章節 20: Chapter 20
Elaine leaned forward, bracing her arms on the desk, all humor gone from her face. You listen to me, Killian Walker. Your daddy loved you boys, and he loved your mamas. Yes, it was an unusual situation, but he did right by all of you. The will was structured to give you a way to bond together. That was very important to him.
Killian just shook his head. This is a no-win conversation, Elaine, and I like you too much to get in a fight with you about it.
Then what about Lexie?
He drew his brows together. What about her?
Couldnt she be enough to convince you to hang around here?
He snapped the rubber band. You think Id make good husband material, Elaine? How long before Id be off cheating on her, and maybe with more than one woman?
She pinned him with her dark-brown eyes. First of all, Ill say again Dustys situation was unique. Second of all, if you were able to love a woman half as good as he did, try to be a father as hard as he did, Id say any womanespecially Lexiewould be tickled to have you.
You must be drinking some kind of crazy juice. He snorted. Im doing her a favor by leaving.
Elaine leaned back in her chair and held up her hands. Youre as hardheaded as your daddy was.
See? I told you I was just like him.
She rose, pushing back the chair. I give up. But youre passing up what could be the two best things in your life. Think about that. She paused on the way out of the office. Just make sure whatever you do, youre full honest with the girl. Id hate to see her get slammed twice.
Killians insides twisted into a knot. Twice? Whats that supposed to mean?
She flapped a hand at him. Not my story to tell. Just putting it out there for you.
He sat in his chair, staring at the wall, for several minutes after she was gone. What on earth had she meant? First Lou and Marliss, now Elaine mentioning something had happened to Lexie. Had someone hurt her? Badly? Was he about to do it again? That might be a good indication he was right about his genes and relationships with women. Maybe he should rethink going over there tonight, but he knew hed never be able to stay away from her. If his time here was almost up, he wanted this one last night with her. Hed make it totally memorable for her then explain why, under any circumstances, it couldnt work between them.
Forcing himself to tuck those thoughts into a corner of his mind, he turned on his computer, pulled up a blank document, and began writing his report on the trip to Georgia. Hed focus on work today then run home to shower and change and stop to get flowers for Lexie before he got to her apartment. At least his mama had taught him good manners.
His mama.
He owed her a phone call. Shed left text messages and voice messages on his cell, and he felt real guilty about not returning any of them. He realized now she must have loved Dusty very much to do what she did, bear him a son and be a part of his life, knowing he couldnt marry her. Maybe he should try looking at this from her point of view. He wasnt a child anymore, so he should try acting like an adult.
Damn!
He had so many fucked-up thoughts running around in his mind.
Okay, get to work. Sort the rest out later.
The day dragged interminably. He finally managed to get his report written to Walts and Elaines satisfaction, but it wasnt a labor of love. He had to admit, grudgingly, hed really enjoyed being in the field, seeing the leases, negotiating new ones. It took him back to the short trips hed taken with Dusty. He had to ruthlessly suppress the memory. He didnt want to enjoy any part of this business, not one tiny bit of it.
Then he tackled the new folders Elaine had set on his desk, with notes as to what she wanted him to absorb. He felt like he was back in school again, preparing for a test. He wanted to say the hell with Dusty and this fucked up situation and the damn business, but hed given his word to his brothers.
Brothers? He realized this was the first time he hadnt actually thought of them as half-brothers. What the hell was up with that? Maybe he was getting soft in the head.
Or maybe youre taking a second look at things?
At last, the day ended. He was glad hed brought a little travel bag with another change of clothes and toiletries. Dusty had built a private bathroom off his office, and today Killian was grateful for it. He took a long, hot shower, shaved carefully so hed minimize the whisker burn on Lexies delicate skin, and splashed on his aftershave. He pulled on clean clothes and his boots, and settled his Stetson on his head. Finally, to calm himself because he had no idea how this night would turn out, he grabbed his length of rope, curled it into a coil, and shoved it into his pocket. He might end up not using it the way he wanted to, but the feel of it would calm his nerves.
He was glad everyone had left by the time he was ready. He didnt feel like answering a bunch of questions tonight, especially since he had no answers, not even for himself. He thought about leaving the SUV in the office parking lot, but he wasnt sure how late hed be at Lexies, especially after he spilled his guts to her. And if he stayed all night, hed rather pull out of the space behind Heart Starter than do the walk of shame down the block to D. Walker Minerals. Anyway, he remembered hed thought about bringing her flowers.
The florist shop was only a couple of blocks away. He appreciated the fact the woman who waited on him didnt make any comments, although she had a knowing smile the whole time she put his bouquet together.
I hope these do the trick, she said, when she took his money. Whoever she is.
Yeah, Killian thought, like you dont know. When he bailed on Lexie, the town would probably get out a mob to lynch him. Good thing he didnt plan to stay here permanently.
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