Taking Charge (Lone Star Burn #4)(2)

He replaced his hat and nodded. “Is there anything else you need?”

Lucy’s stomach tightened pleasurably. Her mouth went dry. She held back another laugh as she pictured what he’d say if she told him what she was imagining they could do together. Then she shook her head in self-disgust. Why am I torturing myself like this? Do I really think someone like that would want someone like me? He is probably scrambling to think of an excuse to drop off the ginger ale and run back to Fort Mavis. I should seal the deal and ask him to pick up tampons while he’s there.

She reached into a pocket of her shorts for the ten-dollar bill she remembered putting there earlier. When she pulled it out, a tear-soaked tissue clung to it for a moment, then floated to the floor. As if in slow motion, they both watched its agonizingly awkward descent. Their eyes met again while she held out the bill to him. “Please take some money for that.”

“Uh—I’ve got this.”

So that’s how this plays out—we’ll pretend things aren’t as bad as they are. Just like when you’re eating a salad and accidentally spit a leaf out on an acquaintance. You know they know where it came from. It’s better for both of you to pretend it never happened, though, rather than lean over and try to brush it off their cheek. Some things only get more painful the more you acknowledge them.

Lucy closed the door after David left and sagged against it.

I have thirty minutes to shower. Clean clothes. Clean hair. She glanced at herself in the mirror in the hallway. Makeup might hide the dark circles under my eyes. Might.

Is it better to still look sick?

Lucy pushed herself off the door and raced up the stairway to her bedroom. Nothing will change no matter how I look. Mascara or no mascara, I’ll still be me when he returns.

What a cruel twist to meet a man I could feel something for at a time when I’m too numb to feel anything.

Her body countered with a residual hum at the memory of David. Besides that.

Why can’t I feel this way with Ted? She’d tried to tell herself that Ted had offered her a loan because he was a good friend, but she suspected he wanted more. Since she’d returned home, Ted had been a frequent visitor at the ranch. His friendship had made being home bearable. There had been a look of anticipation in his eyes when he’d offered to help her that made her feel guilty about accepting money from him.

He wanted more than friendship from her.

He’d taken her acceptance of money from him as a sign that she wanted more, also.

She was already feeling guilty that she felt nothing toward Ted.

David has to go.

Before I hate myself more than I already do.

If that’s even possible.

A short time later, David returned with a bag of groceries. Lucy offered to take it from him, but he insisted that she sit and relax at the kitchen table while he put the soup, saltines, Popsicles, bread for toast, and ginger ale into the fridge and cabinets. He placed a bottle of ibuprofen on the counter along with a box of tissues and then said, “You look like you’re feeling a little better.” His eyes fell to the wound she’d inflicted on her leg while rushing to shave. Lucy glanced down and saw that it had started to bleed again. He handed the box of tissues to her. “Do you need me to pick up anything else for you?”

Just my pride from the floor. Lucy ripped the box open and held a tissue to her cut. “Thank you. I am feeling better. I appreciate you getting food for me.”

“Sarah said you were going through a tough time.” He looked at her with sympathy.

“Nothing I can’t handle.”

“You don’t have to weather this alone. I’ve managed Carlton’s ranch for a long time. If you need someone to help you look over your books or come up with a plan for how to repay the bank . . .”

Lucy’s face burned at the humiliating idea of her situation being discussed by people who didn’t even know her. “The bank is no longer an issue, but I appreciate your concern. I’m sorry you came all this way. I have everything under control now. I should have called Sarah and told her I’d found a solution, but I didn’t know she’d send someone here.” Lucy smiled sadly. “She’s a good friend.”

“Yes, she is. She speaks highly of you, too. She said you two met in college.”

The mention of college brought back memories of happier times. “We did. Although that feels like a lifetime ago.” Lucy pushed herself back to her feet. Part of her wanted him gone now, but she was also grateful that he’d driven all the way from Fort Mavis to check in on her. “It’s a long drive home for you, isn’t it?”

David shrugged. “I rented a room in town.”

Of course you did. Sarah probably made you promise to stay until I’m okay. Go home, David. Lucy swallowed hard. “If I felt better, I’d show you Mavis.”

“My schedule is open. I don’t mind hanging around until you’re back on your feet.”

Lucy’s breath caught in her throat, and she swayed. There was something heady about the idea of a man like David taking care of her. What would it feel like to rest her head on those broad shoulders? To have those strong arms close around her? Her gaze went to his lips. To feel any part of him on any part of me.

If I were actually sick, you could be my cure. Rub yourself all over my chest, like Vicks.

She pressed her lips together. But I’m not sick. I’m f*cked.