I'll See You In My Dreams (Hell Yeah!) Page 9

  “Zane!” A knock on the door right behind Presley’s head made her jump. Zane leaned into her a bit more and grinned.

  “They can’t come in unless we want them to, can they?” he whispered.

  “Zane!” It was Melody, the receptionist. “Mr. McCoy is here – a bit early, but he’s here.” She sounded a little exasperated. Jacob McCoy could be overwhelming.

  “I think we’d better move,” Presley suggested reluctantly. She would rather stay right where she was. All she wanted to know was how things had changed? What had he meant? She was afraid to hope. But she knew what had changed for her – everything.

  Zane had just turned her world upside down.

  Propelling himself gracefully off of her and back a step or two, Zane stood before her. She had yet to move. Her gaze slid helplessly down his body till she could see the visual evidence of his attraction for her – for her! The bulge in his pants looked as good as it had felt pressed to her mound. Presley felt her cheeks blaze. Out of pure instinct, she covered her cheeks at the thought of him catching her looking at him. But he couldn’t see – and, if she wasn’t badly mistaken – she had caused that swelling, so she owned up to it. “You might want to sit behind your desk, Zane.”

  He flashed her a cocky grin. “I look excited to see you, don’t I?”

  She realized he was playing with her. ”Yes you do, and if you don’t sit down, Jacob is going to think you’re excited to see him, too.”

  “Ha!” he laughed. “You’re adorable.”

  He made it behind the desk a millisecond before the door swung open and Jacob McCoy strode in. “Zane, thanks for seeing me, I’m sorry about being early. We came in for Jessie’s last ultrasound and she’s tired. I hated to make her wait any longer than she had to.”

  Presley couldn’t help but be impressed. She had heard about the McCoy men of Tebow Ranch and the talk hadn’t been exaggerated. Any other time, Presley would have been drawn to the bigger-than-life cowboy who was every woman’s definition of sexy, but not now. She had eyes for only one man – Zane Saucier.

  “No problem, Jacob,” Zane motioned for him to sit. “We were just discussing things – that uh, contribute to the rise in inflation rates.” He said the comment with a straight face, but Presley choked and started coughing. “The beautiful woman whose breath I’ve seemed to manage to steal is Presley Love. Presley, this barbarian is one of my best friends, Jacob McCoy.”

  Presley walked over and greeted Jacob. “It’s very nice to meet you. Congratulations on your baby, I wish you all the luck in the world.”

  Jacob got to his feet. She saw him look at her lip and that made her tense up, but he gave her a big smile and his eyes were friendly, so she relaxed.

  “It’s a pleasure, Miss Presley. How do you stand working with this rascal?”

  Jacob winked at her as if he were asking her to play along. So she did. “It’s hard.”

  “Yes, it is.” Zane broke out in laughter and then Presley realized she had walked right into his erotic by-play. Good gracious. Time to think about something else. “Did you say your wife is here? Would you mind if I went out and asked her if she’d like something to drink? I’ll be right back. I have all the packets for you to take with you and the forms ready for you to sign.”

  “That’s very sweet of you, Presley,” Jacob thanked her. “I appreciate that. I escorted her into the coffee shop next door, but I bet she’d like some company if Zane can spare you.”

  “She’s already got most of the forms ready for us to sign, so no – I have no problem with you checking on Jessie. I’m sure you two will get along well.” With a smile at Jacob, Presley grabbed her purse and took off to go check on their pregnant guest.

  “I can’t believe you let Jessie out of your sight.”

  “My wife likes to think she’s independent, but I slipped the barista my card before I left – just in case.”

  “Have you heard from Aron and Libby? I guess they’re having a good time on their honeymoon.”

  “Yea, we heard from them last night. They’re having a big time. Libby has even talked him into going in the water – and that’s a big thing for that huge ole’ landlubber. They’re going snorkeling today.” Jacob leaned back and stared at his lawyer friend. “You do realize you’re grinning like an idiot, don’t you Zane? You’ve got it bad for your cute little secretary, don’t you?”

  “She is cute, isn’t she?” She was goddamn adorable was what she was. Zane couldn’t get the kiss out of his mind.

  “I’m a married man, but – yeah – she’s a little hottie.”

  “She different, Jacob,” Zane became more serious. “I’ve never met a woman like her.”

  “About damned time, you need a woman.”

  Zane knew Jacob spoke the truth.

  *****

  Presley moved down the busy sidewalk, out of habit she didn’t meet people’s eyes. The wind was whipping hard down the street and she held herself tight to stay warm. Pushing into the coffee shop, she sighed with relief at the warmth. The small shop was almost deserted, but she saw a woman over in the corner with her back to the door. What was odd was the man standing just behind her – quietly watching – with a strange grin on his face. Presley noticed the shopkeeper watching, too.

  As Presley moved closer, she realized that Jessie was reading out loud, but it was slow and halting. Presley had no idea what was going on, maybe she didn’t have her glasses – and it was surely none of her business. But the man that was leering at her made Presley’s blood run cold. And then he said something - - “Hey, Retard! You must be real dumb. You can’t even read a kid’s book.”

  Presley saw Jessie jump, clearly startled. The man didn’t even give her time to respond. Instead, he moved closer. “Read me a story, you fat little moron!”

  Enough! “You stop that, you asshole!” Presley ran right up and grabbed the man by the arm, afraid he was going to try and touch Jessie. The man’s wasn’t huge – not by Zane or Jacob standards, but he was a lot bigger than she was.

  “Get your hands off of me!” The tall, wiry man turned and Presley got her first really good look at him. He was pale, blonde and well dressed – perhaps even a professional. What did he think harassing someone as helpless as Jessie?

  “You leave her alone!” She got right in his face. His breath was atrocious.

  “Back off you ugly little hare-lip!” He actually pushed Presley hard enough that she fell.

  “Ow!” She landed on a sore spot. Dang, she had been knocked down a lot lately – but she didn’t stay down. Getting back up, she grabbed the man by the shoulder just as he started to grab for Jessie. “Stop it!”

  Jessie wasn’t quiet either. She didn’t know who Presley was, but she didn’t mind coming to her defense. “You leave her alone! Are you crazy? Or drunk? My husband is Jacob McCoy and he’s gonna make mincemeat out of you!”

  “Who’d marry a fat cow like you? The two of you deserve a lesson in more than just how to read.”

  Okay – that was it. Presley looked around for something to brain the guy with. The woman behind the counter was gone – great! There! She saw a good-size sugar dispenser, that would put a knot upside his head. Grabbing it, she turned to defend Jacob’s wife. “Let her go!” she exclaimed, seeing that the man had Jessie by the arm as if he were going to pull her from the shop.

  “I said back off, Hare-lip!” The ugly name was one she had heard a thousand times before, and it always hurt, but the man backhanded her – literally took his big fist and struck her in the mouth with the back of his hand. Presley felt her lips gash against her teeth and she tasted blood. It also knocked her sprawling – but this time she didn’t hit the ground. Strong arms caught her – familiar strong arms.

  Zane kissed her on the side of the head and sat her aside and – unbelievably – he hit the crazy man a stunning blow right to his chin – flattening him. How did he do that?

  “Get up, you bastard! Pick on someone your own size!” Zane was a form
idable figure.

  “Why, you blind idiot!” the man snarled as he got up. “I’ll take you apart!”

  Before he could do anything, Zane threw two blows – a martial arts chop to his shoulder and a kick that knocked his legs out from under him. And the man went down – again.

  “He may be blind, but he’s a black belt,” Jacob stated as he pulled the man to his feet. “And you’re going to jail. You don’t assault women in our neck of the woods – especially not our women.” He pulled one of the man’s arms behind his back and up a bit causing him to wince. It was clear that the big McCoy wished the dolt would give him reason to deliver his own punch.

  Jessie looked a bit embarrassed, but pacified and Presley was just confused to be included under Jacob’s umbrella of protection. In a few seconds a policeman met Jacob at the door and he returned to gather Jessie up in his arms. Presley stepped to one side. She didn’t know what to think.

  “Are you alright?” Zane reached out for her and she went to him, thankful to have a place to go. He held her to him, cradling her next to his chest.

  “Yes, I’m fine.” She had grabbed a napkin off of a nearby table and dabbed at the blood.

  “Your voice is shaking. I don’t think you are alright at all.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “What are you sorry for?”

  “That Jessie was insulted, that you were disturbed. . .” she trailed off, then finished. “That you had to hear what he said to me.”

  Zane kissed her forehead – the second time in just a few minutes. “Who better to hear than one who will fight your battles for you?”

  Presley didn’t know what to say.

  *****

  “Thank you for helping me,” Jessie pulled Presley down to sit next to her on the couch. Presley was in awe of the beautiful woman. There was a glow about her that came not from pregnancy alone. Jessie McCoy was loved and she knew it.

  “You are welcome. Do you think the man was on drugs?”

  “He had to be; surely a man can’t be that mean of his own volition.”

  “I’m not retarded, I have dyslexia. I can’t read worth beans.” Jessie looked down as if confessing a huge sin. “It’s my greatest desire to be able to read to our baby.”

  “I understand,” Presley patted Jessie’s hand. “I am sure you will find a way.” Wanting to make Jessie smile, she turned to self-deprecation. “You may not be retarded but I do have a cleft lip.” She couldn’t’ bring herself to use the other term.

  Jessie touched Presley’s mouth. “You have a mouth that’s been well kissed if you ask me.”

  Presley blushed and touched her mouth. “How did you know?”

  “Ah-ha!” Jessie laughed. “I knew because your lip-gloss is smeared and you have scruff-burn on your chin and neck. Zane, I presume?”

  “It didn’t mean anything. It was a pity kiss. It had to be. Look at me!” Her voice had risen a little and she glanced over to see what the men were doing. She let out a breath, they were bent over Zane’s desk and Jacob was studying paperwork. “He can’t see me.” She looked at Jessie imploringly. “If he could, he wouldn’t have wanted to kiss me.”

  “Presley, look at me,” Jessie waved her hands over her body. “I was chubby before I became pregnant and now,” she giggled, “I am chubbier! Jacob McCoy thinks I am the most beautiful woman in the world. He adores me. What he sees in me, I don’t know, but I thank the Lord every day that he looks at me with eyes of love.”

  “You are gorgeous,” Presley argued.

  “And so are you,” Jessie looked Presley up and down. “That little scar on your lip does not detract from who you are. Zane is very much like Jacob, he is a hero. Your boss may be blind but he sees the world much clearer than most people do.”

  What Jessie was saying was just too wonderful for words, too wonderful to contemplate. “When are you due?” She needed to think about something else.

  “A few weeks at most, although it looks like I should have delivered yesterday!” Jessie did look a bit miserable. “The doctor has said that if I don’t go into labor by the middle of November, he’ll induce.”

  “Are you ready to go, Treasure?” Jacob stood close. “The papers are in the works. This baby will be mine in every way possible. I also took care of my will and made provisions to ensure that my neighbor Henry gets some of the proceeds from the gas well. With his criminal nephew in jail, the old man is going to need some help.”

  Presley didn’t know what Jacob was talking about, but she was sure Zane would explain.

  “Your heart is the biggest thing about you,” Jessie kissed him on the cheek. “And that’s saying a lot,” she whispered and much to Presley’s delight – he blushed. Seeing the big man respond to his wife’s affection just made her want to cry. Presley looked at Zane. How she wished the things Jessie had said were true. She wanted to be loved more than anything in the world.

  “Are you coming to the auction tonight?” Jessie asked touching Presley’s arm.

  Presley knew what she was talking about; Zane had spoken of the event several times. “No,” she began, but Zane interrupted her.

  “That’s the best idea I’ve heard in a long time.” He slid a hand down her arm. “I’ll do my best to talk her into accompanying me, Jessie. I need her with me tonight. What do you say, Presley? Do you want to come home with me?”

  *****

  She was going home with Zane! What a prospect! In what capacity, she wasn’t sure, but the idea almost made her giddy. It was necessary that she go home to change, but Zane had his driver take her by her apartment and they had waited for to go up and get some more clothes. What did one wear to a cattle auction? She didn’t have a huge wardrobe so she did the best she could. Last year, she had purchased a denim blue dress with turquoise bead insets in a cutout pattern on the bodice. But she did have a pair of boots to wear. Hopefully she wouldn’t embarrass him.

  Racing around her apartment, she changed purses and put the hamburger back in the freezer that she had set out for dinner. Taking a last look at her hair in the mirror, she turned to go - no, she stopped and faced her reflection. It was time she looked herself in the face. Raising her eyes, she stared. Her hair was okay; she pushed a lock of it over her shoulder. The eye shadow went well with her dress. Letting her gaze drift down, she steeled herself to look at her mouth. Crooked. Her mouth was crooked.

  Yet, he had kissed her. And he seemed to enjoy it.

  She had turned him on.

  But would he have felt the same way if he wasn’t blind – if he could see her with clear vision, would he still want her?

  “Are you ready, Presley?” It was him! He had come to fetch her.

  “Yes, I’m ready.” She opened the door and he offered his arm. Rex led them out and she felt like she was stepping out into a brand new world.

  The drive to the ranch was exciting. She had never been chauffeured before, much less in a Mercedes. She had been to Bastrop before, but never out to where his ranch was located. Sitting up straight in the seat, she tried to take it all in.

  “Come sit next to me,” he held out his hand.

  Presley’s heart jumped and she started to move over, but Rex jumped up between them. “Hey!” she huffed in disappointment. “Share him with me, Rex!”

  Zane laughed. “Hold on, I’ll fix this problem.” He stood up and scooted Rex over and got in between them. “Now, I can sit by both of you. We can’t have any jealousy.”

  From the front Sherwood cleared his throat. “Oh my goodness,” Presley exclaimed. She had almost forgotten about his driver.

  “Eyes on the road, Sherwood,” Zane said good-naturedly. Angling his body toward her, he put his hand on her neck and captured her mouth.

  Presley just melted. She gave herself up to his kiss, enjoying the soft smooches and the rubbing of their tongues together, but then she began to feel self-conscious. They weren’t alone. Letting her lips slide from his, she whispered. “I’m shy. Will you kiss me later?”

/>   “You got it,” he kissed both eyelids. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, Presley. You put yourself between me and danger, you stuck up for Jessie, you have gone out of your way to make my life easier at work – don’t think I don’t notice. I’m grateful.”

  Great. He was grateful.

  Of course. That was why she was here, he was paying her back. “You’re welcome.” She eased away from him and ever so slightly she put just a little bit of distance between them.

  Gratitude was not what she had wanted from him.

  *****

  “Come on Sweet Cheeks, let’s get our feet wet,” Aron held out his hand for Libby and led her down to the waves. He had rented all of their gear and even went through a safety demonstration. Anything his baby wanted was what he tried to do.

  “I’m so excited!” she literally was pulling him toward the water. “I’ve wanted to do this forever!”

  Together they sank beneath the waves and Libby was mesmerized. She saw fish of every conceivable color. Constantly she was touching Aron and pointing. He swam by her side enjoying her excitement.

  Libby spotted a yellow angel fish and took off after it. Aron’s attention was caught by a shiny object in the mouth of a cave. It wouldn’t hurt to investigate. He swam up to get a breath then dove back down to see what treasure he had spotted. If he found a gold doubloon, Noah would shit all over himself. Bubbles obscured his vision as he made his way to the outcropping of rocks surrounded by seaweed. Glancing over his shoulder, he made sure Libby was okay. She was high-tailing it after a brightly colored fish like the little mermaid.

  Grabbing onto a rock, he came in closer . . . Hell!

  *****

  Presley didn’t know where to look first or where to look longest. When he had said they were going to a cattle auction, she had envisioned one like a friend’s dad had taken her to in Liberty. It had been held in a rustic auction barn, with dirt floors and smelly goats and cowboys running around with prods and clipboards. The smell had been distinctive eau de manure and people had been dressed in regular western attire.