Protecting Tricia (5 page)

Tricia shook her head. No doubt Candy was enjoying the feel
of Clint’s muscles. She wondered if he realized the woman was feeling him up.

Well, of course he did. Candy was probably his current
lover, now the person being aroused by his touch and reduced to begging.

Something stirred inside Tricia, and she struggled to
identify it.
Resentment? Jealousy?
Surely not. She didn’t want Clint,
didn’t want any man for that matter.

But she’d sure enjoy seeing him squirm. Ignoring the voice
in her head that insisted she was being immature, Tricia called out, “Clint.”

Both Clint and Candy turned to look in her direction.

“What do you think about these?”

The panties that hung from the hanger she held were little
more than a thin scrap of pink silk. At the sides, they were held together by
satin ribbons tied into a bow.

Tricia grabbed one of the ribbons and tugged gently. She
looked back at Clint with a secretive little smile, and in her best seductive
voice said, “Easy access.”

Candy’s smile vanished completely.

Clint wasn’t smiling either. Then again, in the past day she
hadn’t seen him smile at all. It was a shame actually, because he had such an
adorable grin. Tricia watched his chest expand as he drew in a deep breath of
air. Then his lips curved upward.

“Those are indeed…something special.” His gaze moved slowly
down her body and back up. “I’m sure they’ll look sensational on you.”

Tricia’s breath backed up in her lungs. She had started this
banter because she’d wanted to watch Clint squirm. Instead, she was the one
squirming. It was almost as if it were his hands that caressed her body rather
than his gaze. That leisurely examination of his had left her tingling from head
to toe. And that irritated her.

“Good,” she replied breezily. “I’ll get a couple more in
some different colors, and we’ll be ready to go.”

The redhead had removed her hand from Clint’s arm and
dropped it to her side. She scowled at Tricia then turned her gaze back to
Clint. “Are you going to introduce us?”

“Tricia, Candy. Candy, Tricia.”

Tricia gave the woman what she hoped came across as a
sincere, confident smile. “It’s nice to meet you,” she said in her most
friendly voice.

“Are you from around here?”

Tricia shook her head. “No.”

“How did the two of you meet?”

Candy’s tone wasn’t exactly brimming with southern
hospitality. It was clear that she viewed Tricia with utter contempt and
distrust. Normally Tricia wouldn’t have been particularly thrilled to be
regarded in such a way. But in this instance, it didn’t bother her.

“Oh, Clint and me go way back.” Tricia plucked two more
hangers from the rack. She walked over to Clint and took his arm. “I’m ready.”

“Good. See you later, Candy.”

As they walked toward the register, Tricia felt the woman’s
eyes boring a hole in her back. As Clint paid for the items, Candy stormed past
them.

Tricia raised her hand and wiggled her fingers. “Bye,
Candy.”

Candy lifted her chin high and continued her brisk pace
without acknowledging Tricia at all.

Tricia took the bag from the cashier and followed Clint out
of the store.

“Poor Candy.” Her voice dripped sweetness, like maple syrup
on pancakes. “She looked a tad upset. You might have to do some fast talking to
work your way back into her good graces.”

Clint merely grunted in response as he climbed inside the
truck. He started the engine then draped his arm over the steering wheel and
looked at Tricia. “Did you enjoy that?”

“Yes, indeed. It was the most fun I’ve had in a long time.”

“Glad to hear it. I hope you realize by noon the entire town
will know all about this little incident.”

“I guess that could put a crimp in your love life.” She bit
the inside of her bottom lip to keep from smiling.

“I’m not worried about my love life, but as I said last
night, the less people who know you’re here the better.” He shrugged and put
the truck in gear. “But there’s nothing we can do about it now.”

As Clint pulled onto the road, Tricia mentally scolded
herself. As much as she hated to admit it, he was right, and it could cause a
problem.

In her imagination, she could see the scene taking place.
Matt shows up in town flashing her picture and dropping her name. In no time at
all, he finds someone who’s more than willing to tell him about a stranger in
town named Tricia. Of course, they’d also be obligated to pass on the gossip
about this mysterious woman who had appeared out of nowhere. With a smile and a
wink, they’d inform him that she was the very latest in the long line of Clint
Owens’s lovers.

Tricia shoved the scene from her mind. Matt wouldn’t show
up, so she didn’t need to be concerned with it. He had no idea where to find
her, and he couldn’t possibly search every small town in Oklahoma. But even
though she reassured herself, uneasiness nibbled at her.

“Anything else you need besides a toothbrush?” Clint asked.

“No, that’s all.”

And she’d be darn grateful to get it. That morning when
she’d asked Clint if he had an extra toothbrush, he’d offered to let her use
his, but she’d declined. Later, when she squirted a line of toothpaste across
her index finger and
brushed
, she wished she hadn’t been so quick to
refuse his offer. Thankfully, combined with the floss and mouthwash, it had
been somewhat effective, but it wasn’t an experience she wanted to repeat.

Minutes later, Clint pulled into a parking space in front of
a drugstore. Tricia jumped out of the truck and practically ran in order to
enter the store ahead of him. She had been following him all morning. Let him
follow her for a change.

Walking down the aisle, she scanned the signs hanging from
the ceiling. When she found one that sported the title
dental hygiene
,
she turned and followed the passageway until she located a display of
toothbrushes.

She examined the different types of brushes that hung from
metal hangers on the shelf. Unsatisfied with the selection on the top of the
display, she crouched down to inspect the ones on the bottom rows.

“Good God,” Clint muttered. “Here we go again.”

Because she felt this ridiculous childish urge to irritate
him even further, she took an exorbitant amount of time choosing a brush,
treating the decision almost as if it were a life-altering one.

After Clint had muttered numerous versions of
hurry up
,
she finally picked an item, turned, and held it out to him. “Here, if you’re in
such a hurry, let’s…”

She froze at the sight of a policeman standing not five feet
away. His blue uniform was pressed to perfection, not a wrinkle in sight, and a
gun hung from his belt to lie against his thigh. He was studying a display of
over-the-counter medication. Taking a bottle from the shelf, he turned in their
direction.

Tricia gasped as her heart skipped a beat.

The rational side of her brain told her he was only walking
past them on the way to the cash register. But she knew any second now his gaze
would collide with hers. What he would see in her eyes would be fear.

To a policeman, a fearful gaze would surely be a sign of
guilt. That, combined with the fact that she was a stranger in town, would no
doubt arouse his suspicions. It might even make him suspicious enough to start
digging around.

Clint tugged on the toothbrush she still held. “Tricia?”

She released it, grabbed two fistfuls of Clint’s shirt, and
pulled him toward her, covering his mouth with hers.

She heard the policeman’s footsteps on the tiled floor as he
walked by them. She gave him ample time to move past them before she ended the
kiss.

Clint looked at her with confusion and suspicion in his
eyes. “What was that all about?”

She gave a weak smile. “I guess I just couldn’t resist your
charms a second longer.” She had hoped for her words to sound light, but the
effect had been shot to hell when her voice had actually broken as she spoke.

“Bullshit.” Clint’s gaze shifted past her for a second. Then
his eyes met hers again. “Damn it, Tricia. What have you done?”

She shrugged. “I kissed you.”

“Yeah, and I know exactly why you did it.”

He took hold of her upper arm and pulled her down the aisle.
When they reached the cash register, where sure enough the policeman was
shelling out money for his purchase, she lowered her head and turned it away
slightly in what she hoped was a casual manner.

As they exited the door, bells chimed and she jumped
slightly in response.
Relax. Those are the same bells that chimed when you entered
the store—it’s nothing to worry about.

Clint opened the passenger door of his truck and pushed her
inside. He slammed it shut and rounded the hood. Once he was seated behind the
wheel, he turned toward her. “We’re not moving until you tell me what’s going
on. I want the truth, and I want it now.”

Tricia’s mind groped for a reply. What could she tell him
that would pacify him? She needed something believable and brief. There was no
time for long explanations, her objective being to get Clint to start the
engine and exit the parking lot before Mr. Policeman strolled out of the store.

A rap against the driver’s side window had her shifting her
gaze. At the sight of the shiny badge pinned on the blue uniform, her body
tensed and her breathing ceased.

Tricia watched silently as Clint rolled down the window.
With each turn of the knob her body tensed a degree further until she was as
tightly wound as a coiled metal spring.

“Hi, David,” Clint said.

“Hey, Clint. How’s it going?”

“Can’t complain. How’s everything with you?”

“Pretty good.”

Tricia’s heart raced, pounding forcefully against her
breastbone. When she became lightheaded she realized if she didn’t do
something, she was either going to hyperventilate or pass out. That would be
guaranteed to make Mr. Policeman suspicious. She focused on her breathing,
concentrating on inhaling and exhaling in a slow, deep, rhythmic pattern.

She studied David’s face for any sign of misgiving or
alertness and found none. Nor was there anything in his words or tone of voice
that should cause her concern. The conversation between the two men was casual,
friendly.

Relax. He doesn’t look like he’s about to whip out his
gun and order you to exit the vehicle and spread ’em.

“I know you were a little preoccupied back there.” David
glanced briefly at Tricia and smiled before he turned his attention back to
Clint. “But didn’t you forget something?”

When Clint didn’t respond, David gestured with his hand.
Tricia followed the direction he indicated, and her gaze landed on the
toothbrush clutched in Clint’s hand. The toothbrush they hadn’t paid for.

“Damn.” Clint shook his head. “I can’t believe I did that.
I’ll go take care of it.”

“Well, like I said, you were preoccupied with…” David’s
words trailed off as he obviously waited for the blank to be filled in.

“Tricia,” Clint supplied.

“Nice to meet you, Tricia. I’m David Warren.”

His smile looked warm and sincere. Kindness was reflected in
his brown eyes. It should have eased her fears. It didn’t.

Her mouth was as dry as a desert. She swallowed, her throat
so constricted that it was almost painful. If she tried to speak, she would bet
it would only come out as a croak. She attempted to smile, but the best she
managed to do was to drag the corners of her lips up the smallest degree. With
that pitiful excuse for a smile, she nodded toward David in answer to his
greeting.

“So, tell me, Tricia,” David said, “you look like a nice
girl, how did you end up with a guy like this?” He tilted his head toward
Clint.

Tricia licked her dry lips as the band around her throat
tightened another notch. David stared at her as he waited for an answer. And
waited. And then waited some more.

“Should we tell him the truth?” Clint asked.

She jerked her head around and stared at him with widened
eyes.

Clint’s gaze shifted to David. “I won her in a poker game.”

At his words, relief seeped through her body.

David laughed. “I’m sure you realize gambling is illegal
here, but with a prize like that, even I would have been tempted.”

Clint held his hands up in a gesture of surrender. “I
couldn’t resist.”

“Hey, Jack’s singing Saturday night at Bushwhackers, you
going to come hear him?”

“Hadn’t planned on it. I’ve heard him sing before.”

“So have I, a million times. But I’ve got to be there. Got
to chase off the hecklers. And if I have to suffer through it, I think you
should too. Besides, I’m sure Tricia would like a night out on the town.
Tricia…”

She glanced up at David.

“Tell him to take you,” David urged.

Tricia looked into Clint’s eyes. With a great deal of concentration,
she might be able to force a few words from her throat.

“Take me,” she whispered.

David chuckled. “Now, Clint, how could you possibly refuse
that request?”

His gaze locked with hers, Clint cleared his throat. “I
can’t refuse it.”

“Good. I’ll see you there. Right now I’ve got to get back to
work. Don’t forget about the toothbrush.”

Clint looked over at David and nodded. “I won’t. Talk to you
later.”

David headed for his patrol car. The panic that had been
crushing Tricia’s chest eased a bit with each step he took. It diminished even
further when he pulled out of the parking lot and the car disappeared from
sight.

“I need to go pay for this,” Clint said. “I’ll be right
back, and then we’re going to talk.”

Tricia nodded. She stared out the front window and watched
him walk back into the store. Releasing a shaky breath, she rubbed a hand over
her forehead. When he returned he was going to interrogate her, demand answers.
Answers she didn’t want to give him.

Within minutes, Clint exited the store. Once he was seated
in the truck, he said, “Okay, Tricia, spill it.”

“Can we get out of here first?” she asked softly. “Then I’ll
tell you all about it.”

The long drive back to the ranch would provide her with some
much-needed additional time. Maybe she could think of something to tell
him—other than the truth—that would satisfy him. If not, if she actually did
have to tell him the truth, it wasn’t a conversation she wanted to have in the
middle of a parking lot.

The engine didn’t start, and she could feel Clint’s eyes
boring into her. “Please,” she added.

Without a word, Clint started the truck and pulled onto the
highway. Air rushed inside the cab of the truck from the still open window,
blowing Tricia’s hair into her face. She pushed the hair behind her ear and
glanced over at Clint. He rolled the window up about two-thirds of the way and
grabbed a cigarette from his shirt pocket. Tricia turned her head and stared
out the passenger window. Silence and the smell of cigarette smoke filled the
air.

When they entered the house, Tricia took a seat on one end
of the couch, and Clint dropped down on the opposite end. He twisted his body
to face her and rested his arm across the back of the coach.

“Well, I’m waiting.” A moment later, when she hadn’t yet
responded, he added, “We can sit here all day if we have to, but neither one of
us is leaving this room until I know what’s going on.”

Might as well tell him and get it over with.

She took a deep breath and admitted her crime.

“What? I can’t hear you, Tricia, you’re mumbling.”

She cleared her throat and repeated herself. “I robbed a
store.”

At her confession, he drew back slightly, disbelief in his
eyes. “No, you didn’t. You wouldn’t do something like that.” His words sounded
so final, like he had absolutely no doubt about her innocence.

“Actually, Matt robbed a store. I didn’t know he was going
to, but I was there.”

“Tell me everything,” he coaxed. “From the beginning.”

Tricia ran a hair through her hair. “Matt had been drinking.
He ran out of beer and wanted to go buy some more. He was really drunk, and I
was worried he’d have a wreck, so I drove him.”

“Of course you did. Because if he had a wreck and killed
himself, what a shame that would be.” His voice dripped with sarcasm.

Tricia narrowed her eyes at him. “If he had a wreck and
killed someone else, that would be a shame.”

Clint waved his hand in a gesture for her to continue. “Go
on.”

“It was late, after midnight, and most places were closed,
so I drove to a convenience store. When we got there, Matt went inside and I waited
in the car. He was in there for a while, longer than he should have been. I
know now that he was waiting for the other customers to leave. I was tired, and
I wanted to go home and back to bed, so I went inside to see what was taking
him so long. He was robbing the store. He had a gun pointed at the clerk and
was waiting for the man to empty the register.”

The young clerk had looked terrified, his face pale and his
hands shaking as he grabbed bills from the register and shoved them into a
paper bag.

“And you couldn’t see this from the car?”

Tricia shook her head.

“Then what happened?”

“When I came in, Matt started yelling at me—why hadn’t I
waited in the car, that kind of thing. Then the clerk gave him the money and we
left. We went back home.”

“Nobody got hurt?”

“No, thank God.”

“When did this happen?”

“The night I left.”

“Ah. So, that’s why you…” He waved his hand in the air
vaguely. “Argued.”

She nodded and focused on a point just over Clint’s
shoulder, as the events of that night flashed before her in vivid detail. Shock
had prompted her to say things she normally would have never dreamed of
uttering to Matt. He’d screamed at her to shut up, called her some vicious
names. Then his fist connected with the side of her face so hard she stumbled
backward and would have fallen had she not landed against the wall. He grabbed
the front of her shirt and shook her over and over again. With each shake, her
head had pounded against the wall.

Absently, she rubbed the back of her head. There was still a
knot there, although it was no longer painful. Her mind filled with images of
the monstrous look of rage on Matt’s face, the pure evil that radiated from his
eyes. Just the memory was enough to make her shiver in fear. Shoving the
thoughts away, she struggled to regain some semblance of composure.

Dropping her hand down on the back of the couch, she
replied, “Yes, we…argued.” When her voice trembled, she winced.

“You want to tell me about it?” Clint asked, his tone
gentle. His hand covered hers, his thumb stroking her skin.

His touch was comforting, encouraging. And completely
unwelcome. She slid her hand out from under his and placed it in her lap.

“No, I don’t.” She wanted to forget it.

Sharing the details with Clint would serve no purpose. It
would, however, revive a multitude of emotions that she had no desire to dwell
on—shame, humiliation, degradation. Worst of all, she suspected it would result
in Clint’s blue eyes filling with pity. She didn’t want, or need, his pity.

“Okay.” He nodded slightly. “Well, obviously he didn’t just
let you leave. How did you manage it?”

“I waited until he passed out.” She had laid on the floor in
a crumpled heap, her body aching and blood dripping from her nose for what
seemed like hours.

“Why didn’t you go to the police?”

“I don’t know. I was scared. I didn’t know what to do. I
wasn’t thinking straight.” Her only lucid thought at the time had been that she
wanted to go home. To go back to the only place in the world where she felt
safe and secure.

“Tricia, I don’t see the problem here. You really didn’t do
anything.”

She shook her head in disbelief. How could the man not see
the problem?

“Clint, I was an accessory to a robbery. I drove him there.
It was obvious we knew each other. He even called me by name. And I drove the
car when we left.”

“You weren’t the one who robbed the store. We go to the
police, tell them the story, they arrest Matt, he goes to jail for robbery, and
you don’t have to worry about him anymore.”

Her gaze stayed level and steady on his. “No.”

“Why not?”

“I’m not going to jail.”

“You didn’t do anything. They won’t arrest you.”

“I think they would. Maybe, hopefully, the truth would come
out, and I’d be found innocent, but until then I’d have to stay in jail for no
telling how long.”

“You don’t know that.”

“It’s not a chance I’m willing to take. One of my mom’s
cousins went to jail. I don’t know what for, I was just a kid, didn’t even know
the man—but he died there. He was stabbed by another prisoner, and he died. The
people there are tough and mean. I’ve had enough tough and mean to last me a
lifetime. And,” she continued, “I have no desire to become any woman’s
girlfriend.”

Clint rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. “Let me talk
to David. Just ask him, hypothetically, in this situation, what would happen.”

“No. I’m sure he’s not stupid. He’d immediately put two and
two together, and then he’d start digging around.”

“He’s a friend.”

“He’s a policeman,” she countered.

“Do you want to spend the rest of your life trying to avoid
the police? Wondering if you’re going to be arrested for something you didn’t
even do? Your best bet is to get it cleared up now.”

“If I went to the police, and Matt went to jail, eventually
he’d get out. After a couple of years in prison, he’d really be angry. He’d
want revenge against the person who put him there. And who do you think he’d
hold responsible? The man would come after me with a vengeance.”

Clint shifted, braced his forearms on his thighs, linked his
fingers together, and stared at the floor. “I don’t know what to do.”

“Don’t do anything. Let me handle this my way. Actually, I
think this whole situation might work to my advantage. I’ve been thinking that
maybe I should talk to Matt. Offer to make a deal with him—he leaves me alone,
and I agree not to go to the police.”

Clint jerked his gaze to hers and stared at her like she had
gone insane. “And you actually think he’ll agree to that?”

“I don’t know, but it might be worth a try.”

“Absolutely not,” he said firmly.

“It’s my decision to make.”

“I’m making it for you.”

She looked away and clenched her jaw. What was it about her
that made men think they had the right to order her around? Maybe it wasn’t the
most brilliant idea, but desperate times called for extreme measures. At the
very least the idea was worthy of consideration. And whether or not to follow
through with it was
her
choice.

“But I will agree not to talk to David about this—for now.”

Clint’s words jerked Tricia from her thoughts. She looked
back at him and exhaled a silent sigh of relief. Had he decided to speak with
David, there was little she could have done to prevent it.

“Thank you.” Her words were spoken softly. So softly that
even to her they were almost inaudible.

A look of surprise crossed Clint’s face. “Yeah, well…” He
paused as if searching for words and then said simply, “You’re welcome.”