“I wonder if he can keep his record. It’s unbeatable as of today. A little friendly competition perhaps?”
“What?” we both yelled at the television at the same time as Axe’s pictures were flashed on the screen. Several were from his heyday winning rodeos, more recent ones in his smokejumper uniform and even some catching him while working on a fire. Oh, this was bad. So bad. Axe would never believe I didn’t have a hand in this.
My father had decided that since I’d spent time with Axe, he’d include him as being a part of the rodeo.
As a headliner.
Just to spite me.
With that, Axe stormed toward the door of the motel, fighting with the chain. So much so I was certain he would rip it off. When he threw open the door, it bypassed the measly door stopper, slamming into the wall.
Cringing, I was thankful I was wearing a shirt just in case there was anyone standing outside. But not my shirt. His tee shirt.
So he could close the door behind him, he had to turn all the way around. The look he gave me was unforgiving.
Only he wasn’t just angry with me or with my father. He was either furious with himself or something else that he’d yet to share.
And it wasn’t my place to ask.
The reporters continued discussing how he’d saved a life of another smokejumper and went into the story about hisbrother’s tragic death once again. He wouldn’t be able to walk down the street without being accosted by someone.
You bet I felt responsible for the nightmare. If I’d shut my father down right away, this wouldn’t be happening.
Turning the television off, I stood in the quiet of the room, trying to make sense of why my father would dare push me unwittingly into this ridiculous situation without my approval. If my father was one thing, it was completely conniving.
Plus, whatever mess my father had gotten himself involved in was worse than I’d thought. What were the chances the arson fire at the old mill didn’t have some correlation to the stadium? I wasn’t suggesting he’d hire someone to start a fire. But what if someone else would to keep the stadium from opening?
God, I hated the man right now.
I sat on the end of the bed for a few seconds until I realized Axe wasn’t coming back into the room any time soon. Well, we were both stranded so I had no clue what his thoughts could be. As the frustration grew, I stood, pacing back and forth. Then I turned in a full circle before sitting back down.
Oh, this was ridiculous. I moved to the window, pulling back the ugly curtains. Of course he was leaning over the chintzy looking railing, staring at the mountains. He used to do that all the time when he was young. The man had an on-off switch like no one else I knew.
Coffee. I needed coffee. This was a damn bridal suite. There better be a machine of some kind.
Thank God, I found one. While there were only two packets and the powdery kind of creamer, right now I didn’t care. I staredat the door while both were brewing, hoping both he would and wouldn’t walk through the door.
I wasn’t in the mood for an argument. Not until I heard what my father had to say. Then I’d exact my level of rage toward him before figuring out how to get out of this mess.
I would just walk away if he hadn’t attached Axe to the event. How dare he do that without asking me or asking Axe for that matter? Oh, when this nightmare was finished, I’d never speak to my father again.
Or my brother for that matter.
How dare they use me.
It took me a few seconds, but I found my panties. With the shirt being long enough to be a mini-dress, I didn’t feel the need to take it off until we were ready to leave.
Maybe I just needed to hold onto the night we’d shared for a little longer. Including his scent, which had painted my skin. The musky fragrance still had a little smoke from the fire. Or maybe I was imagining it. I pulled my arm under my nose, hating the ache in my stomach.
How had things had gotten so out of hand?
After this morning, I had no doubt Axe would never talk to me again. Why should he?
Glancing at the sugars, I laid them out, counting them. Exactly the number of sugars needed. Obviously, I’d reached livid status since I ripped open all eight at the same time, my hand shaking as I poured out the granules.
With both coffees in one hand, I stood by the door for a few seconds before opening it.
Axe didn’t bother turning around, but every muscle stiffened. I didn’t look in his direction as I handed him the coffee, uncertain if he would accept it.
