Devil in Texas (Rugged and Risque 1)

“Hmm.”

This wasn’t really getting her where she needed to be.

As Jack’s hands moved to her shoulders and rubbed them gently, she relaxed back against him and asked, “So how’d she end up with Reverend Bain?”

Jack sighed, apparently resigned to the fact that she wasn’t going to ease up on the questions. “She’s a reformed sinner.”

Liza let out a laugh. “Lydia Bain? Are you kidding me?”

“I shit you not.” He was quiet a moment before adding, “She had a rebellious streak to match mine, but she was much smarter about it. Much more discreet. Except for one time.”

Liza was genuinely curious. “What happened?”

“She met a boy her senior year in high school. In town for band camp or bible study. I forget which. Anyway, she took a liking to him and it was mutual. He was here for about two weeks. A month later, she found out she was pregnant.”

Liza shifted in the tub, twisting at the torso so she could face him. Jack didn’t look happy about what he’d just divulged.

“It’s not exactly a town secret,” he said. “But not something folks talk about, either. Certainly not me.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to back you into a corner,” she said. “I just don’t understand what the deal is with her. Clearly the two of you are close. That surprises me, because she’s such a bi—”

“Not always. And not with everyone.” He shook his head. “In fact, I’ve never seen her take such an instant disliking to someone.”

“She called me a disco ball at a wake, Jack. In front of her clients in the salon.”

He chuckled. “Well, darlin’. You sort of are.”

Her jaw dropped. Promptly snapping it closed, Liza said, “Of course you’d take her side.” Why not? He and Lydia went “way back”. Whereas Liza was the new kid in town. A passing fancy, so why would he side with her?

She braced a hand on the edge of the tub and started to get out. Jack grabbed her around the waist, though, and forced her back between his legs.

“Now, darlin’,” he said with a grin. “Don’t get all riled on me. I meant it as a compliment.”

“Lydia didn’t,” she said between clenched teeth.

“You’re just not something she’s used to having around. And since she’s become a creature of habit, you challenge her boundaries. Hell, she probably secretly liked that dress you wore yesterday, just like Ruby did. But she can’t admit that out loud, now can she?”

“She can’t even abide nightgowns on the street.”

Jack groaned. “Yeah, I know.”

“So what happened with the baby?” Liza asked.

Jack frowned. “The kid who got her pregnant didn’t want to take responsibility. Lydia didn’t want to give up the baby. Her parents kicked her out of the house, having some pretty nasty things to say about her.” He shook his head and raked a hand through his hair, dampening it. “Never was a friendly place, that house. Always lots of yelling going on. Some slapping too, I suspect.”

“Oh.” Well, didn’t that just make Liza feel two inches tall? Apparently, Lydia had seen her fair share of tough times. Liza’s own recent hardships made her more empathetic, of course. Having the father of your child turn his back on you was right up there with finding your boyfriend of six years in bed with another man.

As that mental picture formed in her mind, despite every effort to keep the memory at bay, Liza went cold. She climbed out of the tub and this time Jack let her go. Wrapping a towel around her body as he eyed her curiously, she had to admit she could feel some of Lydia’s pain. Though her parents had never resorted to physical abuse, her mother’s verbal litanies were enough to scar her for life.

Seemed she and Lydia had a bit in common. Including a claim on Jack, in one form or another. Which made a new thought click into place.

Her

gaze lifted to meet his. “You fixed this place up for her, didn’t you? She’s the one you decorated it for.”

He nodded. Hauling his hunky body out of the tub, he accepted the clean towel she offered and wrapped it around his waist. “My parents were splitting up at that point. I was nineteen, a year older than Lydia. My dad had just discovered my mother’s affair with Bill Bain, Jonathan’s brother.” Jack let out a hollow laugh as he seemed to recall that time in his life. “My dad owned the newspaper in town. He had a weekly column, but was also the staff photographer and covered all of the front-page news. He was brilliant. Loved investigative reporting. Could sniff out a juicy story at ten paces and wasn’t afraid to call people out when they stepped over a line they shouldn’t.”

Jack leaned against the vanity, crossed his strong arms over his wide chest and continued. “When he found out about Mom and Bill, he followed them to a motel outside of town where they’d meet. Snapped a few incriminating photos and ran them on the front page with an article about the entire illicit affair.”