Turn and Burn (Blacktop Cowboys 5)

The sunny day had become cloudy and the wind had picked up. She rested her elbows on the top of the fence and watched the horses in the distance. At least a dozen milled about, starting to get spooked by the weather. She didn’t see any foals, but the new mamas and babies might be in a different pasture.

Boots scraped behind her, but she didn’t turn around, expecting it’d be Fletch. But it wasn’t. Eli propped a boot on the bottom rung and stared across the landscape.

She fought a ridiculous pang of disappointment. “You don’t have to hard sell me on accepting your help, Eli. I said I’d think about it.”

“That ain’t my style at all. I came to apologize that I interrupted earlier with Fletch.”

“You didn’t interrupt.”

“That’s not what he said.” Eli’s dark brown eyes met hers. “He mentioned you to me.”

“He did?” Tanna couldn’t keep the surprise out of her voice.

“Yep. Before he knew you were here. Before he recognized you.”

That startled her—and pissed her off a little—so she tossed off, “Was he bragging about his most recent hookup?”

Eli shook his head. “Girl, you are defensive. But no. Fletch ain’t like that.”

“What did he say?”

“That he was an idiot for letting you get away without having a way to contact you.”

“Oh.”

Eli said, “Fletch is a really good guy.”

“You don’t have to warn me off your friend. I won’t drag him into my drama. That one night was it.”

“Fletch is one determined cuss. He’ll aim to change your mind.”

“He can try. But there’s a reason I was named ‘Most Stubborn’ on the circuit.”

Eli grinned. “Ironic that his football nickname was ‘Muley’ because of his stubborn streak. It’s gonna be fun watching you two.”

Tanna threw up her hands. “There’s nothin’ to watch!”

“Keep telling yourself that.” He offered another quick grin. “Let’s see if there’s any food left.”

They walked back to the house in silence. Tanna felt Fletch’s eyes on her, but he didn’t approach her. She filled a plate and listened to Devin entertaining Hank, Abe, Kyle, the two guys she’d met this morning who worked at the Split Rock, Tobin and Hugh, and two other men she’d met earlier, Bran and Ike.

Devin said, “She don’t look nothin’ like in her videos where she’s always glammed up.”

“I’d still take her for a tumble,” Tobin said.

“You’d have to get past her two bodyguards. And they are mean SOBs.”

“Why don’t you have bodyguards?” Ike asked Devin with a snicker.

“Fuck off. I don’t need one, let alone two. At the bigger venues I get assigned a security detail, but they’re more like drivers herding me into the car, getting me where I need to go.”

Someone’s cell phone rang, forcing a pause in the conversation.

Bran answered. “Hey, darlin’. I was just . . . what? When?” He moved out of line abruptly. “Come on, sugar. Take a deep breath.” He listened. “That’s it.” He frowned. “You’re sure Tierney and Renner are okay with takin’ care of him for that long? Uh-huh. I’ll tell her. No. I will. I promise. Harper,” he said sharply, “calm down. Remember to breathe. We’ve been through this before and you did great. Yep. I’m on my way. Love you, baby.” He hung up.

“What’s up?” Hank said.

“Harper’s water broke. And she’s already had contractions. So I gotta get her to the hospital.” He looked around. “Where’s Celia?”

“I’ll grab her,” Kyle said and left.

Bran paced. Stopped. Looked at Hank and Abe. “How long’s it take to deliver a second baby?”

“Usually way less time than a first baby,” Abe said. “Why?”

“I might need one of you to check cattle for me in the morning.”

“No problem. Just keep us up to date.”

Celia rushed forward. “Harper’s in labor?”

“Yeah. She wanted to know if Tierney and Renner can’t watch Tate all night, if you’d mind picking him up and bringing him back here.”

“I’d love to. But Tierney is great with him and I know she won’t mind keeping him. Don’t worry. Now. Go.” She shoved him a little. “Harper needs you. But I’d suggest you wear protective hand covering in the delivery room this time.”

“Thanks.” Bran jogged to his truck.

When Celia wandered over to the picnic table, Tanna said, “Why would he need protective hand covering?”

“Because when Harper was in labor with Tate, she squeezed Bran’s hand so hard she dislocated his knuckle,” Fletch said and sat down beside her. Right beside her.

Tanna didn’t say anything but her stupid heart skipped a beat.

“I should’ve asked if I could get you a beer. Corona, right?”

“No. In fact, I’m done.”

Fletch’s hand gripped her thigh under the table. Then he slid his hand down to her knee and squeezed gently. “Don’t go on my account.”

It’d look like she was running from him if she left now. And Tanna Barker didn’t run from any man. She glanced up to see Celia’s gaze winging between them.