Page 18

Cowboy Jack’s

Shelby—

The bell above the door jangles, drawing my attention from the woman I’m waiting on. I leave her with the selection of necklaces and move to the other glass case.

Mrs. Tinsley struts in with an excited expression. “I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch, but I just had the most fantastic phone call with my dear friend Kitty.” She claps her hands together. “We’ve got it all set up.”

“What’s that?” I ask brightly.

“The gala, of course. It’s going to be at the St. Christopher Resort in Santa Fe. It’s the most exquisite place you’ve ever seen. It’s absolutely perfect. Kitty is a magician when it comes to arranging these things. She’s all in on this charity, too, since she’s a real dog lover.” She takes a breath. “Aren’t you excited?”

“Very. I think it’s wonderful, but…”

“But what, dear?”

“I need help setting up the charity. I’ve only been doing this as a side job.”

She waves her hand. “My husband is an attorney. He can take care of all the details. I’ll set you up an appointment with him this week.”

“Is this really happening?” I ask, somewhat stunned.

She reaches across the glass counter and clasps my hands. “It’s really happening, Shelby. And I can’t thank you enough for the difference you’ve made in my daughter’s life. In all our lives. This is the least I can do, and if you’re able to help other children, then it’s all worth it.”

“I’m speechless.”

“I’ll call you later with all the details once Kitty gets back to me, but now I’ve got to run.” She waves and breezes out the door.

I stand frozen, overwhelmed with feelings, and that’s when I hear the rumble of a motorcycle.

“I’ll take this one,” my other customer says, approaching me with her choice in hand.

I quickly ring it up for her, the whole time super aware of the motorcycle parking in front of the store.

When the woman leaves, I see through the window a man climb from the bike, take off his helmet, and hang the strap from his handlebar. He turns and runs a hand through his hair, and I see his face for the first time.

My stomach drops. How in the world did Rio find me?

I shouldn’t be surprised. Not with a man like him. Everything I know about that man tells me he could track down anyone.

When he comes through the door, his very presence sucks all the air from the room, and I’m mesmerized watching him walk toward me. Every time I see him, it reminds me of how tall he is, how broad his shoulders are, and how commanding his presence is. I’m hypnotized when I stare into his eyes.

His face softens, and the corner of his mouth pulls up. “Shelby.”

“Rio,” I say, lamely, then lick my lips. “What… what are you doing here?”

“Came to see you, sweetheart.” He glances around the shop. “Nice place. Is it yours?”

I shake my head. “I manage it.”

He shoves his hands in his pockets. “Can you take a lunch break?”

My assistant walks out of the stockroom and stops when she sees Rio, her eyes dropping to his black leather vest. Her eyes get huge and flick to me.

“It’s all right, Chloe. I know him. Think you could handle things while I take my lunch break?”

“Sure,” she squeaks.

I grab my purse and hurry to get him out of the store before any customers come in. When we get outside, he turns to me.

“You know any good places to eat up here?”

“Sure. Follow me.” I lead him over a couple of side streets, away from the main tourist area. I have to admit a part of me is afraid to be seen with him, especially by Mrs. Tinsley or anyone else I know, like the owner of the store.

I take him to a little dive called Cowboy Jack’s. It’s nothing fancy, just some wooden booths along the wall and a bar on the other side, but the food is good.

Rio holds the door for me, and I lead him to the booth in the back. He takes the far end with his back to the wall. I can only suppose it’s a quirk left from his time in prison.

A young server takes our drink order, returning with our glasses of craft beer.

“You look pretty today,” Rio says.

“Thank you,” I say. I’m wearing a pair of black fitted jeans, flat sandals that tie up my ankles, and a stylish cream blouse that wraps and ties at the side. I accessorized it with some fine gold chains. My eyes move over him. “It’s different seeing you wearing that.”

“My cut?” He stokes a hand over his chest.

“Is that what it’s called?”

“You embarrassed to be seen with me wearing this?”

My eyes drop to the table. He saw right through me, bringing him to this backstreet place.

“It’s okay, darlin’. I get it, but I wanted to see you.”

Guilt floods through me. “It’s an hour and a half drive from Las Cruces, so I guess you did.”

“You don’t think you’re worth it? Because you absolutely are, Shelby.” He takes my hand, running his thumb across the tops of my fingers. It’s a simple touch, but its electrifying. “I’d drive five-hundred miles to see you.”

My gaze flicks to his, reading the truth in his eyes. “You would?”

“Damn right. Any man who wouldn’t isn’t worthy of you, angel.”

“The things you say.” I withdraw my hand, still uncomfortable with being touched. It’s different with Rio, but still, the automatic reaction has become ingrained in me.

“I’m not saying anything that isn’t true.”

I change the subject. “So, how are things in Las Cruces?”

“Good. Things are coming along really well.”

“Jenny told me how you’ve won over the entire town.”

“Really?” He quirks a brow. “What else does Jenny tell you?”

I shrug. “Just town gossip.”

“Like?”

“She said the cops aren’t bothering people like they used to.” I hazard a glance to his eyes. “Did your club have anything to do with that?”

“Sweetheart, we had everything to do with that.”

“How did you manage to change things?”

“Maybe someday I’ll tell you.”

We place our order, both getting the barbeque brisket with fries. I study him as he eats. He devours it, and I can only imagine the horrible food he ate in prison.

My gaze traces over his face. “You’ve gotten some sun. It looks good on you.”

His teeth flash. “Been a long time since I’ve gotten a compliment from a woman.”

I blush and look away.

“You know… I saved every one of your letters.”

His admission sends a flash of warmth through me. I’ve got all his letters in a box in my dresser. I’ve spent every night since I had lunch with him in Mesilla, rereading each one. “I saved yours, too.”

“Did you?” He tilts his head. “I wondered when you stopped coming. I thought maybe you’d burned them all.”

“I could never do that,” I whisper.

“You ever gonna tell me why you stopped?”

I shrug. “Maybe someday.”

“But not today?”

I shake my head.

“Shelby?”

My name on his lips has such power over me. It’s like all he has to do is whisper that one word, and I’m putty in his hands.

“I want to see you again. You ever gonna make another trip to Las Cruces?”

“I don’t know. I’ve tried to put that place behind me.”

He nods like he knows, but he doesn’t. I suppose he thinks this is about my father. He couldn’t be more wrong, but I don’t have the guts to tell him the truth. In fact, I never want him to find out.

He glances around the diner. “So, if you won’t come to me, I’ll have to come to you. Though it seems like you don’t want to be seen with me here, either. So, how we gonna work this out?”

“It’s impossible.”

“I don’t believe that. Shelby, I just spent almost a decade in a cell. Now that I’m out, anything is possible.” He gently lifts my chin with the side of his index finger. “Our clubhouse is miles outside of town. Been remodeling it the last few weeks. I’d love for you to see it. Can you take a ride with me?”

“Now?”

“Yeah.”

“I have to get back to work.”

“When’s your next free day?”

“Sunday.”

“Sunday, then. I’ll come pick you up.”

“I’ll drive myself.”

“You’re a stubborn thing, aren’t you?”

“Is that a problem?”

“Nope. There’s no problem you could possibly reveal to me that would change the way I feel about you, Shelby.”

“You sound like this is already a done-deal. It’s not.”

“I know that, but I’m a determined man who knows what he wants and is willing to put in the effort. You’re worth all the effort it’s gonna take, sweetheart.”

His words envelop me like a warm blanket. To be wanted by this man is overwhelming. Everything about him is overwhelming. There’s a table between us, just like there was that first time I visited him in prison. I latch onto the memory, and the question tumbles from my mouth. “Do you remember that first time I came to visit you in prison?”

“Every second of it, pretty girl.”

“I wanted to reach across the table and touch your hand, but I knew it wasn’t allowed.”

He does now what he couldn’t then. “Like this?”

I nod, feeling the warmth of his rough hand. His thumb starts a slow brush across my knuckles. “It’s a simple thing, but I wanted it so badly,”

He shifts and brings our palms touching, threading our fingers together. “You like to hold hands, baby? I’ll spend a lifetime holding your hand.”

I withdraw mine, the old anxiety flaring even though my brain knows there’s nothing to fear with this man. “A lifetime? You’re really sure of yourself.”

“I’m sure of us. Not taking anything for granted—just a feeling I’ve got. Goes down to my bones, and it’s not wrong, Shelby.”

We finish and rise from the table.

“Don’t forget your wallet.” I point to where it lies by the napkin holder.

“Thanks,” he grumbles, sliding it from the table. “The guys would have a field day if I’d had to ride back out here to get my wallet.”

We walk to the shop, holding hands, and I take a deep breath, fighting the ever-present anxieties that try to bubble up. With Rio its different. It feels good. It feels right. With Rio I feel safe again.

He stops next to his motorcycle. “You ever ridden?”

I shake my head.

He takes his helmet off the handlebar and straps it on, his eyes locked with mine. “Gonna be counting the hours until Sunday.”

Then he dips his head and kisses me. It’s nothing showy, no big display, just the brush of his lips, but it’s effective. It makes me sad to see him go.

“See you soon, angel.”

He throws his leg over his seat and lifts the heavy bike off its kickstand, firing it up.

I step up on the walkway.

He winks, and I wave, watching him ride off.

I touch my lips, the feel of his kiss lingering there, and I know I’ll think about it all night long.