Boots and Twisters Read online

  As Jackson rutted into Audrey’s pussy, Lucky swirled, flicked and teased herself until she panted, her body growing rigid.

  Audrey cried out, her back arched and Jackson slammed into her one more time.

  The fervor of their joining sent Lucky over the edge. A wave of electrical synapses rolled over her, making her gasp aloud.

  Audrey’s eyes widened and she stared at the gap in the boxes, straight into Lucky’s eyes.

  Lucky jerked her hands from her jeans and staggered backward toward the exit, heat suffusing her cheeks. Her back hit a cardboard box, and she froze, recalling the boxes stacked on wire shelves leaning precariously near the door to the storeroom.

  She spun and watched in horror as the stack, shelf and all, leaned and tipped. Then, in that slow motion of impending doom, they fell.

  Lucky leaped out of the way and backed into another stack of boxes behind her. She put out her hands to catch herself to keep from falling and knocked into another stack.

  As all three stacks rocked then fell, Lucky dove for the doorway, afraid she’d be crushed by bottles of liquor.

  She ran into a solid wall of muscle that reached out to grab her and pull her against his chest, knocking the hat from her head. Her hair spilled out around her shoulders as the bottles crashed behind her.

  “Well, look who I caught snooping around again,” a male voice said.

  From the room behind her, over the blare of raunchy music, she heard Audrey scream.

  Jackson cursed, “Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!”

  More crashing of glass sounded and Lucky stood frozen to the spot, her breath caught in her throat, praying for the floor to open up and swallow her.

  When the storeroom grew quiet, she pushed hard to free herself of the hands gripping her arms, she stared up into those deep, dark, sexy brown eyes. Why did she keep running into him?

  Once again he was witness to her crappy luck. She’d hoped when she left Comfort she’d leave the bad luck behind. Somehow, it had followed her all the way to the Ugly Stick Saloon.

  The scent of spilled alcohol swirled around her, making her sick. “Let me go. They might be hurt.”

  His brows furrowed and he set her aside. “Stay,” he ordered.

  She stood where he set her, her heart pounding, the skin where his fingers had held her tingling.

  “Audrey? You in there?” he called out.

  “Yeah. Don’t come in. There’s broken glass everywhere.”

  “Where’s Jackson? He came lookin’ for you.”

  “I’m here,” the man in the storeroom called out. “Fuck, the floor’s so slick I can’t tell what’s glass and what’s whiskey.”

  “Need me to get in there to help you out?”

  “Trent, don’t come in here,” Audrey ordered.

  Lucky couldn’t stand still. She had to see how bad it was. She leaned around the man called Trent and peered into the storeroom, her empty belly clenching. “Holy hell,” she whispered.

  Audrey appeared from around the mound of broken containers that used to be a tall stack of boxes, pulling her shirt down over her breasts and then tugging her skirt over her hips.

  The tall man with the swarthy skin of a Native American who’d helped bring the trucks out of the ditch followed her out, picking through the crushed cardboard, bottles and spilled whiskey, wine and beer.

  Once she stepped out of the disaster zone, Audrey turned back to inspect the damage. “What the hell happened?”

  Another town, another calamity. “It was my fault. I was the one who wrecked into your truck, and I’m the one who caused the boxes to fall.” Lucky tipped her chin up. “I’ll clean up the mess. I promise. And I’ll pay you back, every cent,” she whispered. “As soon as I can earn the money to do so.”

  Audrey faced Lucky, her eyes narrowed. “You did this?”

  “It was an accident.” Lucky held up her hands. “I didn’t do it on purpose. Really.”

  Audrey shook her head. “Were you the one trying to get my attention?”

  Lucky nodded. “I should have walked away. I tried, but I backed into the boxes while watching…uh, nothing…” Her cheeks heated and she looked at her boots. “I’m sorry.”

  A small, slender finger tipped her chin upward. “Hey. It’s okay. No one got hurt.”

  Jackson glared. “Are you kidding me?”

  Audrey smiled at him. “Jackson, be a dear and go check on Greta Sue.” She nodded toward the other man behind Lucky. “Take Trent with you.”

  Trent, Mr. Tall, Dark and Sexy. Lucky’s gaze followed him as he left with Jackson.

  When Audrey turned back to Lucky, she gave her a gentle smile. “You can come with me.” She led her into a small office with an old desk and shut the door.

  “I’m so sorry.” Lucky tucked her hands in her pockets to keep from wringing them. “You could have been hurt.”

  “But I wasn’t.”

  “I ruined your boots,” Lucky glanced at the stained red boots.

  “They’re things. They can be replaced.” Audrey’s shoulders raised and lowered. “I’ll get over it.”

  “And the truck.”

  “I know a really good body guy in Hole in the Wall. He’ll have it looking like new before you know it.”

  “I can’t believe you’re not ranting and raving. I would be so mad at all the stuff I’ve ruined.”

  Audrey laughed and hugged her, that one gesture was the straw that broke Lucky’s control. Tears welled and she fought to keep them from sliding down her cheeks. She swiped at one that escaped. “I’m sorry. I never cry.”

  The other woman’s eyes widened. “Why not?”

  Lucky stood straighter. “My father taught me it did no good to cry. Be tough and the world won’t take advantage of you.”

  Audrey’s lips twisted and she gave Lucky a knowing grimace. “Gets old, doesn’t it?”

  Another tear slipped free and Lucky swiped it away, nodding. Her throat constricted with emotion. When she could finally force words past the knot she said, “I’ll pay you back. Everything. The truck repairs, the bottles of alcohol. Everything.” Her head tilted down. “As soon as I can earn money to do it.” She glanced back up, her jaw set. “And I will.”

  The owner of the saloon stared at her for a long moment as if looking straight into her soul.

  Lucky wanted to hide from the glance, but she stood tall and proud, despite the few tears making salty tracks down her cheeks.

  “I could always use some help around here,” Audrey finally said.

  Her jaw fell and she blinked past the tears in her eyes. “Are you offering me work?”

  Audrey nodded. “If you want it. Although it would be nice to know your name.”

  “Lucky Albright.” She held out her hand.

  The owner of the Ugly Stick Saloon gave it a firm shake with slender fingers.

  Lucky debated telling her about the bad luck streak that had been following her around like a heavy black cloud for going on two years. “Are you sure?”

  Audrey walked around Lucky, studying her from the top of her cowboy hat to the tips of her boots. As she circled her, the pretty owner tapped a finger to her chin. “Can you dance?”

  Shaking her head, Lucky pointed at her boots. “I grew up ranchin’. I have two left feet on the dance floor. But I can ride, rope and mend a fence as good or better than any man. And I’m good with animals.”

  With a laugh, Audrey’s eyes narrowed. “I suppose some of the cowboys can be real animals when they’ve had a few too many, but we don’t have much call for mending fences or ropin’. Our mechanical horse is on the fritz or I’d have you ride it.” Her smile returned. “Ever wait tables?”

  Her hopes plummeting, Lucky shook her head. “Closest I’ve come to waiting tables is serving dinner to the horses, spreading hay out for the cattle, or slopping pigs.”

  “I can see some similarities in ranching and serving customers. It’s just different drinks and food. If you’re game, you can work here until you find
something more your style.”

  Lucky stared into Audrey’s eyes. “You have every right to be angry with me. To hate me and want me to leave. Why are you being so kind?”

  Audrey touched her arm. “I have a sense about people. You seem nice enough and I can tell you’ve got a good heart. I didn’t have two nickels to rub together when I came to work at the Ugly Stick Saloon. Sometimes people need a chance to start over. I know I did.” She raised her hands palms up and stared around the bar. “Now I own the place.” Her mouth twisted. “I wonder sometimes if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. But I promised I’d help other people like the former owner helped me. Kind of paying it forward.”

  Lucky’s heart swelled, pushing hard against her ribs. After the “good” people of Comfort had run her out of town, she’d wondered if she’d ever be accepted anywhere. And she’d accidentally stumbled on this place out in the middle of nowhere Texas. If she hadn’t run out of gas, she might not have stopped. Might not have met this remarkable woman.

  Lucky hugged Audrey and stepped back fast, her face burning. “I’m sorry. It’s just…you know…hard to find work.”

  Audrey hugged her back. “I know. But you’re destined for something different. You can work until you find it. And after, if you need to work extra.”

  “I might. I intend to pay for the repairs on your truck and for all the bottles of alcohol I broke.”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  With a shake of her head, Lucky stayed firm. “Yes, I do. When do you want me to start?”

  “You can help clean up tonight.” Audrey studied her. “For all your outdoor tan, you’re kind of pale. When was the last time you’ve eaten?”

  Her stomach rumbled loudly in answer. Embarrassed, Lucky glanced at her feet. “Yesterday.”

  “Good grief, Lucky, I’ll have one of the girls whip up a burger for you.”

  Weak with relief, Lucky dared to think perhaps her luck had turned around. Though she was sure once she could think straight again, she’d realize it hadn’t. That bad luck streak was potent and hard to kick.

  “I’ll go let Charli know you’re a new employee and to get someone to grill up that burger.” Audrey turned to leave, stopped and glanced back over her shoulder, tapping a finger to her chin. “You know, I recall seeing an ad out front for a ranch hand. I’ll go look for it and let you know. In the meantime, stay put in here until I get back with that hamburger. Can’t have my new waitress passing out with hunger on her first night.”

  “Thank you,” Lucky choked out, feeling like she’d found a safe haven in the storm that had become her life over the past two years.

  Left to her own devices, Lucky glanced around at the old furniture and the papers neatly stacked on the scarred, wooden desktop. Scattered around the room were photographs of Audrey and various people. Front and center was one of her and Jackson holding each other like only lovers can, the love between them apparent and so poignant it hurt for Lucky to look at them.

  There were other photographs of Audrey and what looked like waitresses who worked for the Ugly Stick. They wore short shorts and cowboy boots and they all looked happy.

  Maybe, just maybe, Lucky could be happy again.

  Since Sean died, she hadn’t had much reason to smile. If not for her, he’d still be alive today. They’d both been in the same wreck, but Sean died and she’d lived. And if it weren’t for her begging to go along for the ride to Austin, Sean wouldn’t have been broadsided by an eighteen-wheeler.

  You never knew when your number was going to be up. Lucky had a hard time believing it wasn’t all her fault. Her luck had changed that day, and every day since had been one unlucky event or situation after another.

  Fifteen minutes passed and the inactivity made Lucky antsy. With all the talk of food, the acid in her belly churned, making her feel a little nauseous. She rose and paced the interior of the office, touching photo frames and reading certificates on the walls.

  Lucky had her back to the door when it opened.

  Footsteps sounded behind her.

  She spun to face not Audrey but a man with dark hair and dark eyes. He was as nice looking as Trent, with a more open and friendly face.

  “Hi, my name’s Isaac.”

  She took his hand and gave it a firm shake. “Lucky.”

  “Some say I am. And I’m beginning to think I am now that I’ve met you.”

  She laughed at his blatant flirting. “No, my name is Lucky Albright.”

  “That’s your real name or a nickname?” Isaac asked with casual curiosity.

  “My mother must have been feeling lucky that day. It’s on my birth certificate that way.”

  “Well, then I’ll definitely consider this as my lucky day.” Isaac grinned. “Nice to meet you, Lucky. Audrey tells me you’re looking for a job on a ranch.”

  “I am.”

  “I have a ranch.”

  “That’s nice.”

  “And I’m in need of a ranch hand.”

  “You are?” Her pulse hammered. Maybe her luck really had changed. “I’m available during the day.” She nodded toward the door. “Audrey offered me a job waiting tables at night. I need to pay her back for wrecking her truck and storeroom.”

  “You wrecked her storeroom too?” Isaac’s grin widened. “That’s some lousy luck.”

  Lucky held her breath, waiting for Isaac to pass on offering her a job.

  Instead, he clapped his hands together. “So, what kind of ranch experience have you had?”

  Lucky told him all she’d done working on the ranch where her father had been foreman—deeding animals, castrating steers, exercising thoroughbred and quarter horses. “I’m an excellent rider. I’m familiar with various riding styles that include English and western, reining and racing. I prefer western-style riding. I know how to use a come-along to stretch fence and I think I’ve built and repaired enough fencing to surround this county. I can also drive most tractors. I’ve cut, baled and hauled hay, cleared fields, planted and harvested crops and most of all, I’m good with all ranch animals.” She stopped to take a breath and gauge Isaac’s response.

  “I believe I’ve found the perfect woman.” He pressed his hand to his chest and then held it out. “You’re hired.”

  Lucky gripped his hand and could almost feel the weight lift from her shoulders. “I am?”

  “If you can do all that stuff, you’re just what we need.”

  “We?”

  “My partner and I can’t do it all ourselves. An extra pair of hands will go a long way to helping out. Especially someone who knows his—er—her way around animals and hard work. When can you start?”

  “Immediately.” She laughed. “At least bright and early in the morning.”

  “You’re new to town, right?”

  “I am.”

  “Have you found a place to stay?”

  “No.”

  “Then you can stay at the ranch house.”

  She grinned. Two jobs and a place to live. How much better could life get? Her happiness faded. “Only one thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  Her face burned. “I’ll need a ride out to the ranch.” She hurried to add, “Just until I can earn enough to put gas in my truck.”

  Isaac pulled his wallet out of his back pocket and removed a couple of twenties. “Get that gas. Can’t have my new employee hitching rides.”

  “I can’t accept what I haven’t earned.”

  “Sweetheart, you’ll earn it. I promise you.” He gave her directions to the Triple J Ranch, tipped his cowboy hat and smiled. “You can have the guest bedroom.”

  Clutching the bills in her fist, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you so very much.”

  His smile widening, he set her away from him. “Can’t say I’ve ever been kissed by a ranch hand. You’re my first.” He rubbed his cheek. “I kinda liked it. Well, I better be going. My partner will be waiting impatiently. Speaking of which, expe
ct a little resistance. Most likely he’ll be expecting a ranch hand of the opposite gender.”

  “I’ll show him I can do anything a man can do, only better.”

  “I’m sure you will, and more.” He left, chuckling.

  Forty bucks in her hand, two jobs to get her by and a place to lay her head. Yup, her luck was changing.

  Lucky was still grinning when Audrey returned with a Styrofoam tray filled with a fat, juicy hamburger, dripping with grease and a pile of fries enough for four people.

  “Eat up and get your strength. That storeroom will likely take a couple hours to clean.” Audrey patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry. You won’t have to do it all by yourself.”

  “Oh, but I want to. Since I made the mess, I expect to clean it. Plus it’ll give me chance to inventory the damages, so I’ll know what I owe you.” Although she owed her more than the damages.

  Audrey had given her a second chance. She intended to make good on that opportunity.

  Now if only her luck would hold.

  Chapter Four

  Isaac sat in a rocking chair on the front porch of the ranch house, waiting for Lucky to arrive, hoping she wouldn’t until Trent was fast asleep in his bed with the overhead fan drowning out all the softer noises. He hadn’t told his brother he’d hired a woman ranch hand and he didn’t plan on telling him any sooner than he had to. He relished the look on his face when he discovered her gender.

  And from what Lucky had told him, she’d be just as good if not better than any male ranch hand that didn’t have nearly the amount of experience she claimed to have.

  If she didn’t work out, well, no harm, no foul. He’d let her go. She had her job at the Ugly Stick to fall back on. He’d liked her on the spot and really hoped this little experiment worked out.

  Trent poked his head through the door and asked, “Aren’t you going to hit the rack?”

  “In a bit. I’m enjoying the night air, peace and quiet after the noise of the Ugly Stick.”

  Trent stepped out on the porch, walked to the edge and leaned against one of the support beams.

  “You have to admit this is one of the only places you’ve ever been where you can hear yourself think,” Isaac said softly. He’d tried to bring Trent over to his way of thinking. He knew how hard their father had been on him and that he’d treated him badly, always demanding more than he had to give and punishing him harshly when he didn’t live up to John Jameson’s expectations. Which was practically always.