Alone with You Page 9

  “No, but I’m willing to give it a try.”

  “Not with Betsy you won’t. I don’t let just anyone tow her, much less a rookie.”

  Lexy hated being held hostage. Short on money and clout, that’s exactly how she felt. “You should be jumping at the chance I could demolish that old tin can. My insurance would hand you a fat check.”

  “That’s the trouble with you rich people. You think money fixes everything.” Something apparently had caught his eye. He slowed the truck, craning his neck as they passed a string of storefronts.

  “I choose to take the high ground and ignore what you just said.” She turned in her seat to follow his gaze, although she had no idea what he was looking at. “How would you like it if I made a sweeping generalization about cowboys?”

  “So much for taking the high ground.” He made a sharp right turn that had her clutching the armrest.

  “You’re going to make me carsick.”

  “Don’t mess up my upholstery.”

  “Ah, your concern is touching,” she said, relieved that he coasted to the stop sign. She hadn’t lied. Motion sickness had been a problem since she was a kid. He made another right but less jerky. “Are we circling?”

  “I have to check out something.”

  “What?”

  “It’ll only take a minute.” Driving at a snail’s pace, he squinted at a sixties-style, rusting blue van parked in front of a bar called Flying High. His gaze swept the sidewalk, then returned to the van.

  “Someone you know?”

  “Maybe.”

  Judging by the firm set of his mouth, Tanner didn’t like whoever owned the vehicle. After a final look out of the side mirror he picked up speed. His pensive mood made her more curious, but she left him to his thoughts while she checked out the shops with their Western-themed window displays and colorful banners welcoming guests to the annual festival.

  Someone had gone overboard with signs, offering everything from pony rides to shooting competitions. There were pie-eating contests and games she’d never heard of, and the local 4H Club would be auctioning cows and pigs the kids had raised for their projects. And of course the rodeo, the centerpiece of the four-day celebration.

  In minutes they made it to the other side of town, where Lexy spotted the trailer park. It was ridiculously crowded. Maybe she’d get lucky and find that Tanner had been bluffing about reserving a space. He sure wouldn’t get one now.

  “Is this it?” she asked, watching him survey the rows of trailers and motor coaches.

  He didn’t seem concerned. “Yep, and there’s the motel.”

  The one-story pink building across the street was a complete eyesore. On the upside, the room rate had to be rock-bottom. Just like her finances.

  “I know it’s not much, but I can guarantee you it’s clean.”

  “Ever stay there?”

  “Nope. Betsy goes with me everywhere I go.”

  “Of course she does,” Lexy muttered. If they’d flown to Houston yesterday, he would now be someone else’s problem and she’d be back home. Mission accomplished in record time.

  “No need for sarcasm,” he said, grinning at her. “Though I understand why you might be a little jealous.”

  She rolled her eyes and stared bleakly at the pink building. In front of each room was a parking stall and every one was taken. No vacancy would be fine with her. She’d rather sleep on his couch and not have to worry her credit card would be declined.

  Tanner pulled the truck along the curb in front of the office. “I’ll let you off here so you can check in while I get squared away across the street.”

  “Are you that sure you have a spot?”

  “Positive.”

  Hesitating, she rested her hand on the door handle. “The motel looks full. I may be out of luck.”

  “Won’t know till you try.”

  “Right,” she murmured. “What if— Never mind.”

  “Well now, Alexis.” He slid an arm along the seat behind her shoulders and leaned close enough to kiss her. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you wanted an invitation to share my bed.”

  “In your dreams.” She opened the door and hopped out. He was still grinning when she hurried to the office.

  A balding man sat behind the counter, chuckling at something on a small TV. He reluctantly glanced up at the sound of the overhead bell triggered by the door. A woman wearing a green muumuu emerged from a back room, and his attention returned to the screen.

  “Oh, no, Henry, don’t trouble yourself none,” she said with a long-suffering roll of her eyes, which he completely disregarded.

  “You looking for a room?” She sized Lexy up, starting with her gold hoop earrings and then leaning over the counter to look at her jeans and bronze leather sandals.

  “Yes,” Lexy said, taken aback by the woman’s lack of manners. “I don’t have a reservation and I realize it’s last minute—”

  “No problem. Got a man with you?”

  “Pardon me?”

  The woman squinted out the window. “You here alone or have you got company?”

  “I’m alone.”

  “I had to ask. We charge more for double occupancy.”

  “So you do have a room...” Suppressing her disappointment, she got out her wallet.

  “We weren’t sure we’d rent it since Henry is still working on the plumbing problem. But you seem like a nice young woman and it wouldn’t be right turning you away.” She grinned, and Lexy tried her best to ignore the red lipstick smear on her teeth.

  “Plumbing problem?”

  “The sink’s hot water faucet is kinda hit and miss, if you know what I mean.” Her gaze went to the gold card Lexy laid on the counter. “Honey, we don’t take that one. The percentage that company charges us poor small business owners is akin to highway robbery.”

  Her husband looked over, straining to see the card. “Them people are crooks.”

  “We take that one there,” the woman said, pointing to the VISA in Lexy’s open wallet.

  The account was too close to its credit limit for Lexy’s peace of mind. “This is my company card, and since I’m here on business,” she said, sliding the gold card back toward the woman, “I really need to use this one. How about you tack on, say, ten percent—” She smiled. The room couldn’t be more than forty dollars. An extra four wouldn’t break her since she had a hundred dollars to spare.

  “Nope.” She folded her thick arms. “Comes a time in a person’s life when they gotta be willing to stand on principle.”

  “I don’t suppose that could come at another time?” Lexy asked, her hopes crumbling under the woman’s glare. “Right.” She cleared her throat and pulled out the VISA. Maybe...just maybe, she’d be able to squeeze in another small charge. “How much is it for a night?”

  “One hundred and fifty dollars.”

  8

  LEXY’S BREATH CAUGHT. “Would you repeat that, please?”

  The woman had already picked up the VISA. “I know we could get more during a busy week like this, but we aren’t greedy people. Right, Henry?”

  “That’s right, Vivian.”

  “Wait,” Lexy said, stopping the woman from processing the card. It wouldn’t be approved at that amount. “You’re serious. You’re asking for a hundred and fifty dollars for a room here...with plumbing problems.”

  Vivian shrugged. “Otherwise it would’ve been a hundred and seventy-five.”

  “Don’t forget to add the tax,” Henry said without turning from the TV.

  Lexy stared in horror as the woman poised the card to be swiped. “No, don’t—” It was too late. Vivian had run the VISA through the system.

  With nothing to do but wait, embarrassment burning in her cheeks, Lexy watched the w
oman’s expression darken as she read the small screen on the processing device.

  “Your card’s been declined.”

  “I know,” Lexy said, putting out her hand. “My account isn’t past due, just close to my credit limit.” Why had she felt compelled to explain? Henry and Vivian had some nerve accusing anyone of robbery. A hundred and fifty for one of their rooms? It was absurd. “My card, please.”

  “No can do. The company wants me to confiscate it.”

  “That’s not possible.”

  “Says it right here. Look for yourself.” She swiveled the device around for Lexy to see.

  “Oh, great. Just great. Look, I’m begging you. Try this other card. Add a twenty—” She stopped. A two-hundred-dollar charge would push her over the limit. “How about if I give you my watch for collateral? Tomorrow I’ll have cash wired to your bank.”

  She hadn’t wanted to involve Norma, but at this point she was desperate. Lexy pulled off the gold Rolex and offered it to Vivian, who took it with suspicious reluctance.

  “I gotta admit,” she said, turning it over. “It’s a good knockoff. Better than the one I almost bought in Vegas.”

  Lexy sighed. “It’s not a knockoff. Look.” She indicated the trademark crown located on the clasp, right where it was supposed to be.

  Henry got up and walked over to them. “I’ll handle this,” he told Vivian. “I’m sure you have something else to do.”

  The woman frowned. They exchanged a look, then she disappeared into the back room.

  He held the watch in his palm as if gauging its weight, then brought it up for a closer inspection.

  Lexy was starting to regret the offer. She’d only meant for them to keep it until Norma wired money. But what if they refused to return it? Naturally, she’d ask for a receipt, but this was a small town. They probably knew everyone here, including law enforcement, and she’d be out of luck trying to get the watch back. That would be awful. Unbearable. She’d be better off asking Tanner to let her sleep in his trailer.

  He’d give her untold grief, delight in accusing her of wanting to get in his jeans. God. She could hear it all now. He’d tease her mercilessly. But she could swallow whatever he dished out. Better than losing the watch Gramms had given her a week before she’d passed away. Lexy had been forced to pawn it once before and it made her sick. She’d ended up reclaiming it early, which had set her even further back financially.

  Dammit, she needed to be back in her father’s good graces more than she needed her pride. Tanner could do his worst...so what. Though there was another solution. She’d have to lie her butt off, but only to Tanner, and somehow that didn’t seem to count as much in her mind. All she had to do was tell him she’d lost her credit cards at one of the stops they’d made. He’d either offer her a loan or his couch. Simple. She should’ve thought of it earlier.

  “It’s okay,” Lexy said. “I don’t need a room after all.” Let them find another poor sucker willing to overlook their price gouging. She put out her hand. “I’ll have my watch back, please.”

  Vivian returned from the back room and exchanged another enigmatic look with her husband.

  “My watch?” Lexy repeated, growing apprehensive when they ignored her outstretched hand. “I want my damn watch.”

  “No need to cuss,” Vivian said. “Or we’ll be forced to call the sheriff.”

  “Sounds like a great idea to me.”

  Behind her she heard the door open. Male laughter drowned out the overhead bell. She turned slightly, dismayed to find Tanner entering the office...talking to a man wearing a tan sheriff’s uniform.

  “Am I glad to see you, Craig,” Vivian said, her pitch dialed up to melodramatic. “This is the woman I called you about.”

  “Lexy?” Tanner frowned. “What’s going on?”

  She froze, unable to think fast enough. Much as she didn’t want him privy to her awkward situation, she needed him on her side.

  “Thought you said you didn’t have a man.” Vivian snorted. “Lied about that, too, I see.”

  “I didn’t lie. Tanner isn’t with me. I mean, he is, but not that way.”

  “Tanner?” Henry narrowed his gaze. “Will Tanner?”

  “Yep.” He glanced at the older man, then quickly brought his confused gaze back to Lexy.

  “Hold it, Pop,” the sheriff said, putting up a hand to Henry. “One thing at a time.”

  Perfect. Just perfect. Henry was the sheriff’s father.

  “I saw you ride in Colorado Springs several years back,” Henry said, ignoring his son. “Shoulda seen all those dropped jaws when you stayed on four extra seconds. You were really something in your day.”

  Tanner flinched.

  Lexy doubted anyone else had noticed the slight jerk or the light that seemed to die in his eyes. Her thoughts shot back to the conversation with Matt that she’d overheard. Stepping aside for younger, more skilled riders had to be rough, even worse because it was so wretchedly public.

  Henry came around the counter. “Sure would like to shake your hand, son.”

  Tanner handled the situation with grace but the tightness around his mouth tugged at Lexy’s heart. “Craig said you were a rodeo fan. I pass through now and again and meant to stop in.”

  “No worries. Me and the missus have been doing some traveling while we can still get around.” Henry glanced at his wife, then at Lexy. “So you know her.”

  “I do.” Tanner met her eyes, his mouth curving in a faint smile. “She been giving you trouble?”

  Glaring, she jabbed a forefinger at him. “Don’t start. I’m not in the mood.”

  The sheriff laughed. “Can I get back to work without you making any more nuisance calls?” he asked, his query directed at Vivian.

  She sniffed. “I wish you were more like your brother. Kevin wouldn’t think of sassing me.”

  Lexy tensed. Why did parents do that comparison crap?

  Craig heaved a tired sigh, then touched the brim of his tan Stetson. “Sorry for the misunderstanding, ma’am,” he said to Lexy. “Hope you enjoy the festival.”

  She smiled, not bothering to correct him. They weren’t here for fun and if she could convince Tanner to get back on the road, she would. Right now, though, all she wanted was for her watch to be returned.

  As if reading her mind, the sheriff nodded to Vivian. “Give her the watch.”

  She started to pass it over, then made a final inspection. “This look real to you?”

  “Mom.”

  “All right.” Vivian dropped the watch in Lexy’s hand. “You still need the room?”

  Lexy blinked, then glanced at Tanner. “Do I?” At any other time his shocked expression would’ve made her laugh. “I’m asking if we’re staying in town overnight.”

  “Ah.” He gave her a crooked grin. “Yep, we are.”

  The sheriff stopped at the door. “I’m on duty until nine but I’ll likely run into you later.”

  Tanner nodded. “Any chance you’ve seen J.D.?”

  “He’s not here. You probably saw his van, though.”

  “What?” Disdain altered Tanner’s features. “He finally lose it at poker?”

  “Not from what I heard. He won a Caddy off some fella who ran out of money. Been on a winning streak for over a week now.” Craig’s radio crackled and he bent his ear toward it. “Gotta go,” he said. “See you later.”

  “We still haven’t settled on how you’re paying for the room,” Vivian said, her tone snippy.

  God, Lexy hated this. The story she’d concocted about losing her cards wouldn’t work anymore. “What if Tanner vouches for me?”

  Vivian’s sigh ended with a nod.

  “Remember that year you rode in Fort Worth and it was televised...” Henry had latched on to Tanner again, even thou
gh it was obvious he seemed distracted.

  Lexy wanted to be done with this humiliating situation then left alone to lick her wounds. Before she could say anything, Tanner dug out a wad of cash from his jeans’ pocket and peeled off a pair of hundred-dollar bills.

  Henry returned one of them, plus a couple twenties. Apparently, he wasn’t willing to gouge his rodeo hero. Then the man continued talking nonstop until she and Tanner were out the door.

  “Thanks,” Lexy murmured, fisting the key to room 112 and keeping her head down until they were outside. Her face was still warm from embarrassment, and it wasn’t over. She couldn’t imagine what he was thinking. “I’ll pay you back tomorrow. The day after at the latest.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” he said absently. “Your bag is in the truck. We should get it before you go to your room.”

  She hesitated, then nodded. As much as she wanted to disappear, she doubted she’d feel any better later.

  He wasn’t in a chatty mood and that was fine with her. They crossed the busy street to the trailer park, stopped several times by people who recognized Tanner. He was pleasant to everyone, and while she was ready to scream, the interruptions seemed to pull him out of his preoccupation.

  The trailer was parked under the shade of a huge aspen, but not the truck. An unseasonably hot sun beat down on the cab, and she really hoped her makeup hadn’t completely melted by now.

  Tanner used the remote to unlock the door and pulled it open. He started to reach inside for the bag, then backed up, empty-handed, and frowned at her. “What happened back there? You can’t be traveling without a credit card or money.”

  Lexy sighed. “They wouldn’t take my corporate card because they won’t do business with that company. Then there was a mix-up with my VISA. And I didn’t bring enough cash with me. Stupid, I know.”

  A lazy smirk lifted the corners of his mouth. And then he really annoyed her by not saying anything. Not a word. Did he know she was lying?

  “I’ll pay you back,” she said when he reached inside for her bag. Her gaze fell to his backside. The worn denim molded him perfectly.

  “Damn right you’ll pay me back,” he said, bringing out her bag and closing the door. “With all the money your company makes...”