Lawless (Cowboys on the Edge Book 5) Read online

  “Here. You’ll wear this.” She tossed him a dark blue T-shirt with the Ruby’s Roadhouse logo across the chest.

  He glanced back at her.

  “Go ahead. Put it on.”

  As he drew his bike club tee over his head, he heard a swift intake of breath. It took all he had not to smile when he pulled it downward and tucked it in. Then he glanced at her again and noted that her ample chest was rising and falling quicker than it had been.

  She gestured toward the door, and he realized he’d been staring at her a little too long. Feeling heat creep up his neck, he turned and nearly ran down the steps.

  Back at the booth, Ruby busied herself stirring chili in a large container that looked like something used in a military chow line. He thrust his hands in his pockets and moved his gaze away toward the groupings of campers and the stage that was being constructed for a live concert that night. In the distance, he watched as a large RV with a red cross and “Bloodmobile” stenciled on the side parked at the edge of the campground.

  Bikers stood and ambled toward it. Today’s activities weren’t just about partying with people who loved their bikes and the open road as much he did. The Red Cross and several local charities were represented. A percentage of the take from the gate was going to a kids with cancer charity.

  “So, who sprung you?”

  Ty grimaced and turned to greet Ed Hughes, a fellow Ranger who’d been with him at the bar the previous evening. “Tell the guys thanks for squaring away everything with Ruby this morning.”

  “No worries, bro,” Ed said, smiling and revealing a prominent gold tooth. “I grabbed hold of your shirt last night when you popped up from your chair, but there wasn’t any stoppin’ you.” He pointed at his gold tooth. “I think that Stinky Bastard you mixed it up with is gonna need one of these.”

  “That’s Sterling Bastard,” a gruff voice said off the side. “Don’t disrespect my club. And I reglued my cap last night.”

  Ty and Ed turned to see the man Ty had fought smiling back at them with his full set of teeth.

  Ty narrowed his eyes. “Don’t know if I’m disappointed.”

  The guy chuckled. “I shouldn’t have pinched that girl’s ass. Guess I deserved it.” He glanced around Ty at Ruby, who had just served a cup of beer to a customer. “I hear your chili’s the best, ma’am.”

  “That’s no lie,” Ruby said, jerking her chin toward the blue ribbon hanging above her. “Three years’ running now.”

  She ladled chili into a paper cup and handed him a spoon. “That’ll be five dollars.”

  The man whistled. “I’m sure it’ll be worth it. I’ll send my friends over, too.”

  “I’ll appreciate the business,” Ruby said with a firm nod. As the man walked away, Ruby muttered, “I don’t care how he pays me back, just that he does.”

  Ed chuckled and leaned an elbow on the counter in front of him. “Pretty cozy setup,” he said under his breath to Ty as he waggled his eyebrows. “Just sayin’.”

  Ty grimaced. “I’m just repaying my debt.”

  “Keep telling yourself that, bud. And don’t feel bad about bein’ cheap. I’d give a hundred dollars to be in your boots.”

  After Ed ambled away, Ty turned to Ruby who was frowning as she stared after Ed. “Guess you heard all that.”

  “Didn’t hear a word, deputy.”

  * * *

  After darkness fell and a country band played their first set, the easy ambience of the crowd began to change. They grew louder and abandoned their campsites to roam the grounds. The more they drank, the shorter their tempers became. On several occasions, Ty left the booth to stop fights. Each time, the bikers calmed the moment he flashed his badge.

  Ruby kept an eye on the handsome deputy while mixing drinks and pouring beers. She liked the way he handled himself when tensions ran high, whether cajoling or issuing firm warnings. He was the kind of guy other men respected. He didn’t have to wave a fist or a gun to get them to listen. Maybe it had to do with his bearing and posture, likely coming from his military training, something she’d learned a little about from his friend Ed when he’d been cleaning up at the bar that morning.

  Apparently, they’d both been Army Rangers. Although not in the same unit, their paths had crossed from time to time while they’d been on active duty. They’d “seen things.” She had gleaned those nuggets while trying to pretend she wasn’t all that interested. Ruby would’ve liked to have learned more but hadn’t wanted to reveal she was curious. Her business was her own. She ran the bar and her life according to that same maxim and treated others to the same courtesy. Her late husband had given her that advice, and like everything he had ever taught her, she took his advice as gospel.

  Harry had been a good man and mentor. When she’d been young and desperate, he’d given her a job, and then added responsibilities. What she hadn’t known was that he’d been preparing her to take over his business when he passed. When his cancer had become impossible for him to hide, depleting his strength, he’d made her the manager—and then asked her to marry him, completing his plan.

  She had loved him, but not as a husband. The difference in their ages had been too great, and he’d never expressed a romantic interest in her. He’d simply been taking care of the business he had loved and nurtured for thirty years.

  Ten years after his death, Ruby was still grateful for the gift. Most people didn’t remember Harry, and she’d been in charge for so many years that she’d made the place her own, even changing the name.

  She had worked hard—long hours, few vacations. Only lately had she begun to think that she might want more for herself.

  That more certainly wasn’t the deputy who had trashed her bar, but while she was looking there was no harm in making sure all her parts were in good running order. Yes, the later the hour grew, the more her thoughts turned to all the lovely trouble she could get into with the sexy man.

  That he was in good shape and had plenty of stamina was obvious to the eye. That he was interested as well was also apparent. While he tried to pretend he wasn’t watching her every move, she’d caught several sideways glances and took note of the obvious bulge in the front of his jeans.

  She had done that. Every time she reached past him for a cup or a bottle, she brushed against him, gliding her boobs across his back or her hand along his chest when she reached sideways for an item. Hell, she was driving her own self crazy.

  Not that she wanted or expected anything to happen that night. It was too soon, but there was no harm in seeing whether a little flirtation might lead to something. Ruby was no prude, but she also wasn’t easy. She’d worked hard to become a respected member of Caldera’s business community and would never do anything to tarnish her image.

  Still, if she was a little younger…and a little looser…she’d be making plans for that bed inside the camper…

  “Ruby! Need one beer for the gentleman in the black ballcap,” Ty said, raising his eyebrows at her as he stared.

  Jesus, how long had she been lost in thought ogling him? “Hey, Jimbo,” she said, lifting the tap to pour a beer. “You don’t own a motorcycle. What are you doin’ here?”

  “Missed your pretty face,” the older man said. “Seein’ as your place was closed, I thought I’d make sure these yahoos were treatin’ you right.”

  Ruby flashed him a smile. Jimbo had been one of her few customers who’d been around when Harry had still been running the bar. “Did you bring yourself a seat to watch the concert?” she asked, knowing he had a bum knee.

  He gave her a shy smile and shook his head. “No, ma’am. Wasn’t plannin’ on bein’ here until I read the sign on your door sayin’ you’d be out here.”

  She reached into her pocket and handed him the keys to her trailer. “You go get a chair from my trailer. They’re in the closet next to the bathroom. All I have are campstools, but it’ll be better than trying to stand for the next while.”

  “You have chairs?” Ty grumbled good-nature
dly.

  “For my friends,” she said with an insincere smile, but she winked to let him know she was just ragging on him.

  He opened his mouth to say something else, but a shout sounded from the vicinity of the stage. His head jerked toward the sound, and before she could ask him what he could see over the crowd, he lifted the door on the booth and jogged away.

  “Now, that doesn’t look good,” Jimbo murmured, holding a folding stool in one hand. He passed her the keys.

  She took them then stepped onto the lower shelf of her counter to see over the crowd. A group of men were in the midst of a brawl right in front of the stage while the band continued to play. Ty was shoving on shoulders to wedge his way into the crowd that was growing louder and shouting encouragement to the brawlers, and a couple of uniformed deputies were pushing their way through, too.

  “Well, would you look at that,” Jimbo said. “What in the hell does the mayor think she’s doin’?”

  Ruby watched as Sherry Thacker climbed onto the stage and ran for the microphone in front of the lead singer. The music ground to a halt, and the moment she jerked away the mic, loud piercing feedback screamed through the speakers.

  Not that those fighting seemed to notice.

  Sherry tapped the mic and moved closer to the singer, cutting off the tone. “Attention!” she said loudly. “If you miscreants don’t stop this minute, I’ll have you all thrown into jail.”

  “Oh, yeah? You and who else?” someone shouted.

  Her eyes widened. “You’re our guests, asshole. The people of Caldera will see it’s done!”

  “She did not just say that,” Jimbo said mournfully beside Ruby.

  Ruby’s mouth twitched. Sherry had to be good and mad to issue what amounted to a challenge to the rowdy crowd.

  The crowd surged forward. Paper cups flew at the stage. Fists swung.

  Ruby shook her head and watched as another figure leapt onto the stage—Sherry’s husband, the fire chief—he picked her up with one arm, carrying her like a sack of potatoes on his hip, then he put two fingers into his mouth to issue a piercing whistle.

  The crowd stilled.

  “That’s the way you do it, chief!” someone called out.

  Applause sounded, and Ruby noted that by the time Ty and the deputies reached those fighting in the front, the men were patting each other on the back.

  “A little misogyny goes a long way,” Ruby muttered.

  Jimbo pressed his lips together and gave her a wide-eyed stare.

  “Only smart man I know.” She filled a cup and handed it to him. “Here’s one on the house.” Then she poured herself a beer and sat on the counter beside him.

  When Ty made his way back through the crowd, he wore a crooked smile. “That was a lot of fuss for nothing.” His gaze went to Jimbo who’d unfolded his chair beside her. “You look comfortable.

  Jimbo raised his cup. “Someone has to be around in case those boys get rambunctious.”

  “Guess so,” Ty said, raising the gate and stepping behind the counter.

  “Pour yourself a beer,” Ruby said, raising her own cup. “It’s gonna be a long night.”

  Chapter 3

  It wasn’t until the wee hours of the morning that Ruby called it a night.

  By then, Ty’s head, feet, and back hurt. “Don’t know how you do this,” he said, groaning as he rubbed the small of his back. They sat side by side in folding chairs in front of the booth, watching the campfires slowly die around the fairground. They’d had a busy night dispensing drinks and snacks, but he hadn’t had to wade into another fight.

  “The Army Ranger thinks this is tough?”

  Hearing her say it like that struck a manly nerve, like she was dissing all Army Rangers.

  Maybe he was getting a little soft. Or maybe he shouldn’t have partied so hard the night before.

  She gave a feminine snort. “I’ve been doing this for years.”

  Ty looked at her through bleary eyes. “How many years?”

  “You askin’ me how old I am?” she asked, arching a brow.

  Oh, hell. He raised his hands. “I’d never ask a woman that.”

  “Why not? Do you think I’m old?”

  He knew a trap when he saw one. He’d have to guess. However, he couldn’t guess too low and have her think he was afraid or too high and insult her. “My best guess is you’re about my age, although you show a heck of a lot less wear.”

  “You’re what? Thirty-five? Six?”

  He gave a slow nod. “Six. Was I close?”

  Her smile glinted in the shadows. “Thirty-five. I’ve been doing this for fifteen years.”

  “Wow.” He raised his cup. “I take it the bar is yours?”

  “Free and clear.”

  He did the math. “Family business?”

  Her gaze cut away. “Sort of.”

  And he knew that avenue of conversation had hit a road block. “You been living in Caldera long?”

  “Fifteen years. You?”

  “Just since I was hired. I came out of Killeen.”

  “Straight out of the Army, I hear.”

  “Yeah,” he said, taking a sip of his now warm beer.

  “Are things here quite a bit different than what you’re used to?”

  He grinned. “Yeah, if I’d gotten busted after a bar fight, I would’ve spent time in the brig and likely lost a stripe or gotten myself bounced out of the Army.”

  “What? No CO to make you work for the bar owner.”

  “No, ma’am. The Army, especially the Rangers, takes their good order and discipline seriously.”

  “So, why did you start that fight?”

  He wrinkled his nose. “I’m not exactly sure. My head felt ready to explode when that Sterling Bastard wouldn’t watch what his hands were feeling up.”

  “So, you got angry because you don’t like to see a woman being abused?”

  He grimaced and rubbed the back of his neck. “There’s that, and…if I’m gonna be completely honest…it felt really good to let loose some steam.”

  “Letting loose steam… You can’t find a better…outlet?”

  For the hundredth time that night, his mind went straight to the gutter. Was she asking him about his sex life?

  She laughed and reached over to touch his arm. “You don’t have to answer that.”

  He released an exaggerated sigh and let his head fall back. “I was wondering where you were going with that…”

  Her hand slid away as did her glance. “I’m not going to ask you when the last time you got laid was. Not my business.”

  But she’d been thinking about it. Interesting. “Since we’re getting to know each other… I wouldn’t mind if you asked.”

  Her gaze swung back and held.

  He smiled, slow and easy.

  Her smile was close-lipped.

  He cleared his throat. “I haven’t been with anyone since I left Killeen.”

  “Oh my.” She waved a hand at her face. “No wonder you have such a short fuse.”

  “My fuse ain’t short.”

  Their smiles stretched, and they both broke out in laughter.

  “Good to know,” she said after she wiped her eyes.

  “Just fair warnin’, ma’am.”

  * * *

  After they’d loaded everything that might walk away from an unguarded booth, they stood outside her tiny trailer.

  “It being Sunday,” Ruby said quickly to fill the sudden awkward silence, “and with the local liquor stores closed, tomorrow could get busier if more locals show up. Music’s starting right after noon. So, I’ll need you and Lennie to head to storage in the morning to get more kegs and a box of whiskey. Also, Lennie will have another marmite container of chili ready to bring out.”

  Ty gave her a nod, so she turned to climb the stairs.

  “I still don’t like the idea of you being out here on your own,” he said behind her.

  “I’ll lock the door,” she said as she looked over her shoulde
r at him. “Or…”

  Ty took a step closer. “Or…I could stay and you can head home. Let you get some sleep.”

  Jesus, did she have to lay it out on a platter for him to take the bite? Fine. She wasn’t going to beg. She climbed to the entrance. “I’ll just make sure you have towels for a quick shower in the morning. This rig doesn’t store a lot of water.”

  He followed her inside. As she moved down the short corridor, she heard the soft snick of the lock and smiled. She continued to the cramped bedroom which was lit only by a small nightlight in the corner. Standing in the shadows, she began to strip.

  She knew he was standing in the hallway, looking in. Looking at her. But he hadn’t moved. That was all right with her. She liked putting on a little bit of a show.

  She drew her roadhouse tee over her head and tossed it toward a corner. Then she toed off her Vans, slipped her belt free of her jeans, and unzipped her pants.

  Only then did she hesitate for just a moment. She was really going to do this with a man she’d watched over the past few months but still barely knew.

  “You know, we don’t have to do a thing,” Ty said, his voice sounding a little thick and hoarse.

  She gripped the waist of her jeans and pushed them over her hips, angling away, because showing her pussy first felt a little…brazen. A thought that nearly made her chuckle out loud because she was showing him her ass.

  Lastly, she reached behind her back and unhooked her bra. The straps slid down her arms, and the garment fell to the floor. Slowly, she turned to face him, her chin jutting upward.

  Ty, who’d been hidden in the shadows of the hallway, took a step inside the bedroom. She noted that his jeans were already open but his hands were balled at his sides.