Chapter 2
ALEX
The unseasonable heat of a late-February afternoon drifted over me like I’d walked into a steam room.
Unaccustomed to any amount of humidity, I tried to suck in a breath as I exited Houston’s Hobby Airport.
In the past twenty-four hours I’d experienced a change in time of nineteen hours and a temperature shift of over seventy degrees.
In my time away, working in one of the coldest places in the world, I’d all but forgotten how I’d almost melted during my childhood in Texas.
I tightened my grip on the handle of my bag.
My fingers slipped a bit. I was already sweating, and I’d barely stepped outside.
Maybe taking this opportunity was a mistake.
Before I could go too far down that path, a horn sounded.
A huge pickup truck screeched to a halt in front of me, and Charlene hopped out of the driver seat.
“If I wasn’t looking at you with my own eyes, I wouldn’t believe you’re here.” Before I could reply, she wrapped her arms around me and squeezed tight.
My throat constricted at the sight of my sister. It had been too long. “Good to see you, too.”
She pulled back and I caught a hint of tears in the corners of her eyes. I’d let her take on too much. She never should have had to deal with Gramps on top of everything else she had going on.
She flung her arm around my side and guided me toward the truck. “Have I told you how happy I am that you’re here?”
I hugged her close. “How’s Gramps?”
The smile faded, her mouth turning slightly downward. “He’s still at the nursing home right now. But I’ve got to get him out of there. He’s so unpredictable.”
“I don’t know how you do it. Raising four kids, practically by yourself.
You’re incredible, you know?” I had nothing but the utmost respect for my older sister.
When her husband signed up for another tour of duty, she’d done everything she could to hold things together.
Being so far away, I had no idea what kind of toll that took.
But now that I saw the worry lines etched into her forehead, how her clothes hung from her thin frame, and the dark smudges under her eyes, I vowed I’d do what I could to ease her burden.
“So tell me about this job you landed. What kind of opportunity brings a guy who’s spent the last six months working in Antarctica back home to Texas?”
“I’m not sure you’ll believe me if I tell you.” When I talked to Munyon’s attorney about the job, I thought it was a joke. I still didn’t believe it myself.
“Go on, try me.”
“Okay.” I waited for Char to climb into the truck as I buckled up. “I got an offer to take care of a small group of penguins.”
“At the aquarium?”
“No, that’s just it. They’re redoing the exhibit, so I have to relocate them.”
“Where?” Char asked.
“I’m not sure yet.” That was the only kink in my plan.
“We don’t have room for penguins. So help me, Alex, if you think you’re going to—”
I twisted in my seat to meet my sister’s gaze. A few years ago, I might have strung her along for a bit, just for a few laughs. But in her current situation, I didn’t want to risk sending her over the edge and having to take on all of her other responsibilities in addition to Gramps.
“Don’t worry, they’re not coming to your place.”
“Promise?” Her voice squeaked.
“Yes, I promise.”
“So where are you going to put these penguins?” she asked.
“I haven’t quite figured that part out yet, but I’ve got a couple of ideas and a few months to make it happen.”
“You’ve got to be kidding. How many penguins are you talking about?”
“Six. A nice half dozen.” My blood pressure notched up as I thought about it.
There should be a few things in life that money couldn’t buy.
Evidently a bridal party made up of penguins wasn’t one of them.
According to the attorney, Munyon’s daughter had dreamed of her big day as a little girl. And been changing her mind ever since.
She’d started with a wedding on a private island in the Caribbean.
But in the last month she’d shifted gears and now she wanted penguins.
As the only daughter of a man with more money than God, she’d have exactly what she wanted on her big day, no matter how ridiculous it seemed or how much it cost.
Char let out a laugh. “I guess those summers you spent working at that marine life park are finally paying off. Where are you going to house half a dozen penguins?”
“I’m not sure yet. Know of anywhere nearby where there’s room for a huge wedding and space to set up a temporary habitat?”
“You know they’re putting up that wedding place over in Ido,” Char volunteered.
“Ido?” I asked.
“I don’t think I mentioned it, but Idont changed their name to Ido last year.”
“Why the hell would they do that?” The only thing Idont had going for it was Phillips Stationery and Imports. That place had been around for over a hundred years and was the backbone of Idont’s business.
“You remember Lacey Cherish?”
At my nod, she continued. “The Phillips family shut down the import business, so she went and turned the Phillips House into a venue for weddings and events. Got the whole town to rename themselves Ido. If you ask me, that girl’s got a few screws loose.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Business is booming. Although it’s a pain in the ass to try to get around town. She’s got a couple of weddings every weekend. Traffic can get pretty backed up along the highway.”
“What’s she doing with the warehouse?” I asked. If there was a place nearby that might fit the bill, it would save me days, maybe even weeks, of research.
“I don’t know. Storage, maybe?”
My first day in Texas, and things were already looking good. “Think we can swing by the Phillips place on the way home?”
“Sure, I’ll have Jordan keep an eye on her sisters when they get home from school. What do you have in mind?” Char asked.
“Just an idea. We’ll see.”
Zina
I hung another tablecloth on a hanger in the upstairs closet at the Phillips House.
Lacey had been using the historic Victorian as a venue to host all kinds of events, although most of them were weddings.
As I folded up the empty bag and slid it into the bottom of the antique armoire, tires crunched on the gravel drive outside.
I glanced out the window, surprised at the sight of a blue pickup truck. Usually prospective brides and grooms set up appointments directly with Lacey. I waited as a couple got out of the truck. The man and woman stood outside their vehicle for a moment, and then the man headed for the front steps.
Probably a couple looking for a wedding venue. I let the curtain fall back in place. The doorbell chimed as I made my way down the grand staircase to the foyer. I’d just hand them one of Lacey’s cards and get on with my day.
But then I opened the door. I wasn’t prepared for the sight of the man standing on the other side. Although, I wasn’t sure a woman could do anything to prepare for a man like him showing up on her doorstep.
He towered over me, just like he probably stood a head taller than most other men. Granted, I was on the shorter side since I’d inherited my height from my mama’s side of the family, along with my curves. His broad shoulders filled the doorframe, blocking out the light behind him.
But it wasn’t his height or his build that made me take a step back. It was his eyes. Somewhere between blue and green, they locked onto me, holding me mesmerized in their grip.
I cleared my throat and held tighter to the doorframe. “Can I help you?”
“I’m looking for Lacey Cherish. Is she around?”
His voice vibrated through me, the deep baritone rumbling from my toes to the tips of my curls. I shook my head. “She’s at the office. Are you looking for a place for an event?”
“Something like that.” He grinned, and the corners of his eyes crinkled.
Good Lord, was that a hint of a dimple peeking out at me from his left cheek? I’d been lost in those eyes, but when he smiled, his lips quirking up into a grin, my insides churned. Who was he?
“I could show you around if you’d like.” I tilted my head, inviting him to step into the foyer.
“Thanks, but I’m mostly interested in the warehouse. Do you know if she ever rents that out?”
“The warehouse?” What kind of event would he want to hold in the warehouse? “I don’t know, but I can give you one of her cards.”
“That would be great.”
“Here you go.” As I handed him the card, my fingers brushed his.
My whole arm quivered. I shook it off, uncomfortable with the sensation.
He was probably a groom, checking out the place for his upcoming wedding.
No need to get my panties in a wad over some stranger. Especially one who was off the market.
“Thanks.” He glanced to the card, then back to me. “You look familiar. Do I know you?”
“No. I’m sure I’d remember.” The words spilled out before I had a chance to shut myself up. As I tried to compose myself, I thrust my hand at him. “Zina Baxter. I’m one of Lacey’s friends.”
“Baxter . . .” His hand curled around mine. Tingles shot up my arm. “You’re Zeb’s little sister, aren’t you?”
“You know my brother?” Who was this guy? And how did he know my older brother? Zeb hadn’t gotten out much since he returned from his tour of duty a couple of years ago.
“Yeah. I played against him and Lacey’s brother, Luke, a few times on the football field. He had talent. I was surprised he didn’t make it to the pros.”
Yes, Zeb had talent. He also had a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas and felt like he needed to prove something. That’s why he’d joined the Marines.
“Things don’t always turn out the way we hope.
” My heart twisted a bit as I considered the future my brother might have had if he’d made a different choice.
I probably wouldn’t be standing here talking to this cool drink of water if my brother had gone to college.
I wouldn’t have had to take an early hardship discharge from the Army and would probably still be training dogs for the military.
No need to revisit the coulda, woulda, shouldas of my past. I refocused my attention on the man in front of me.
“You didn’t tell me your name.” I eyed him with newfound curiosity.
“Sorry about that. Alex Sanders.”
“And that’s your fiancée?” I peered past him to the woman standing by the truck.
Alex laughed, a deep rumble of laughter that made my toes curl. And my toes didn’t curl easily.
He hooked a thumb and gestured to the truck. “That’s my sister. I grew up over in Swynton. Just got back into town, and we’re on our way home from the airport.”
“So what do you want with Lacey?” My internal radar switched on high alert, and I tried to feel out his intentions.
“I’ve got a proposition for her. Do you know if she’s currently using the warehouse for anything?” He stepped back and turned to face the direction of the warehouse. A line of tall trees obstructed it from view.
“Just for storage right now. You have something you need to store?” Or something you need to hide? I thought to myself.
“Maybe.” He slid the business card into the back pocket of his jeans. “I’ll give her a call. It was nice to meet you, Zina.”
I didn’t like the way he said my name, the way he rolled the syllables over his tongue, drawing it out in his native Texas drawl. Didn’t like the way it made my stomach clench or my cheeks heat. Didn’t like it one bit.
“Have a good day.”
“Be sure and tell your brother I said hello.”
I nodded, forcing a smile. I’d do no such thing.
Not until I found out what Alex Sanders wanted with Lacey.
He turned and made his way down the front steps, his shoulders rolling, making my insides twist and turn around themselves like a piece of licorice candy.
As he and his sister stepped on the running boards and got into the truck, I reached for my phone.
Lacey would strangle me if I didn’t give her a heads-up that the sex on a stick I’d just met was going to be giving her a call.