Sexual Affection (Contemporary Cowboys 3)

“It is,” Drina said, studying Gemma. “You know, Gemma, you can find happiness, too.”

“You mean there’s more room over there at the arms dealers’ farm?”

“They don’t run guns anymore.”

“Apparently they do. If nothing else, Dad’s stunt should’ve exposed the Blaziers. They have no intentions of getting out of guns, just like the McDowell brothers will always make moonshine and meth. Once a worm gets in an apple, it’s always ruined no matter how you peel and slice it.”

“I’m sorry you feel that way.” Drina couldn’t help but notice Gemma’s sad eyes. “You’re in love with them.”

“The McDowells?” She clucked. “Yep. I sure am.”

“Then why did you let Hales bring you home last night?”

Gemma shrugged. “Because he acted interested. It was nice to have someone around who might be a caring friend later on in life.”

“And you need friends now. Is that it?”

“Coco isn’t here. Brianna’s fellas keep her out of town—and don’t get me wrong, I’m glad because it’s much safer if she stays away from this place—and you’ll be moving over to the Blazier farm soon. Nory lives with the Cartwells.” She looked around the kitchen as if she saw a decade or two of memories. “It’s just me and the ghosts who live here now.”

“Gemma, you don’t have to settle in life. You don’t have to settle for the McDowells or anyone like them.”

“I. Love. Them.” She rose to her feet and slung her coffee in the sink. Then, she set her mug on the counter and stormed upstairs.

About that time, the phone rang.

“Hello?” Drina pressed the speaker option and went to the refrigerator. “Hello?”

“Hey, Drina! It’s Nory.”

“Hey, kiddo. How are you?” She rummaged through the refrigerator until she located some ham and cheese.

“I’m great. Everything is fine. I saw Dad. He looks real good.” She immediately told grand tales about how he’d taken her shopping, spent all this time with her, and how much fun they’d had. “We had to be very careful in order to spend time together. Isn’t that great? He went to so much trouble just to see me, Drina!”

Gemma crept back downstairs and glared at the phone as Nory told about her adventures. Drina shook her head at Gemma, willing her not to say anything. Nory was still a young lady with grand illusions about their father. Why spoil her teenage years by telling her the truth about dear old Dad?

“I’m glad you had fun,” Drina said.

Gemma looked as if she were on the verge of telling all. Instead, she said, “Hey, Nory. It’s Gemma.”

“Hey, Gemma! I miss and love you and Drina so much. Maybe I can come for a visit this summer. What do you think?”

“I think that would be great,” Gemma replied, tears welling in her eyes. “We’ll plan on it. K?”

“Deal. Love you both!”

“We love you, too, kiddo,” Drina said, disconnecting the call. A minute later, she returned the cordless phone to the cradle. “Thank you, Gemma.”

r /> “Don’t thank me. I didn’t do it for you and I didn’t do it for Dad. I did it because Nory deserves a few moments of happiness. After all, what does she have to look forward to when she grows up?”

“I don’t know, Gem. I’d like to think she’ll find some good in this world. I did.”

“You’re delusional.” Gemma’s lip curled. “But sometimes women like us are a product of our upbringing. Mom was neurotic and Dad knew it. She lived in her pretentious world, thinking we had all these luxuries because we deserved them. Dad had worked hard for them.” Gemma laughed. “I remember her saying, ‘The wealthy here in this town have dirty hands and filthy minds. They spend most of their waking hours trying to figure out how they can earn their next million and they don’t care who they hurt’ and she was right.”

“I hate that you’re so jaded. Obviously, you’ve been hanging out with the wrong people.” Drina crossed her arms. “And maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad thing if you and Hales spent some time together. He’s a good guy. Regardless of what you think, the Blazier brothers are a strong and stable family. They lost three brothers and a mother to the gun business. If you think they’re doing anything illegal, you’re wrong.”

* * * *

Zak slapped his hands together and brushed the dust from his gloves. “That should be the last of it.”