Wildfire Omens (Wildwood #1)

Chapter 19

Chapter Nineteen

Cheyenne

I stopped at the bar first, feeling like I needed to apologize again to Pete. He gave me a guarded smile when I walked in.

“Hey, Cheyenne. Didn’t expect to see you anytime soon.” He polished the shiny wood bar with a rag, rubbing a bit harder than was necessary.

I slid onto one of the black leather barstools. “I have backup tonight. Listen, Pete, I’m really sorry about yesterday.”

“No worries,” he said, though his smile didn’t seem sincere. “Things happen. Maybe we can reschedule?”

I groaned inwardly, wishing he hadn’t asked. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt his feelings. But it would be worse to lead him on and hurt him even more later.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I said slowly.

He turned crimson. “I see. I guess … I guess you and Rhett are back together, then?”

“Whoa,” came a voice from behind me. “What’s this about you and Rhett?”

I turned around to see Sam and his girlfriend standing there, and it was my turn to blush awkwardly.

“We’re not,” I said, looking first to him, then to Pete. “I’m helping until he gets better. That’s not why, Pete. But let’s not talk about it now, okay?”

“Or ever,” he suggested, red-faced as he turned and disappeared into the kitchen.

I sighed and propped my elbows on the bar, resting my head in my hands. I regretted ever having agreed to go out with him at all.

“What’s all this about?” Sam asked, confused. His girlfriend, Emily, snuggled into him, giving me a strange look.

“Rhett was injured,” I said, spinning around to face them as I attempted to explain. “Long story short, he’s recovering at my house. Pete and I had a date scheduled for last night, and I forgot about it. When Pete arrived and saw Rhett, he jumped to conclusions.”

“Ah. I see,” Sam said, though his face said something different. I wasn’t sure if his clear disapproval was about Rhett staying at my place or about my date with Pete.

“Rhett…” Emily said, letting the word linger on her lips. “I don’t think I’ve met him.”

“He’s Claire’s brother. He doesn’t live here,” I explained.

“Ahh,” she said, her eyes twinkling. “Another sexy Hawkins brother. I think I remember hearing about him actually. Is he the ex who left you?”

“That would be the one,” I said, forcing a smile—though I was irrationally annoyed at hearing her call Rhett sexy.

“So, you two are shacking up, huh?”

Make that very annoyed. “I have some medical training. I’m just helping him recover.”

“Recovery from what?” she asked, cocking her head.

I sighed, not really wanting to get into all of it with her but knowing that Sam likely wanted an explanation too. “He has a head injury. A grade-four concussion. Right now, he’s on bedrest and we’re monitoring him. His sister is sitting with him right now to give me a break.”

Her eyes bugged out of her head. “Oh my gosh. That sounds terrible. I hope he’ll be okay.”

“He will be. Thanks.”

Sam was giving me a look like he could see right through me—which, honestly, he probably could. You didn’t work with someone so closely for so many years without them learning to read your cues.

“That’s a lot, Cheyenne. Are you doing okay with all of it?” he asked gently.

“I am.” I knew that my face probably betrayed the truth—that it was complicated and I was a mess. But I also knew he’d respect the fact that I didn’t want to get into it here.

“If you need anything, call,” he said, putting a hand on my shoulder. “I’m not far away. I can take a turn sitting with him, give you a break. Whatever you need. Even if it’s just to talk.”

“Thanks,” I said, giving him a grateful look.

“We better let you get back to your man,” Emily said, winking. “The whole thing sounds awfully romantic to me. Nursing him at his bedside? It’s the stuff of romance novels. Maybe fate is bringing you two back together.”

I stared at her, biting back the words I wanted to say. Romantic? For someone you cared about to nearly die?

Hardly.

Now I remembered why I always avoided Sam when she was around.

Sam squeezed her arm and pulled her away, giving me an apologetic look. And I decided ice cream in a different building was better than the whiskey I’d planned on having here.

“Cheyenne! It’s been so slow today I was about to close up and head home early. But since you’re here, you’ll help me get through the last twenty minutes of the day.” Alma’s eyes twinkled. We both knew she never took a day off or closed early, even though she threatened it at least twice a week.

“Glad I can help you pass the time. A scoop of huckleberry, please,” I said, tossing some bills down onto the counter as I pulled a stool up to the counter.

She scooped it out of the chest and handed it to me, ignoring the money. “Should I ask why you’re back for ice cream so soon? That’s usually a bad sign.”

I chuckled. “You know me well. It’s been a long few days.”

“I heard about what happened to Rhett. Guess that’s probably made things rough at the ranch.”

“I’m sure it has,” I agreed.

She cocked her head. “I meant for you, silly. You guys were already stretched thin. Now, with Naomi having another injured person to tend, I’m guessing you’re pulling triple duty. Surprised you’re off shift already.”

“Oh, I guess you didn’t hear. I’ve actually been off the last couple of days. Rhett needed a place to recover, and my house made the most sense, so he’s been staying with me.”

Her face showed her disapproval. “Cheyenne…”

I held up my hands in protest. “It’s not a big deal, Alma. It was easier for them to cover my job than for Naomi to watch him while the rest of us fumbled around in the kitchen, trying to prepare food for the guests. Trust me, we tried that while he was in the hospital. It wasn’t pretty.”

“Naomi isn’t his only family member,” she pointed out. “I know Claire’s tied up being a deputy, and Walker’s down, and Travis can barely catch his breath. But that still leaves Beth and Jonathan. One of them could have kept an eye on him. I can’t believe they forced you to do that.” She shook her head, frowning.

“They didn’t,” I said, feeling the need to defend them. “You’re forgetting that Jonathan is a senior in school and can’t sit around watching Rhett during the day. Besides, it’s not just about who’s the easiest to replace. Rhett’s on physical restrictions right now and I don’t have stairs. Plus, my house is a lot quieter than a ranch fully booked with tourists. I was the best choice.”

She pointed a sharp finger at me. “You’re playing with fire, girl. That boy about killed you when he left, and I can tell by the way you keep blushing that your heart is already getting caught up again while he’s got you playing nurse. I don’t like it at all. Next thing you know, he’ll be trying to worm his way into your pants again, and then where will you be?”

“It’s not like that,” I insisted. “I’m not doing it for him. I owe his whole family for the way they’ve helped me over the years. Plus, he got hurt because he was defending me.”

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

“We’re pretty sure Thomas is the one who did this. He’s got an alibi, but it’s his wife, and—”

“And she won’t even turn him in for beating her.” Alma’s face wrinkled in distaste.

“Exactly. Rhett and Thomas got into a fight at the bar. You know how much Thomas hates me. I guess he made some threat about teaching me a lesson, and that’s what started everything. Then, when Rhett was alone, Thomas tried to finish it.”

“That’s not your fault.”

“No, but I owe him,” I said quietly. “But you don’t have to worry. He’s past the danger zone and it won’t be long before he’s able to move back to the ranch. He and I agreed to be friends, and that’s all there is to it.”

“Friends is a dangerous thing with a man like that, honey.”

She had no idea.

“Trust me, I know. I’m not interested in a fling, and Rhett’s not the kind of guy to hang around. I learned that lesson a long time ago, and I won’t forget it.”

Her eyes softened. “You know I love you like you’re my own. I just don’t want to see you get hurt again. Couldn’t bear to see your heart broken like it was ten years ago.”

“I promise, my heart’s fine,” I said.

It wasn’t. But I hoped I was convincing enough to reassure her.