Under the Gun, page 17
part #5 of The Blackmore Agency Series
“Let’s go get coffee, boys,” said Blaine. “It’s morning, and I think I’m supposed to be somewhere.”
Jack pulled out of the Starbucks’ drive through and came up with it. “Eight o’clock therapy, boss, with the new looker.”
“Fuck. I smell like smoke and sweat.”
“Don’t matter. It’s five after eight. You’ve got to burn your ass to make it.” Jack flipped on the lights and siren and flew through the red light at the corner.
Blaine grabbed the safety bar. “Fuck, Jack. It ain’t that important.”
“Sure as hell is. You’re in lust with her.”
“Shut up.”
Greg snorted in the back seat.
Jack pulled up to the front step of the physio building with the siren wailing and let Blaine out. He hustled inside feeling like Pigpen from Peanuts with smoke instead of dirt swirling around him in a cloud.
The receptionist glanced up and pointed. “Miss McLean is waiting for you, Mr. Blackmore.”
Fuck. I am late.
“Sorry,” he said as he headed for the dressing room to rip his clothes off. “Something came up.”
“I saw you on the breakfast news. One of the gangs set a fire.”
“I smell like smoke and that might not be all.” He tore across the room in his boxers and flopped onto the table.
“It’s okay. Relax, Blaine. If I’m going to call you Blaine, you better call me Carson. Then we’ll be even.”
“Okay.” Blaine let out the breath he was holding and tried to let go some of the stress as he felt her cool hands on his leg.
“Stressful morning wasn’t it?”
“Yep.”
“And your energy is down. No time for breakfast?”
“Coffee in the truck.”
“Not enough for all the stress you’re under. Try harder.”
“I will.”
When the therapy was finished, and he was dressed, he asked his question. “I want to take you to dinner. Is that allowed?”
The green eyes widened. “We barely know each other, and I never date patients.”
“Never?”
“Never. My policy, and I stick to it. It’s a bad idea. Causes problems.”
Blaine leaned forward over her desk. “Let’s say it was a special occasion and being the forward prick that I am, I already told the host I was bringing you.”
“What? Why would you do that without asking me?”
“I can’t explain it, other than to say, the attraction is overwhelming. I need to know you on a personal level and I’m not giving up with a flat no.”
“Well, let’s see if we can sort this out. I am attracted to you, Blaine. Your bad-boy image—tats and long hair—bullet holes, smoky aroma and all. New for me, I’ve always dated preppy guys. Clean, neat and predictable.”
Blaine nodded. “I make an effort at being clean, but it doesn’t last. Never neat. Keep going.”
“You’re a little young for me. I usually date guys at least four or five years older than me.”
“I don’t care how old you are,” said Blaine. “It’s a number. My mother is only fifteen years older than me and it doesn’t matter. We connect on every level. Relationships are about chemistry.”
“Your mother? Oh, my God, now we’re talking about Mrs. Powell, are we not?”
“Yep.”
The green eyes flashed. “And this special occasion we’re talking about, will your mother be there?”
“She will. It’s her birthday.”
Carson’s hand went to her throat. “I feel a little warm.”
Blaine grinned. “You look fantastic, warm or cool.”
She checked her watch. “I’ve got to move on to my next patient.”
“Why don’t I call you later?”
“I never give out my cell number,” she said as she scribbled it on a post-it.
“Therapy is the new favorite part of my day.”
She winked at him. “There’s ash in your hair.”
FARRELL SAT IN the guest chair of his hospital room, dressed and ready to go. Stiff and sore and testy because he couldn’t work, he wasn’t smiling when Annie and Neil came to pick him up.
Annie leaned down and gently hugged him. “Ready, baby?”
Farrell nodded and pointed to the bag at his feet.
“I’ll get that,” said Neil. “So happy you’re coming to the ranch, bro. Missed you a lot.”
“I miss the ranch and all the people who live there,” said Farrell. “Guess it’s part of growing up.”
“I talked to Declan in Ireland this morning,” said Annie. “His mother died and he’s clearing up a few things for his family. He won’t be back for two more weeks.”
“I don’t need a caregiver, Mom. The hospital arranged for a lady to come and change the bandages. That’s all I need.”
The nurse rolled a wheelchair into the room and pointed.
“Do I have to?”
She smiled. “You do, Mr. Donovan. Hospital policy.”
“I could push that bad boy, bro, and give you a ride to remember,” said Neil.
“I’ll handle it,” said the nurse.
“Yes, Ma’am,” said Neil and gave her a little salute.
Annie grinned at her boys.
BLAINE AND the junkers headed home for showers and breakfast after the therapy session. They’d started the day with neither and were feeling the need.
“I saw the fire on the news,” said Lily, “and figured that’s where you were. Did you eat?”
“Nope,” said Jack, “got any breakfast left?”
“I can whip up bacon and eggs,” said Rick, “No sweat.”
Jack grinned at him. “The new Rick. Did they teach cooking at the farm? I forget.”
“You all look sooty and sweaty,” said Rick, standing by the stove in a white apron and grinning because it wasn’t him. “By the time y’all shower, I’ll have this job done.”
Feeling a lot more put together after breakfast, Blaine sat on the front porch and called Jesse. “We need some face time, partner. Two or three things need discussion.”
“Okeydokey. I’m leaving soon for service on the Rover and a couple of adjustments at the dealership in Dallas. Why don’t I pick you up? We can talk on the way and have lunch up there in the big city.”
“It’s out of your way to come get me, when you could go straight up seventy-seven.”
“Don’t matter, but if you want to drive over, I still have to get Charity ready. You’ll be here by then.”
“Leaving now. Happy to be driving by myself again.”
BLAINE PARKED inside the Quantrall compound and jumped into the front seat of the Range Rover. Charity sat in her car seat in the back with a trayful of toys in front of her.
Blaine twisted around so he could see her. “Hi, baby. Wow, you’re a lot bigger than the last time I saw you.”
“She’ll be a year old in October. Ty wants to have a big party.”
“Sure, go for it, if it makes Tyler happy.”
Jesse chuckled. “Ty always has her. I can be working in the office, come out and she’s gone. Gone to the barn and getting filthy. She loves the dogs, the barn cats and the horses. She has a special toy box at the barn, Ty made her.”
They headed up the highway and Charity dozed off in her seat. “Did you want to talk about the Travis thing?” asked Jesse. “I thought we decided to let that settle for a couple of days.”
“Yeah, we did, and I’m fine with that. There are other questions I have, and I needed some private time.”
“Okay, shoot.”
“This first one goes back a way. When you researched my parents for Annie before my adoption, can you remember the name of the lawyer you spoke to?”
“Sure. Nice guy, and he remembered your case. What was his name. Nice office in downtown Abilene. Park, Drummond, that was it. I think Mr. Park, the senior partner, was your parents’ attorney.”
“Good memory, Jesse.” Blaine jotted the name in his notebook. “I’m thinking of spending a couple days in Abilene when I get a chance and dig into my family at bit more.”
“You should. Not knowing hangs over you like a fuckin cloud. Do it. You’ll either find something you’re looking for, or there will be nothing for you to find. But you have to know either way to have any peace.”
Blaine nodded, “Yep, I’m going to do it.”
“Another half hour and we’ll be there.” Jesse glanced in the rearview at his daughter. “She sleeps in the truck. Always.”
“Can I ask you a personal question?” asked Blaine.
“Course, you can. You’re like my own son, Blacky. What do you want to know?”
“This birthday that you’re having for Annie, is it just a friend thing or an effort to do something more?”
Jesse turned his head and grinned at Blaine across the console. “It’s an effort. Brian won’t be happy, and it will put a little stress on me, but I love her too much not to see her at all. Can’t stand it. Day after day with no texting and no talking. We’ve always done that even when we were fighting.”
“I was wondering what you were up to. None of my business, but I want you together, for always.”
“Let’s say I’m testing the waters with a birthday dinner. See what happens.”
“You go, Jesse, and good luck. I’m a hundred percent behind you.”
ARLO MAZNIK greeted them at the dealership and offered to buy them lunch while the Rover was being serviced.
“We can walk across the road to Ruby Tuesdays. They have decent lunch specials and a dandy salad bar.”
“As long as they have a highchair,” said Jesse.
Blaine held out his arms. “Let me carry her across the street. She’s heavy for you, Jesse. And you’re not supposed to lift.”
“Not supposed to, but when you have a baby, it’s hard not to.”
They returned after lunch, and while Arlo went to check on Jesse’s vehicle, Blaine and Jesse strolled through the Jaguars on display.
“Love this one,” said Blaine. He slid behind the wheel of a black convertible with the top down.
“Would you ever drive it?”
“Maybe not. I thought of getting a car for Carm to take to the grocery store.”
Jesse raised a brow. “I didn’t know she could drive.”
“Never seen her drive, but she’s never had a car. I should ask her.”
Jesse chuckled. “Find out that detail before you buy her a Jag.”
“This would be too small anyway for the bushels of produce that she buys. She’d need a Rover like you have. She needs a hatch in the back.”
Arlo returned and told them Jesse was all set to go.
LILY STOOD on the front lawn of the house next door chatting to a rough looking guy in dirty coveralls. His truck parked in the drive read ‘Don’s Demo.’ The uneven lettering looked hand painted, possibly with a brush.
Blaine parked in his own driveway and stepped out of his cool truck into the hottest part of the day. He walked across the grass and stood next to Lily. “Hi, are you Don?”
He hooked a thumb over his shoulder at his truck. “That’s me. This your house?”
“It is. I’m looking for an estimate on tearing it down.”
“That there is one huge mother of a house—three storey Victorian. Gonna take a lot of manpower, and it’s gonna cost y’all an arm and a fuckin leg to get ‘er gone.”
“Just work out the estimate,” said Blaine, “I’m planning on getting two more bids, then I’ll compare them and see who gets the job.”
“You’re one of those guys, eh? Son of a bitch that goes for the lowest price and starves out the little guy.”
You’re an asshole, Don.
“I don’t always take the lowest price. I find out who is going to do the best job and go with that company.”
“Good luck with that.”
Blaine smiled and winked at Lil. “Thanks.”
Don left, and Blaine walked Lily back to the house. “Start over, I’m taking Don out of the running.”
Lilly giggled. “Me too. What a jerk.”
Lily went inside where it was cool, and Blaine sank down on the porch steps to call Carson. He checked the time. Most of the day had been spent with Jesse in Dallas and it was almost dinnertime.
He programmed her number into his phone and she answered on the second ring.
“I didn’t recognize your number at first,” she said, sounding a little out of breath.
“Were you running?”
“Doing a few sprints.”
“Jeeze. Can you take time for dinner?”
“When, now?”
“I’m hungry now. I’ve been busy all day and I want a beer and some food.”
“I’m not dressed up, so it will have to be casual.”
Blaine laughed. “You’re kidding me. You’ve seen what I wear every day. It doesn’t get any better.”
“Okay, then. I’m dressed appropriately.”
“Where are you?”
“Still here. Downtown. Using my own space after hours for some exercise. It’s too hot to run by the lake. Tell me where to meet you.”
“Go over to the Capital Grille. I’ll be there shortly.”
“Uh huh.”
“Not much enthusiasm in your voice. Sounds like it’s not a favorite. Pick something else, if you want.”
“No marker. I’ve never been there. I thought the clientele were lawyers and political people.”
“I’m a lawyer. You’ll be safe.”
“Liar. I’ll mention your name,” she said with a giggle, “and maybe they’ll let me in.”
I am a lawyer and I’m not a liar.
“Do it. I’m leaving now.”
BLAINE ENTERED the Grille and the hostess smiled at him. “There’s a lovely lady waiting for you at your usual table, Mr. Blackmore. I’ll show you.”
“I was hoping to get here ahead of her.” He crossed the room and sat down opposite Carson. “I didn’t think I’d take that long. Traffic. Did you order a drink?”
“I waited.”
“You look amazing. You have a glow about you, and that pale green dress with your eyes… uh huh.” He stared without meaning to.
“Thanks. You said your day was busy?”
“My partner and I drove up to Dallas on business.”
“Uh huh. On my way over here, I wondered what kind of chitchat I’d be able to come up with to talk to a celebrity super cop.”
“I wish people wouldn’t say that. It creeps me out.”
“Oh, sorry. I thought it was like a title. Like Sir Galahad or one of those.”
She’s messing with me.
He held up a hand. “Stop and tell me what you want to drink.”
“I’ll have a black cherry cooler,” Carson said to the server who magically appeared at the end of the table.
“Corona,” said Blaine.
Carson nodded.
“What, because I’m Latino it’s a foregone conclusion that I drink Corona?”
“Of course, or Petron.”
He stared across the table and the green eyes pulled him in again. “You are intelligent and have a great sense of humor. I don’t enjoy coaxing a thought out of a female head.”
“Noted.”
“Time is too short for games.” He picked up the menu. “At least my time is.”
“Noted.” She mimed scribbling on her napkin.
She’s fun. Exactly what I need.
Blaine stared at the choices. “What’s your fancy?”
“You are,” she whispered.
He reached across the table, picked up her hand and kissed it. “Bueno.”
The server returned with a tray laden with the drinks they had ordered plus a bottle of wine and two wine glasses. She set everything down and said, “Doctor Rodriguez sent the wine with her compliments.”
Blaine turned his head and didn’t see her. “Where is she?”
“In a private dining room, sir, in a meeting.”
Blaine tipped the server. “Convey my thanks, would you?”
“Yes, sir, I will.”
Carson’s green eyes were wide. “Doctor Rodriguez, the next governor of Texas?”
Blaine nodded. “We’re… discussing a working relationship, when she assumes power.”
“Cool.” Carson took a sip of her cooler. “This stuff is so far over my head, all I can say is I’ll have another cooler.”
Blaine broke out laughing.
“I want to ask a couple of questions about the dinner for your mother. Is it formal or at some fancy place? I need details, so I know how to dress.”
“Nothing like that. My partner, Jesse Quantrall is my mother’s ex-husband, and he’s hosting. He wants them to get back together, but she doesn’t know it yet.”
“Quantrall Oil?”
Blaine shrugged. “Don’t think about it. Just a table in Jesse’s dining room, that’s all it will be. His baby will be sitting in her highchair throwing food probably.”
“He has a baby?”
“Charity. I don’t want to overload you with details. All you need to know is this—it’s dinner at a horse ranch and nobody will be dressed up.”
The meal was served, and Blaine cut a piece of his steak.
Carson fiddled with her salad. “How many people will be there?”
“Let’s see.” Blaine counted on his fingers. “Jesse and his four brothers, Wendy, two babies, you and me, Mom, Farrell, Mary, Neil, Jacks and Luce, oh, and Carm.”
“Seventeen people?”
“Four of those are little kids. So, eleven plus us.”
“I can handle it.”
“I knew you could.”
THE EVENING was warm and sultry as they stepped out of the restaurant. Blaine reached for Carson’s hand and led her down the steps and in the opposite direction of the parking lot.
“Where are we going?”
“There’s a jewelry store I like down the block and I want to get Annie something.”
“Do you call your mother by her first name?”
“Sometimes. How about you?”
“Nope. Never.”
“In here. I’m happy they’re still open.”
They walked past glistening glass counters full of sparkling gems. “What did you have in mind?”
“When I was a kid, the first thing I ever gave her was a ruby necklace for her birthday. I was only fifteen and had about ten bucks that I won at poker, but she wore it every day because I bought it for her.”
