Return Of The Prodigal Daughter [Wayback Texas Series] Read online

  To his amazement, she didn't fight him, didn't even try to break free. She relaxed into his embrace and parted her lips. He delved his tongue inside, tasting every corner of her spearmint flavored mouth. She must still be a gum chewer. Even though he'd given her up when he'd left California, it felt so perfect and right to have her in his arms again.

  Finally, she broke free, leaving him breathless and sporting a raging hard-on. If he had his way, he would pick Sherrie up and carry her back to his bed, but he was certain Max would have something to say about that. Max Porter had made it clear when Jake returned to Wayback that he was to stay away from the youngest Porter girl ... forever.

  Sherrie suddenly slapped the side of his cheek so hard that it stung. “That's for taking advantage of me."

  He gave her a half-grin. “You didn't seem to mind it so much when I was kissing you."

  "You ... Oh ... Damn it, Jake!"

  He loved the way her cheeks turned a bright crimson. Watching her open the door to her SUV, he decided that he might not be able to hold his shooting star forever, but he'd enjoy the way she shined for as long as she stayed in Wayback.

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  Chapter Two

  Sherrie stared at the brick path leading to her white clapboard childhood home. Although seven years had passed since she'd been here, the house hadn't changed at much. The rusted aluminum mailbox still stood at the foot of the path. The large black alder tree still towered over the front yard, but it was missing the tire swing. Daisy or Max must've taken that down after she'd left.

  The Porter family home didn't have palm trees, or brightly colored bird-of-paradise flowers decorating the yard, or even a balcony that faced the ocean. But the house did have Shasta daisies, delicate bunches of baby's breath, and sweet smelling catmint, which used to drive the neighborhood stray cats crazy.

  And then there was that front porch swing. How many summer nights had she sat on those white cushions rocking back and forth with Max and Daisy, counting the stars? Her first kiss took place on that swing, although it wasn't with Jake. Billy Connors, Jake's best friend, who drooled when he French kissed. Of course, it wasn't too long after Billy that she shared her first kiss with Jake. That boy was so green with envy every time she went out on a date with Billy that one day he just flat out told her she had to stop seeing Billy and start seeing him.

  I did, Sherrie recalled, strolling to the porch. She had loved Jake Serrano since she was eleven and he was fourteen. How the hell was she supposed to turn him down when he finally asked her out after her seventeenth birthday? She couldn't refuse him either, one year later, when he asked her to move to California with him.

  Although dusk was just settling in, Max had left the front porch light on for her. He'd even left the door open. Of course, Wayback was the kind of town where you could always leave the front door unlocked. She couldn't get away with that in Malibu. Heck, Sherrie had had a full high-tech security system protecting her ocean-side castle, complete with video cameras and everything.

  She pushed the oak front door open, inhaled the delicious scent of cinnamon, glanced at the hardwood floors, the paneled walls of the living room, the old family photo taken the Christmas before the car accident on the brick fireplace and smiled. Then she shouted the words she never thought she'd say, “Max, I'm home."

  * * * *

  Loretta Clary greeted Jake with a beer bottle in her hand the minute he stepped out of his truck. Daisy Duke shorts and a pink tank top clung to her toned body. Jake ignored her. Sure, he had taken Loretta to his bed on a couple of occasions, but she wasn't the blonde he wanted tonight. She wasn't even a real blonde. The dark roots had started to grow out in her poufy hair and Loretta used so much hairspray that Jake couldn't even run his fingers through her hair, like he used to do with Sherrie's.

  She stumbled his way, nearly tripping on her high-heeled leather boots. “Howdy. Care to r-ride this cowgir-r-rl-l tonight Jake?"

  Her slurred speech was hardly a turn-on. “No thanks. Not tonight. Why don't you go back inside? I'm sure Hank's in the pool hall hustling the rodeo tourists."

  She pouted, and as he watched her painted crimson lips, he thought of a more inviting pair of coral lips that tasted like spearmint.

  "Hank's no fun tonight.” She flashed him a crooked grin. “I'd like to play with you."

  He pushed her away. “Hank's your husband. I told you when I found out you're married that I don't play with married women."

  He ignored the venom-filled curses that Loretta shouted and reached for the key to the back entrance of the Cue Ball Pool Hall and Laundromat. He slipped inside, closing the door in Loretta's face.

  Maizie Malone greeted him with a smile as he walked in. The no-nonsense middle-aged woman had been the first one to offer him something to do when he'd returned to Wayback two years ago, as well as a place to hang his hat and kick up his cowboy boots. It had seemed like a great idea. He'd been running to the Cue Ball every night anyway to pick up his teenaged half-sister, and he liked Maizie and enjoyed mingling with the customers.

  "Hey Jake. Loretta was looking for you.” Maizie shook her head disapprovingly, making her dark curls bob. “I told her she oughta stick with her husband, but a woman like that will never listen."

  Jake laughed. “Don't I know it? I told her the same thing. Got someone else on my mind tonight."

  Maizie softly chuckled and winked. Her soft honey-colored eyes gleamed with merriment. Not for the first time, Jake wondered why the heck his Daddy hadn't snatched up the plucky divorcée.

  "Hmm, wonder if you're thinking about a certain model you went and left behind in California?"

  Jake laughed. “Maizie, you know me too well. Suppose the news will come out soon enough. No one can keep a secret in this little town, so I should be the one to tell you—"

  "You don't have to tell me nothin’ boy. Look on your face says it all. Sherrie's home. Right?"

  "She sure is.” He sheepishly grinned.

  Maizie swatted the back of his neck. “So where is she? How come you didn't bring her home with you?"

  "I reckon Max would have something to say about that. I broke her heart. I have no right to touch her."

  Maizie punched his arm so hard it hurt. For a little middle-aged woman, she sure knew how to hit. Jake rubbed his arm.

  "If you love her, you have every right in the world to touch her. Had you brought her here, I would have given you the night off. But since you're alone, might as well come in and guard the pool hall. It's mighty quiet tonight at least. The only one who might give you any trouble at all is Loretta, but I think she left."

  Jake nodded as he looked over the parking lot, hoping it would be a quiet night.

  "So, when are you gonna call Sherrie? I'm sure you still know the number."

  Jake scratched his chin, and then the back of his neck, until he finally blurted out, “I don't know. Maybe I'll call her tonight."

  Maizie kissed his cheek. “You'd better call her tonight, boy. Don't let Sherrie slip through your fingers again. She's one of a kind."

  She sure is, though I still think she's too good for me. He didn't speak his thoughts because he didn't want Maizie to punch him again.

  Jake took a quick look around as he entered the pool hall. Right now, the commotion of the washer and dryers from the Laundromat were drowned out by the jukebox blaring a Charlie Daniel's song. The soft glow from the stained glass chandeliers illuminated the green felt of the pool tables. Hank stood sizing up his final conquest, a gleaming black and white eight ball.

  He narrowed his gaze on the younger boy watching Hank. There was something too familiar about him. The kid wore a baseball cap sideways. Little by little, Jake started to see the small waist beneath the slouchy grey sweatshirt and black skull belt, and the thick lashes hidden behind the horn-rimmed sunglasses. That wasn't a boy. He knew his pa and grandmother would kill him if he didn't get his half-sister, Soledad, home where she belonged.

  He march
ed right up to the girl and grabbed her arm. “Soledad, honey, it's a school night."

  Soledad broke free of his grasp. “Lemme go. If Hank doesn't get that eight ball, I'll win twenty bucks."

  Jake growled and grabbed Hank's shirt collar. “Bad enough you let your wife wander around town. Now you're hustling a seventeen-year-old girl?"

  Hank glanced up from the pool table. “Girl's old enough to know better and I didn't even think she was a girl. With that short hair and the way she dresses, I thought she was a boy.” The bastard snickered. “You can't even see her tits with—"

  Jake shoved Hank into the wall. “Don't you talk about my sister that way!"

  "It's okay.” Soledad sighed and put her hand on Jake's shoulder. “Leave him be. I'll go home."

  Jake released Hank and then smiled at Soledad. “I'll walk you to the parking lot."

  Hank glared at the two of them, but when Jake sent Hank a warning glance, the burly pool shark returned his attention to the pool table. Jake protectively wrapped his arm around his half-sister's shoulder.

  "You know,” Jake said as they walked out the door together, “you can be a smart girl at times. Pa's proud of the way you're on the honor roll. Shit, if you stopped hanging around the pool tables here and sneakin’ into the ones at the Blue Bug Saloon, you'd make valedictorian."

  Soledad shrugged and frowned. “Maybe I'm too much like my mama for that."

  Jake stroked her cheek. She had her mother's eyes, but other than that she looked like a Serrano through and through. “No, I don't believe that. Go on home now. I'm sure Pa and Grannie are worried sick about you."

  * * * *

  As Jake exited the pool hall several hours later and ambled towards the stairs to his apartment, Maizie stopped him in the hallway. “Did you call Sherrie yet?"

  "Not yet. It was too loud tonight. I'll call her from home.” Jake shrugged. “Reckon I should call Pa too, just to make sure Soledad made it home okay."

  Maizie's gaze widened. “How'd that girl sneak in again without me seeing her?"

  "She's wise to your ways now. Soledad dressed like a boy tonight. She told me today that maybe she has too much of her mama in her."

  Maizie tsked. “Nonsense. Can't imagine what it was like for that poor girl, running from town to town ... making a living at bar pool tables ... What did your daddy ever see in Soledad's mama anyway?"

  Jake chuckled. “Lana Charro was a fine looking woman. She romanced Pa and then stole fifty dollars and his heart. Pa just has lousy luck when it comes to women."

  Maizie furrowed her dark brows. “Shame. Your father's one fine man."

  Jake wished Pa was here right now, so he could hear Maizie say that. Maybe someday they'd both come to their senses and figure out that sometimes the best of friends could make the best of lovers. Wasn't that how it had all started with him and Sherrie?

  "Get on home now boy and call your woman,” Maizie said, shoving him toward the steps. “And when you talk to your father, tell him I said hello."

  Jake smiled, and nodded. “I'll do just that, Maize.” Of course, he wasn't sure how Sherrie would react when he called her. But Maizie was right. He had to try.

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  Chapter Three

  Sherrie paced the living room floor while she awaited her sister's arrival. She couldn't talk to Max about the kiss with Jake. That would only piss him off enough to walk over to the Cue Ball and whale on Jake. She remembered the way Max had threatened Jake on the day she called home in tears after Jake packed his bags and left. She didn't want any trouble. Heck, she didn't even know exactly what she wanted from Jake. A wedding ring was beyond reach with him, but in her heart, she knew that the stubborn cowboy was the only man she wanted to marry.

  The passionate force with which he'd kissed her lingered in her mind. She touched her lips and slouched on to the brown leather recliner, wrapping her arms around her chest, still feeling the heat of his body and the lean muscles pressing into her. Maybe a cheap fling with Jake was all she needed—something to get him out of her system once and for all. But would she really be able to push him away after she took him to her bed?

  Max walked into the living room, with a coffee cup in his hand. He set the coffee down on the end table and placed one hand on Sherrie's shoulder. “What's wrong? Aren't you happy to be home?"

  "I was ... I mean I am.” She sighed. “I don't know. I really need to talk to Daisy. I wish she'd hurry home. She could tell me what to do about Jake."

  "Jake!” Max squeezed like a vice grip on her shoulder. “I told that no good yellow-bellied—"

  "Hush now.” Sherrie put a finger to his broad lips. “I'm a big girl. I can look after my own heart. If Jake and I start anything, well I think I'm gonna be the one to call it quits this time. I'll lay my cards on the table and if he doesn't like the hand I'm dealing, then he can go and my heart won't be broken.” Liar, liar, pants on fire.

  "If he hurts you again, let me know.” Max cracked his knuckles. “I'll keep him in line."

  The sound of her phone playing Gretchen Wilson's “Redneck Woman” rang in her pocket. Sherrie frowned as she looked at the caller ID. “It's Jake."

  Max frowned. “Suppose you want me to go?"

  Sherrie nodded.

  Max shrugged. “That's okay. I'll just call Miss Emma to see how she is."

  "Send her my love and get well soon wishes,” Sherrie called before flipping open her phone. “What do you want?” She didn't try to hide the bitterness in her tone.

  Jake gave a hearty chuckle. “I just called to see if you have any plans for tomorrow. Figured I might talk Grannie Serrano into packing a picnic for us, and then we can spend the day at Sombrero Farms."

  Sombrero Farms and Petting Zoo had been in Jake's family for years. Sherrie had fond memories of school field trips there, playing truth or dare on the farm as a preteen and never passing on any of Jake's dares, and losing her virginity in a rundown old barn with Jake after prom. How could she resist a picnic at the farm? “Sounds great to me. What time will you pick me up?"

  "Meet me on your front porch at ... What time does your brother go to work?"

  Sherrie laughed. “A big ole’ strapping cowboy who used to jump from tall buildings is afraid of my brother?"

  "Well ... He—um ... Max wasn't too keen on me seeing you the last time I talked to him."

  "That's probably my fault,” Sherrie explained. “I called home in tears on the day you left me. I told Max I've gotten over that and I'm ready to start over. But I'm calling the shots this time. I won't let you break my heart again. Do you understand that?"

  "Suppose I do. We'll just take things one day at a time."

  Sherrie wondered why Jake wanted to take things slowly this time around. That fast, urgent kiss he'd given her earlier still made her pulse race. “Sounds fine. I'll meet you on my front porch at noon tomorrow."

  * * * *

  A few minutes after Sherrie hung up, she met her frazzled looking sister at the door. “Where were you? You come gallivanting in ten minutes after I get here when you...” She broke off as she realized that Daisy's cheeks were bright red and she'd left the inn with Sam Howard.

  "I wanted to grab something from the bakery.” Daisy lifted the lid from a white cardboard box, revealing a tasty looking, extra large slice of chocolate cake. She set the box on the end table and crinkled her cute little nose. “And of course, Sam had to jump my ‘vette."

  "I thought that ‘vette I bought for your birthday was reliable. I could always buy you another car."

  Daisy frowned and collapsed into the checkered sectional sofa. “I don't need another car. I need to get Sam Howard out of my system."

  Sherrie cocked her brow. “Oh ... so you do have a thing for Mr. Smooth-Sliding-Sam? I mean I saw you with the gorgeous half naked man on the steps and—"

  Daisy crossed her legs and mumbled. “Thinks he can charm me into overlooking the fact that he sells poison for a living. Course he did work
his charms on Principal Miller, and his assembly tomorrow might not be half bad, and—"

  Sherrie shook her head, laughed, and took a seat next to Daisy. “Stop mumbling about Sam to yourself and talk to me."

  Daisy frowned. “Not much to tell."

  Sherrie sent her sister a knowing wink and nudged her elbow. “Come on. I liked Sam from the few times I spoke to him. How long has it been since you had a date? Has there been anyone since ... What was that a-hole's name again?"

  "Justin.” Daisy's brows furrowed and she trembled a bit, as if she were trying to shake off an unpleasant memory. “I make it a point not to think of him. Sam is cute, but he's not like the cowboys or clowns round here. Not like your Jake."

  Sherrie cocked her brow. “Jake's not a cowboy. He was a stuntman in California. Reckon being a rodeo clown would be the closest thing around here to stunt work."

  "He is a rodeo clown now, honey. Every weekend from May through November."

  Sherrie sighed and rolled her eyes. “Well then ... I have my hands my full with one of them right now. Jake kissed me. To top it all off, I didn't stop him. In fact, I enjoyed it. Oh, and he called just a few minutes ago. Invited me to a picnic at Sombrero Farms."

  Daisy's crystal blue eyes widened to the size of saucers as she gasped. “He kissed you and invited you on a picnic? But I thought the two of you weren't even speaking to each other. So what's changed?"

  "Nothing's changed.” Sherrie rose to her feet and paced the floor. “That's the problem. I wish I knew what to do. A part of me still loves him and always will, but another part wants to tan his hide. He broke my heart when he left. I don't want to go through that again. But truth be told, Jake's the only one for me. I dated too many pretty boy models and photographers and now all I want is Jake. What can I do? Tell me what I'm supposed to do.” Sherrie sighed and collapsed back on the sofa, searching Daisy's face for some kind of answer in those blue eyes that were so much like her own.