Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
“You don’t have to drive me to the motel,” she told Jeb as he carried her out of the medical center. “And I can walk.”
As he strode down the street, everyone nodded or called out to him.
“And does everyone in this town know you?”
“Uh, yeah, I guess so. I’ve lived here for a while. And you’re not walking.”
“Jeb, it’s a small burn on the top of my foot. Unless you’re going to carry me everywhere for the next few days, I’m going to have to walk. So might as well start now. Put me down.”
There, that was firm and reasonable, right?
“No.”
Urgh, this man. He was definitely sent to test her.
“No? Jeb, you can’t just say no.”
“Why not?”
“Because that’s so . . . so . . . annoying.”
“Why? Because you’re not getting your way?”
“Not getting my way?” she repeated. “Dude, you are the one that likes to get their own way, not me.”
“Then you should stop arguing with me and let me have what I want.”
Dear Lord.
“I don’t know. I think you get your way too often. I think you need someone to challenge you.”
“And that person is you?”
Suddenly, he stopped walking, staring down at her. Were they flirting? This felt like flirting, right?
Why did he have to be so damn attractive and yet so damn bossy?
She shrugged, not trusting herself to speak without her voice cracking.
“I must admit, you are definitely a challenge,” he said as he walked over to a large black truck.
Wow. This thing was enormous.
“I’m a challenge? Me?” she said, placing her hand on her chest. “What do you think you are?”
He somehow managed to open the door without dropping her. Then he placed her inside and did up her seatbelt.
Did he think that she couldn’t fasten her own belt?
However, she didn’t say anything. She was learning to pick her battles.
Plus, a part of her kind of liked him taking care of her like this. Even if he did check that the seatbelt was working.
Twice.
“Me? Well, I think I’m perfect.”
He was kidding. He didn’t really think that, did he? She stared at him. Hmm. He looked completely serious.
“You know, your aura has gone all strange. Kind of a murky gray. With strange sparks of silver.”
He frowned slightly. “What does that mean?”
Casey opened her mouth and he shook his head.
“You know what, don’t tell me. I can guess.”
He could?
Moving around to the driver’s side, he started the truck up before looking over at her. “Also, I was carrying you because you only have one shoe on.”
She stared down at her feet. Well, crap.
How had she not noticed that she was missing a sandal? “Where did that go?”
“I don’t know. We might have left it at the diner.”
Shoot. Oh, well. She’d just get it later.
He started driving. “Which motel are you staying at?”
“Um, the Angel Suites.”
“All right, I’ll drop you off there.”
“So, that was nice of Megan not to charge us,” she said casually.
He grunted, frowning.
“Guessing your mother never told you to be careful of making faces in case the wind changes and your face is left in that position?” she asked.
Jeb turned to look at her briefly. “What makes you think she didn’t tell me that?”
“Ahh, so you just didn’t listen. Have you been frowning since you were a kid?” she asked.
“I don’t know. Never thought about it,” he said briskly. “And yeah, it was nice of her.”
“I guess she doesn’t do that for everyone.”
Jeb sighed. “What are you trying to say?”
“That she likes you. Maybe you should ask her on a date.” Her stomach tightened at the thought. She didn’t even know why she was bringing this up. It was none of her business.
“She doesn’t like me. She’s just friendly. And even if she did like me, I’m not looking for a relationship right now.”
Right.
What was she thinking? He had lost his wife and maybe he wasn’t ready for another relationship yet.
Urgh, why was she always saying the wrong thing?
“What is this job that you’ve got lined up in Santa Barbara?” he asked.
“I’m working in a club.”
“A club? That doesn’t sound safe.” He pulled up in front of the motel.
“Yeah, well, if I don’t get there soon there won’t be a job,” she muttered.
Stop being so negative. Everything will be fine.
Casey plastered a big smile on her face. “Anyway, not your problem. I’ll be going now. Have a great rest of your life.”
When she tried to open the door though, it wouldn’t work.
“Is the kiddy lock on?” she asked as his phone rang.
He held up a finger and she sighed.
“What? What happened?” The urgency in his voice had her eyeing him worriedly. “Is he all right? Yes, I’ll be there soon.”
Jeb ended the call and started up his truck.
“What are you doing?” she asked as he drove away from the motel. “You’re supposed to be dropping me off.”
“I’ve got to get to the school. Wyatt is in trouble.”
Oh no! She wondered what happened to him. “Just pull over and I’ll walk back to the hotel.”
“No. I haven’t finished with you yet. You’ll just have to wait in the truck while I go straighten it out.”
Great, just great.
When they pulled up outside the school, he quickly undid his seatbelt, then opened the door and jumped out. “Stay here.”
Sheesh.
Did he really think that she was going to just do what he said? Maybe she didn’t want to sit in his truck, waiting. She had stuff to do. Casey climbed over to the driver’s side and opened the door, getting out.
Urgh. Only one sandal. Oh well.
She looked around the school. She was so glad she didn’t have to go to school anymore.
Not the best time of her life. Not that she’d been bullied.
Nobody would dare with her brothers. Most people were more interested in using her to get close to them.
But school had been tough for her. She’d never been good at learning.
Reading, writing, mathematics, all of it had been a struggle. And she’d never quite fit in at school.
She could just leave. But she was worried about the small man-child. Maybe she’d just go and see what was going on.
Following the signs, she walked toward the school office and into a room to find Wyatt sitting on a chair in a small waiting room with his father looming over him.
This wasn’t a good start.
“What were you thinking? You hit another child? You can’t do things like that,” Jeb said.
This isn’t your business.
It’s nothing to do with you.
But as Wyatt turned and she saw the bruise on his cheek she felt her temper stir. Along with another feeling. Something that felt like protectiveness. Strange, she couldn’t remember ever feeling protective of anyone before.
“So what did the other kid do?” she asked as she strolled up to them, reaching into her pocket. She pulled a raspberry lollipop out of her pocket, unwrapping it. Then she popped it into her mouth.
Jeb startled, glancing over at her, then back to Wyatt. “The other kid did something to you?”
Wyatt remained quiet with a stubborn look on his face.
“He or she must have,” she said. “I’m sure Wyatt wouldn’t have gotten into a fight without a reason.”
Wyatt’s face was filled with surprise as he stared up at her. Had Jeb not thought about why Wyatt had gotten into a fight? It seemed to her like he didn’t understand his son at all.
“Wyatt? Did this other boy do something to you? Is that why you got into a fight?” Jeb demanded.
She sat in the seat next to Wyatt. Reaching into her pocket she drew out another lollipop. “Here, small man-child, you look like you could use this.”
Wyatt reached out, his hand trembling, and took the lime lollipop.
“I’m not sure that sugar is the best idea right now,” Jeb said.
“Of course it is,” she replied as she placed her leg over the arm of the chair and swung it back and forth. “Sugar is the answer to everything. Ask me a question. I’m certain the answer is sugar.”
“What’s the meaning of the universe?” Wyatt asked.
“Sugar. See? I’ve missed you, small man-child.”
Wyatt sent her a small smile.
“Do you need some ice for that face?” she asked.
“I’m all right.”
“The two of you don’t even know each other,” Jeb said with exasperation. “You talked for ten minutes a few days ago. How can you have missed him?”
“Is there a certain amount of time you need to talk to someone in order to become their friend?” she asked him around the lollipop in her mouth.
Jeb shot her another look. “Don’t talk with your mouth full.”
Sheesh.
His gaze moved back to Wyatt. “Tell me what’s going on.”
Wyatt still didn’t say anything.
“You got some beef with another kid, small man-child?” she asked.
“You know my name is Wyatt,” the boy said to her.
Casey shrugged. “I like to give my friends nicknames.”
“Have you given Papa a nickname?”
She eyed Jeb. “Well, I’m not sure we’re friends just yet. So I’ll have to wait and see.”
“Small man-child is a long nickname,” Wyatt pointed out.
“You’re right. How about Sugar? You know how much I like sugar.”
Wyatt gave her a small smile. She took that as a win. But she was all too aware of Jeb still standing in front of them, tense and waiting. She better get on with this before he exploded.
“So you’re in some trouble?” she asked.
Wyatt shrugged. “I guess so. The principal seemed kind of mad.”
“Best you tell your dad what happened so he knows how to handle this with the principal. He can’t fight the good fight without being armed with all the information.”
Wyatt gave her a confused look. “Papa won’t fight for me.”
“Wyatt, what makes you think I wouldn’t fight for you?” Jeb crouched in front of him. “You’re the most important thing in my life. I’d do anything for you.”
“I thought the ranch was the most important thing in your life,” Wyatt replied.
Ouch.
Casey felt that blow as though it was inflicted on her. She actually flinched so she could only imagine how bad Jeb felt.
“No, Wyatt, the ranch is a thing, but you are my son. You’re the most important thing. And I’m sorry if I have never made that clear to you.”
Wyatt turned his gaze away and swallowed heavily. She kind of felt like she shouldn’t be here right now. But she was also too scared to move and ruin it.
“Tell me what happened, Wyatt,” Jeb said in a softer voice.
“It was Billy,” Wyatt said suddenly. “He was picking on Josie. Being mean and calling her names.”