Chapter Three

      Tague thumbed through the newsmagazine for about twenty seconds before dropping it back to the waiting room table. It was his first time in a pediatrician’s office since he’d been a kid himself and he felt as out of place as a wasp in a beehive.

      He was the only person in the room not accompanied by a kid or two. One woman was corralling three, none of whom appeared to be old enough to go to school.

      Tague had nothing against kids, but the idea of being outnumbered by them three to one was a little frightening. They seemed more work than a herd of cattle, and they definitely required more supervision.

      It had to be tough raising one on your own the way Alexis was doing. Already married and divorced though Tague figured she was likely no older than his twenty-six years.

      The woman was definitely intriguing. She was feisty enough to try to fight off an armed thug and then commandeer Tague into action to go after her son. But she was ready to run from a cop just trying to help.

      What really had him going was that she looked so hauntingly familiar. Yet he was pretty sure he hadn’t run into her before.

      He couldn’t help noticing her great figure and stunning legs that did terrific things for her white shorts. Straight, blond, silky hair that cupped her chin and fell to her shoulders. Enticing lips.

      But it was the eyes that really mesmerized him. Sort of a blue-violet color tucked in between thick, dark lashes. Sometimes fiery. Sometimes shadowed and troubled. Always hypnotic. She was not the kind of woman a red-blooded male would forget meeting.

      And the druggie who’d stolen her purse had her ID and her home address. Neither Whitfield nor Alexis had mentioned the danger that could entail, but both had to be aware of it.

      Even if the detective who’d be calling on her later today brought it up, he’d only warn her to be careful and keep her doors locked. She’d be on her own if the thug decided to show up for a return engagement.

      Or maybe she wouldn’t be alone. She could have a jock live-in who could make the thug wish he’d kept running. But if there was a man on demand, Alexis hadn’t mentioned him nor called him—at least not on Tague’s phone.

      That still didn’t make Tague responsible for her safety. After all, it was only a bizarre act of fate that had thrown them together. The only reason he’d been on that street at all was a detour prompted by a street repair crew.

      Tague had come into town this morning to pick up a saddle from the best saddle maker in Texas. Not for himself, but for his brother Damien who’d had it made as a surprise for his new wife. He wanted it to be in the tack room waiting on Emma when they returned from their honeymoon.

      It was midafternoon now and Tague was yet to pick up the saddle. Alexis had insisted he didn’t have to wait for her at the doctor’s office. But what kind of jerk would leave a woman and a kid stranded after the morning they’d been through?

      Still, he was rotten at sitting and doing nothing. He stood and left the waiting room, choosing instead to pace the wide hallway of the three-story medical complex. Even that felt confining.

      He took out his phone and called Cork. With his brother Damien on his honeymoon, he relied on his head wrangler more than ever.

      “How’s it going?” he asked when Cork finally answered.

      “Busy. Just finished moving the cattle scheduled for their injections into the holding pens. And one of the horses is acting colicky. Don’t know what brought it on. There’s been no change in the feed.”

      “Which horse?”

      “King.”

      Damien’s personal horse. “Keep an eye on King. Administer the usual treatment, but don’t hesitate to call Doctor Benson if you think it’s necessary.”

      “Will do,” Cork said. “Are you heading back this way yet?”

      “No, I decided last minute to take care of some other business while I’m in town. I’m not sure what time I’ll get back to the Bent Pine,” Tague said. “I could be late so tell Mother not to wait dinner on me.”

      “I’ll let her know.”

      “If anything comes up, you can always reach me on my cell,” Tague added.

      “Gotcha.”

      While he had the phone out, he made a quick call to Harry Rucker and let him know that he might not make it to his shop to pick up the saddle today.

      It was forty-five minutes of pacing later when Alexis came swinging out the door.

      “Me got a sucker,” Tommy said, holding up a bright red lollipop before poking it between his lips.

      Alexis’s brows arched. “You’re still here.”

      “I told you I’d wait,” he said.

      “I know, but I thought you might reconsider and decide you’d wasted enough time on me.”

      “I wanted to make sure the boy is okay.”

      “Really? You stayed for Tommy?” Her expression registered surprise and a hint of pleasure. “I appreciate that.”

      “So where is my lollipop?” Tague asked.

      “Sorry. You have to get examined to earn one of those.”

      “Maybe we can work on that later?”

      Her cheeks reddened.

      “Once again, only teasing,” Tague said. “I’m just here to taxi you home.” He opened the door and they walked out of the waiting room together, Tommy sucking for all he was worth and holding fast to his mother’s hand.

      Once Tommy was safely buckled into the backseat, Alexis climbed into the front seat with Tague.

      Tague started the engine. “I’ll need directions.”

      “Take a left when you leave the parking lot, then a right at the second light. My apartment complex is two miles down on the right. It takes up two blocks. You can’t miss it.”

      “That would have been a long walk in this heat.”

      “Ten steps is a long walk in this heat. I’m sure I would have opted for a taxi. I have cash at home that I could have paid him with.”

      “Did the doctor give Tommy a good report?”

      “He said he’ll have some bruising where the safety belt dug into his shoulder and on at least one of his legs. The flesh is already turning purple. But Dr. Pendleton detected no signs of internal injuries or sprains.”

      “That’s great and incredible, especially seeing the condition of your Honda.”

      “I know. I hate to even think about how close we skirted tragedy.”