Chapter Ten
Urban pulled in front of his house and parked next to the white van. He climbed from the driver’s side, stopped and examined the vehicle closer just as a pretty brunette with big blue eyes stepped off his porch. “Urban Jericho?”
“Who wants to know?”
“Sorry for just showing up, but we talked on the phone. I’m Adira Miles. The filmmaker for the documentary. And that’s Randy, the cameraman.” She pointed to the tall city slicker who was fidgeting with his camera in agitation.
Urban greeted the man with a dip of his hat and received a semi-wave in return.
“I didn’t expect to see you today,” Urban said.
“We settled in at the bed and breakfast here in town and we thought we’d stop by, introduce ourselves and get started ASAP. I’ve already spoken with the sponsors and they’re loving the idea of a rodeo star’s wedding.”
“I don’t know…” This wasn’t just about him. He wondered if Presley would be okay.
“We have your check ready to hand over to you. Best in your hand than mine.” She smiled.
“Well, I need to ca—” His words were interrupted by the sound of tires on the gravel. He turned and watched Hugh’s truck flying up the lane, creating a dust cloud the size of Mount Saint Elias. “What’s the rush, bro?” Urban asked as Hugh climbed from the truck, his jaw set in a hard line.
He didn’t say a word as he stomped up the walkway where Urban stood, confused, and drew back his fist, landing it in Urban’s cheek. Caught off guard, the strike sent him backward, dang near sending him to the ground. If Hugh had wanted to, he could have knocked Urban out, so he realized this was only a message.
Rubbing his jaw, he blinked frantically. “What the fuck, Hugh?”
“That’s what you get for not coming to me and telling me, face to face, that you’re getting hitched to Presley.”
What could he say? So, he stood quiet.
“Uhh…you two cowboys okay?” Adira asked, her brow scrunched. Randy had even forgotten his camera and was staring in shock.
It was then that Hugh realized they weren’t alone because his eyes widened slightly, but he was quick to pull himself back together. Calmly, he stepped forward, dipped his white Stetson and held out his hand in greeting. “Hi, I’m Hugh Jericho.”
The woman shook his hand, a muddled expression marring her features. “Nice to meet you, Hugh. I’m Adira Miles, the filmmaker for the documentary I’m doing on Urban.”
“Well, you better keep your camera rolling at all times around here because there’s never a dull moment.” Hugh smirked and patted Urban on the shoulder as if nothing happened. “Now that we have that settled, bro. Congrats! She’s a mighty fine catch.”
This was just like Hugh, and Urban guessed he deserved the punch. In fact, he was glad the anticipation of telling his brother was over. “I hope this doesn’t leave a bruise. Presley’s going to kill me if I ruin the pictures.” His jaw would be sore for a while.
“With a mug like yours, she should be worried that you don’t break the lens.” Hugh laughed. “I better head out. I have business to take care of.” He turned his gaze on Adira who was still staring. “Nice meeting you, Miss Miles. Welcome to Second Chances.”
“Would you mind giving us an interview while we’re here, Hugh?” Adira asked.
“Certainly, ma’am.” He started back to his truck and stopped, looking back. “By the way, you’re looking at Colton’s new sheriff.”
“Hell, man. That’s great,” Urban said.
With a proud smile, Hugh slid back into the truck.
Watching his brother drive away, Urban shook his head.
“Is that how you Jericho boys handle conflict?” Adira asked.
“You haven’t seen the least of it yet.”
“I have a feeling this is going to be an interesting few months.”
*****
“Will you ever forgive me?” Cheryl pleaded.
“I already have. Long ago.” Presley stood up from where she was examining the cow and removed one rubber glove and then the other, depositing them into the trash can. “I’m alive. It’s my fault for not teaching you how to handle the gun before I stuck it in your hands.”
The other woman slowly nodded and her shoulders lifted some. “It’ll never happen again. I promise.”
“That’s good. I’d appreciate that. In the meantime, can you make sure we have enough meds stocked up. I’ll be here all night, unless ole Daisy here gives birth sooner, which I’m not counting on.”
“Is she sick?”
“She has pregnancy toxemia. Because she has been so sick she stopped eating, therefore not getting the necessary nutrients for her or the baby. I’ll need to be here when the baby is born to make sure both mom and baby are healthy. It’s going to be a long one.” Staying up all night was part of the job and she’d done it enough over the years.
“I’ll also go out and grab dinner for you after I check the supplies. You need to eat something. Maybe you’ll get lucky and that handsome cowboy of yours will come and stay with you,” her friend teased. “Might be a little crowded though with the camera.”
Presley had been unwinding the water hose from the hook when she finally gathered what exactly Cheryl had said. “Camera?”
“Yeah. You didn’t know?”
“Well, I did, but they’re filming already?” Dropping the hose to the straw floor, she turned, hands on hips.
Cheryl crossed her arms. “I-I thought you knew. I saw Urban at the feed store this morning and some woman was with him, followed by a man carrying one of those big cameras. What I heard was they’ve been in town for a few days.”
Presley forced a smile to her lips, although she wasn’t feeling it much. She was completely out of the loop. She’d been so busy here at the clinic that she hadn’t seen hide nor hair of anyone outside of Cheryl, not even Urban. “You go ahead and check those supplies so you’re not here too late. You have studying to do for the exam. I want you to ace it.”
“Okay, honey. If you’re sure you don’t need me to stay.”
“I’m fine. Thank you though.”
Once alone, she tried to keep her mind off Urban, but she couldn’t seem to think of anything else. The sun started to go down and she busied herself watering the cow and making sure she had fresh hay when the sound of footsteps brought her chin up. Looking across the hay strewn floor to the open doorway, her gaze met pale blue eyes. Urban. Her heart hitched and she dropped the bucket.
He held up two white bags, smiling. “Here I am. Take out again.”
A lump grew in her throat. She hated that goosebumps scattered her flesh every time she saw him. “Why are you here?” Although the question came out in a drone tone, she was bubbling over in excitement. She’d missed him and, until now, she had no clue how much.
“I saw Cheryl at the diner and she told me you were working tonight. I thought you could use some company, and dinner.” He placed the bag on the workbench. He pulled off his poplin jacket and laid it on a bale of hay. He looked amazing in a tight fitting black T-shirt, and she admired his muscular biceps. faded jeans that were loose fitting, but not so loose to hide his thick thighs.
Presley felt like she was carrying a bale of hay on each shoulder as she walked toward him inside the dim interior of the stables. His smile ripped through her. “So, you think it’s wise to drag yourself away from the camera?” She lifted a brow.
Her anger didn’t touch his smile and it only teased her inner thighs more. “Someone beat me to the punch.”
“Yeah, someone did. Imagine that. Seems almost coincidental.” She wanted to tell him to get the hell out because she had work to do, but unfortunately, he was the best thing to happen to her today.
His expression was sincere. “You angry with me?”
“Yes.” It was then she noticed the purple-blue bruising on his cheek. “What happened?” She stepped closer to get a better look. “Did you get into a fist fight?”
“Something like that.” He scratched his temple. “It’s nothing. I’ve been hurt worse.”
“Who did this?”
“Hugh.”
“Hugh? Why?”
“I didn’t tell him face to face that you and I are getting married. It’s the brotherhood bond thing.”
“It seems you have that problem, Urban. Not communicating the important things.” She shook her head and went to check on the cow who was wasn’t eating.
“I didn’t expect the camera crew so soon. I planned to call you, but I got called away a case that has kept me busy.”
Presley snorted and crossed her arms over her chest. “A text message takes all of ten seconds.”
His smile was lost as he drawled, “Okay, I was wrong, but give me a break. A week ago, I wasn’t even thinking about marriage. I’m new at this.”
He did have a point, but she didn’t want to give in too quickly. “What’s in the bags?” She hadn’t eaten since breakfast and she was hungry.
“A cheeseburger and a brownie from Lanie’s.”
Her stomach growled and her mouth watered. Crossing her arms over her chest, she sighed, “Urban, do you realize what you’re getting yourself into?”
“By bringing you a brownie?”
“By marrying me? The camera crew being here in Colton was something you should have shared with me, being that it involves both of us.”
“You have a point and I should have called you immediately.”
“Just like telling Hugh. I’m not defending him, but you should have told him sooner,” she said firmly. “Hope that mark on your face is gone by the wedding.”
His lips played with a smile. “Anything else, sweetheart?”
“Thank you for dinner. I’ve been here with Daisy forever waiting on this baby to make its entrance.”
“I heard. I’m here to offer another pair of hands. Can’t say I’m a professional, but I’ve delivered my fair share of livestock.”
She found that she wanted his company more than his help.
Washing her hands in the utility sink, she took a seat on the workbench, reached into the first bag and took out the wrapped cheeseburger and cold bottle of tea. Munching, she was starting to feel more human. Urban was staring at her and she swiped a hand across her mouth. “Is something on my face?’
“Yeah.” He easily strolled to her and wiped his thumb across the corner of her lips. “You had a smudge of mustard on your mouth.”
Her laugh was nervous. Although her stomach was full, she was hungry for something different that didn’t include clothing. She dropped down off the bench, placing her burger on the wrapper, and wiped her hands down her dirty jeans. “I better check on Daisy.” But what she really wanted was to throw herself into his arms.