’t want to take your fiddle?" I asked as Alex quietly closed the bedroom door. I wasn’t sure what had happened between my husband and my in-laws, but something had changed, and for the better. Something to do with his old fiddle. Which I hadn’t even known he could play. My husband and I had very few secrets, so I found that one rather telling. Whatever the change, I was grateful. He seemed more relaxed.

"I’m sure. It’s been too long and I’m out of practice." He took my hand as we descended the stairs.

"Where’s Alex the Asshole?" came from below us, in the entryway.

Alex’s grip on my hand tightened and he stopped.

"Delaney Marie," Maggie chided. "It’s Christmas Eve."

"I
hate
him."

"You promised," Jerrod said. "And he’s trying."

"If by ‘trying’, you mean avoiding me, yeah. Not that I’m complaining. And what about tomorrow? What about Christmas dinner? Is he going to ruin that like he did Thanksgiving?"

Maggie shushed while I pushed past Alex, making as much noise as possible as I descended the stairs, despite my burning cheeks. "We’re coming! We’re coming!" I glanced back at Alex as I tugged his hand. The expression on his face could only be called grim. Just when things were improving, too. I squeezed his fingers reassuringly, reminding myself this was hard for him and it wasn’t all going to be magically fixed overnight.

"I’m gonna ride with Betti," Delaney said just as I appeared. She pushed open the screen door and disappeared into the dusky evening.

Jerrod and Maggie’s expressions was just as grim as Alex’s.

* * *

T
he Bluebonnet Dancehall was decorated for Christmas with multi-colored twinkling lights, decorations on the long tables, a huge, live Evergreen tree just outside the French doors, and packed with people whose names I’d never remember. The introductions had started before we even got in the door with some old cop friend of Jerrod’s who’d slapped Alex on the back, welcomed him home and pumped my hand while fussing over the baby. Darrach took it all in stride, wide-eyed and full of smiles for anyone who recognized how exceptional he was.

Inside, I stood taking it all in, grateful to have Alex on one side, Maggie on the other.

One man, a big, balding blond, shoved his way through the crowd, a huge smile on his face as he came right at Alex—and punched him hard enough to knock him to the ground. Maggie jerked us out of the way as I screamed, grateful that Ty and Tim were nearby to intervene. Ty helped Alex up while Tim settled the other man down.

"What was that about?" I asked Maggie.

Jerrod stepped in front of me as the other man lunged around Tim, ready for another go at my husband. I stood clutching Darrach, taking it all in. I knew my husband could handle himself, but that didn't stop me from worrying. It didn’t stop the crowd from worrying, either. More than once I heard Alex’s name, though of course, they called him Zander.

"It's okay, dear." Maggie nudged me away as the five men exited the French doors. "Just more payback for Thanksgiving." We both shook our heads, then she looped my arm in hers. "Come on. It’s time you met, Susie."

Susie Boudreaux was busy behind the bar, her hands full with keeping the chaos of demanding patrons and busy waitresses under control, so our introductions were brief. Alex's aunt served us drinks, smiled, kissed the baby and then went back to work with a promise to come chat with us later.

Thanks to even more introductions, it took us ten minutes to reach a reserved table where Delaney and Rene sat with a couple of other women at the far end. I got the baby settled in a high chair that magically appeared while I also searched the crowd for Alex. Darrach wouldn’t stay in his seat for long, but if he got sleepy or heavy, it would come in handy. Despite Maggie’s admonishments, I couldn’t completely relax until Alex pushed his way through the crowd and smiled at me despite his busted lip.

"Hey," Alex hissed in my ear as he wrapped his arms around me.

I shivered as the husky rumble tickled a nerve and leaned into him. "What happened?"

"What do you say we stay an hour and head back to that nice,
empty
house?" He kissed me soft and quick.

"Are you okay?" I reached out to touch his lip but he pulled back with a shake of his head.

"Yeah. I’m fine."

He leaned in to kiss me as another couple joined us. I’d spent enough time studying that wall of family photos to recognize Alex’s younger brother, Zack, and his new wife.

"You must be Zack," I said holding out my hand.

Alex finished off the introductions, then leaned over to talk with his brother while Jessa smiled and said, "I’m going to steal your baby."

"Good luck!" I pointed to where Maggie stood with Darrach on her hip, now surrounded by a gaggle of women. "Between Jerrod and Maggie, I’m lucky if I get to hold him long enough to nurse him."

"I need the practice." With a pat of her tiny belly, she wiggled past us.

Zack shook her hand with a smile and shrugged. "She can't help herself." Despite being much shorter than his brothers, he was a handsome man, and he and his wife made a beautiful couple. He was short and broad, not much taller than her, where Alex seemed to run lean and Ty fell in the middle. Zack's smile turned to a frown as he looked down, and I followed his eyes to where Travis stood.

Travis got a short lecture about running around the bar on his own, then offered up a bashful hello before breaking free of his father to scoot around us to where Jerrod now stood with Jessa and Darrach.

"He can't help it either. He worships the ground his Poppy walks—or rides—on."

"That’s sweet." I leaned closer to Alex, who wrapped an arm around me as his Aunt Susie briefly joined us.

"Did you bring your fiddle?" she asked after we said our hellos.

Grimacing, he shook his head.

"Why not? Your momma said she was going to give it to you."

"She did. I’m out of practice."

"And I know a sure-fire way to fix that," she said with a knowing nod.

"Like eight years out of practice," Ty added from behind me. The immediate tension between him and Alex was palpable. "I’m glad you’re here." He gently took my arm and guided me away as I shot Alex a panicked look over my shoulder. He gave a little nod meant to reassure me. It didn’t. Not after my last meeting with Ty. But he was a perfect gentleman as he led me toward the far end of the table where Delaney had been sitting earlier.

Halfway there, he stopped and gave me an endearingly bashful smile. "I’m sorry. I was out of line the other day."

"It’s okay." I nodded, unable to stop myself from smiling back. "I’m sure it must have come as quite a shock."

"I’m more surprised he found someone to marry him than anything else."

I gave him a little tight smile and replied, "I love him."

He had the grace to look away, obviously embarrassed.

"Quit being rude, Ty, honey, and introduce me." He held out his other arm to his wife, who snuggled close, and he did as she’d instructed. They seemed more like a newlywed love match than a couple who’d
had
to get married. Then again, after everything they’d been through, their closeness could only be a good thing.

Bettina and I chatted for a few minutes and Ty wandered off, either apparently satisfied he’d done his part or bored at our female chatter, but I noticed he didn’t go far. Betti and I ended up sitting together at the opposite end of the table from my son, who was content to be passed around, and my husband, who seemed to be greeting someone new every few minutes.

"Relax."

I gave her a brave smile and said, "Is it that obvious?"

"That you’re crazy about him or that you’re a little worried? Ty told me what happened when y'all got here." She waved a hand dismissively. "That’s just Rowdy blowing off steam. Ty also told me he and Zander exchanged words this morning."

As the evening progressed, different groups of trios and solos sang a wide variety of Christmas carols with and without accompaniment. In between acts, Jessa and Susie worked the crowd, or the band played. At one point Ty even tried to get Alex to join the band on stage to sing, but he refused with a shake of his head. I almost felt bad for abandoning him, but he was a big boy, he seemed to be doing okay and he knew where to find me if he needed me.

While they set up for the Unity Church choir, I watched as Alex took Darrach from his mother and strapped him in his seat. The poor baby was quickly reaching the point where he couldn’t keep his eyes open. "I think we’re going to head back to the house. Darrach’s about had it." I stood and hugged her goodbye.

"We’ll see y’all in the morning!"

I circled the table and picked up Darrach’s diaper bag as Jerrod and a bandy-legged man in an ugly beige police uniform joined us, shouting and slapping Alex on the back. He had thinning blond hair, a red neck and a loud voice.

"Your aunt said you were here!"

Alex shook his hand, a polite and slightly pained smile on his face. Lucky for me, the Christmas music from the speakers covered up my giggle.

"You know, Sheriff Townsend is retiring after the first of the year." Jerrod smiled benignly.

My eyebrows rose as I looked from Jerrod to Alex to the Sheriff. Nearby, even Maggie and her lady friends had quieted down and were watching with interest. It didn’t take a crime scene investigator to figure out where this was going and that someone had planned it.

"No, sir," Alex said, giving his dad a pointed look. "I hadn’t heard."

The Sheriff nodded as he spoke, almost as if he thought it would help drive his point home, "Well we’ve had a hell of a time finding a replacement. Hell of a time."

Alex started to slowly shake his head while his father clamped a hand down on his shoulder. "Just hear him out, son."

"You’re an FBI Agent. I figure with all your experience, you’d make a perfect replacement."

Alex works Cyber Crimes.

"I work in Cyber Crimes. Computers, white collar stuff."

The Sheriff waved it off. "You’re a Boudreaux." He shrugged. "Even that prissy-ass new mayor we got couldn’t say no to you."

Alex sighed. I knew what was coming just as I'm sure his father did: A big fat, "No!"

"I appreciate it but—"

"I’ll do it."

They all turned to stare at me.

"Now,
honey
," Sheriff Townsend said, an almost pained expression on
his
face.

"I’m an FBI agent, too," I threw out. "
And
I have more degrees than Alex,
and
I'm a Boudreaux. By marriage, but still, that counts, doesn’t it?

"You’re also a mama," he said.

"Alex can stay home with the baby. Can’t you honey?" I beamed up at my husband who, if he could have, probably would have killed me just then for having such a big mouth.

"I think it’s a wonderful idea," Maggie said from her seat at the table. The women around her nodded in agreement.

"I agree," said Betti.

I turned to find Betti standing behind me, arms crossed over her ample chest, Aunt Susie at her side. I’d said yes on a lark. I’d said yes to keep Alex from outright saying no. So their support meant the world. I swallowed the lump in my throat, nodded and mouthed a silent ‘thank you’ before I turned back to the men.

I’m not sure what was funnier: the expression on Alex’s face or the expression on Sheriff Townsend’s face.

"Are you out of your mind?" Alex finally shouted loudly enough to make Darrach stir.

"About what?" Susie stepped up, draping an arm across my shoulders.

"About me being the new sheriff of Bluebonnet County."

Susie beamed hard enough to light up the entire bar. "I think that’s a fine idea."

"So do I," said my oh-so-obviously pleased father-in-law.