Like Lightning (6 page)

“Turn the water
off,
Uncle Monty.” She heard him shout from the bathroom, clearly irritated.

Her curiosity heightened, Maddie headed into the smaller bathroom where all the noise was coming from. She found Trey facing a broken out wall, holding together a galvanized pipe with both hands, trying to keep the leak from sprouting again.
“Off,”
he shouted out the window.

Maddie giggled.

Trey turned in surprise, releasing his hands slightly.

Water rained out, spurting him in the face and shoulders. Within seconds, Trey Walker was drenched, the leaky pipe gushing out until finally and apparently, his Uncle Monty had turned the water
off.

Trey's hair hung in wet clumps around his head. Water plastered his T-shirt to his chest and the top half of his blue jeans were saturated.

Maddie couldn't hold back any longer. She laughed heartily at the sight of Trey looking like a soaked scruffy pup. “Having trouble?” she asked, with a grin.

“You might say that,” Trey growled. “My uncle
doesn't seem to know the difference between ‘on' and ‘off' and why the heck are you laughing?”

Maddie turned to the cabinet to get Trey a towel. “Because you look like—”

But when Maddie turned back around, she found Trey removing his T-shirt, the material stretching over his smooth wet skin in one quick movement. He tossed the shirt into the bathtub and ran a hand through his hair, slicking back the dark strands until he looked better than a
GQ
model in blue jeans.

Maddie swallowed, trying to keep her expression from faltering. She'd seen Trey shirtless before and admittedly it had been glorious, but he hadn't been wet, with droplets falling from his hair onto his shoulders, with water licking at the scattering of hairs on his chest until a puddle developed in his navel.

Goodness. Maddie was certain there wasn't a more appealing man on the face of the earth.

“Like what?” he asked, his growl simmering, a curious expression taking over.

Maddie balled up the towel and approached him. “Like a mangy old mutt I once treated,” she fibbed, holding her breath as she dabbed at his powerfully built, solid chest.

He stared at her, his voice holding a hint of disbelief. “An old mutt?”

She nodded, continuing to dab at him. “Uh-huh. Poor thing had fallen into the river.”

Maddie couldn't bear it another second. Touching Trey this intimately had just about done her in. She'd held up well, she thought, considering that she was mere minutes from jumping the man's bones. “All finished,” she said, thrusting the towel into his arms. She took a step to back away but Trey let the towel drop to the
ground and grabbed her wrists, tugging her gently closer.

He grinned mischievously, “Not quite.”

Before Maddie knew what had happened, Trey reached down into the rain bucket used to catch the leak, and splashed her with handful after handful of water. “Trey!”

Maddie backed away and stared down at her clothes, which were fully and completely drenched.

This time, he laughed. “The mangy mutt wanted a companion.” Then he came closer, grabbing a dry towel. “Here,” he said, approaching her. “Fair is fair.” He dabbed at her face, taking care to dry her cheeks, mouth and chin. Then he sent a searing look down past her shoulders. “If you toss off your blouse, I'll do your chest,” he offered softly. “Just like you did mine.”

Fleeting forbidden thoughts of Trey patting her naked body dry flashed in her head and she realized she'd never had a better offer in her life. She grabbed the towel out of his hands, “Not a chance, cowboy.”

Trey threw his head back and laughed even more, stepping back and away from her.

“Well, what have we here?” Monty Walker asked, catching the two of them red-handed. Guilt washed over Maddie in waves. She glanced at the floor. “Hi there, Monty.”

Trey still had laughter in his voice when he volunteered, “Maddie was teaching me the finer points of plumbing.”

Monty glanced from Trey to Maddie. “That so?” Then he added, “Well, somebody's got to.” He winked at Maddie. “The man's an expert horseman, but doesn't know diddly about fixing a leak.”

Trey stood next to Monty, putting an arm around his shoulder. “At least I know which way is…off.”

“Oh, that. I was just funning with you.”

Trey's expression went bleak the second he realized what the older man had done.

Maddie giggled again.

“The woman loves to laugh at me,” Trey said to Monty. “But I'll get back at her when I cook dinner tonight.”

“Oh,” Maddie said, realizing she'd forgotten to tell Trey she wouldn't be home tonight. “Guess I'm getting off easy then. I won't be home for dinner.”

Trey nodded. “A late-night house call?”

Maddie shook her head. “Not tonight. I have a date.”

T
rey sat in a booth at the Hungry Wrangler Café with his uncle Monty and his cousin, Jack. He and Jack were about the same age and had been more like brothers than cousins while growing up. Trey pushed around his food on the plate, while the other two ate with gusto.

“Ain't you hungry, boy?” Uncle Monty asked, eyeing Trey's half-eaten steak. The retired sheriff of Hope Wells pulled no punches. He spoke his mind. Most of the time, Trey enjoyed his uncle's antics, but tonight he wasn't in the mood. Common courtesy and a true measure of gratefulness had Trey offering to treat his uncle to dinner. He'd worked most of the morning and half the afternoon fixing that doggone leak.

“Have at it,” he said, sliding the plate his way. “Guess I'm not that hungry after all.”

Jack glanced up from his meal and cast him an inquisitive look. “You sick or something?”

Jack Walker wore his uniform proudly. He'd just been reelected as sheriff of Hope Wells. First Monty, then Jack—between the two they had five decades of law enforcement under their belts.

“No, I'm not sick, just not very hungry.” He sipped his iced tea.

Uncle Monty grunted as he stabbed at Trey's steak. “The man's lovesick, if you ask me.”

Jack's brows rose, his expression none too subtle. “That pretty little Dr. Maddie getting under your skin?”

Uncle Monty didn't give him time to answer. He chimed in, “Under his skin? The boy wants her under his
sheets
. Should have seen his face when she told him she had a date tonight.”

“Turned green, did he?” Jack jested.

Trey slammed down his glass. They were having too much fun at his expense. “Enough!”

Monty and Jack looked at one another then burst out laughing. Trey waited until their laughter died down. “You through now?”

Both men nodded. “Good, because I'll say this only once. Nothing's going on between Maddie and me. We made a business deal and we're sticking to it.”

Uncle Monty lifted his fork and pointed it his way. “Yeah, monkey business. Looked like you two were having a wet T-shirt contest when I walked in this morning.”

Trey ground his teeth. “That wouldn't have happened if you had turned the water
off.
”

Monty scratched behind his ear. “She sure is cute.”

Jack nodded. “Is she seeing anyone in particular?”

Trey shook his head. “I don't know. We don't discuss things like that.” But he had to admit he was dying to know where she was tonight and with whom.

“Maybe I should give her a call,” Jack said, his expression thoughtful.

“You don't own any animals,” Trey reminded.

Jack smiled. “Maybe it's time I get one.”

Trey glared at his cousin, but wouldn't give an inch. He and Jack had had a friendly competition going ever since they were young boys. Trey hated to admit the sensations washing over him. He wouldn't put a name to them and he wouldn't get caught up in his cousin's game. He shrugged. “Fine by me.”

“It really cost you to say that, didn't it?” Jack asked with a big grin. But before Trey could make a denial, Jack added, all manner of jesting aside, “Look, I'm not going to call her, but if you're interested, I wouldn't hesitate. Maddie's got a lot going for her and some lucky guy is bound to discover that soon.”

“She deserves to be happy,” Trey said truthfully.

“Dang it, Trey. You're holding on to that ‘Walker Curse' thing, aren't you?”

Trey stared at his cousin. Jack had no idea how many women had been hurt by the Walker men in his family. His cousin had no idea how bad Trey was at commitment. He had no idea how strongly he felt about this subject. Trey's mind was made up. He spoke with slow deliberation. “You come from a family who uphold the law. Your heritage is different than mine, cousin. I come from a long line of men who break hearts. True, we have the same grandfather, but his traits didn't seem to rub off on you.”

“We don't know that yet.”

Jack was true blue. Jack wouldn't ever let down anyone he loved. Trey was sure of his cousin. “I know you. You're as loyal as they come. And besides, you both
have it all wrong. Yes, I'm in a sour mood tonight, but not because of anything having to do with Maddie.”

“Then why?” Jack asked.

Trey frowned. “Because your father told me this afternoon that eventually, sooner more than later, I'm going to have to replace all the old galvanized pipes at the house with copper. Seems my plumbing is somewhat out of date.”

Monty grinned, his gray-blue eyes twinkling. “Hell boy, that's what we've been trying to tell you.”

 

Maddie stood by Storm's corral, eyeing the stallion in the moonlight. She'd noticed once again that Trey wasn't home, giving her the perfect chance to work with the feisty horse. She'd been sneaking out here for the past four nights, ever since her dinner date with Caroline and little Annabelle last Saturday night. And during those nights, Storm had been guarded but every so often Maddie would see a spark of change, a subtle softening in Storm's demeanor that had encouraged Maddie to continue to gain the horse's trust.

Maddie had used treats, but she also depended on her innate ability to read an animal and she sensed that Storm was getting ready to accept her. Each night, Maddie approached with caution. Storm, too, approached warily. Last night, Storm had actually taken the sugar cubes from her hand.

Tonight, she merely stood by the fence and watched as Storm pranced, snorted and then raced around the perimeter of the corral, all the while communicating with Maddie in a language she truly did understand.

When he'd finished his exercise, he stopped and stared. Then ever so slowly, he approached the fence
where Maddie stood. “Are you glad to see me again?” she asked softly. “Well, I'm sure glad to see you.”

He came right up to the fence and Maddie stepped upon the bottom rung in order to reach him. “Hey, boy,” she whispered into the still night and reached her hand out to stroke his ink black mane. Then bravely, and only because she sensed he was ready, she ran her hand smoothly down his snout.

The horse lifted his head in a quick movement, but he didn't back away. Maddie stroked him once more, continuing to speak to him in a soft soothing tone.

When Maddie heard Trey's truck in the distance, she jumped down from the fence and said farewell to Storm. “See you tomorrow night.” Unable to make her escape into the house without seeming obvious, she stood by the front porch as the truck came to a stop a short distance away. To her surprise, a pretty young woman who was at least six months pregnant exited the driver's seat. Trey got out of the passenger's side, and the woman strolled over to him and reached for his hand. They stood there speaking quietly for a few minutes.

Maddie's heart took an elevator ride down to her toes. Her gut clenched involuntarily and feelings she thought she had under control emerged with raw clarity. Seeing Trey with another woman, one he might have an involvement with, knocked her for a giant-size loop. All sorts of images popped into her head, and none of the scenarios she came up with helped to ease her mind. She didn't know who this woman was and she decided she couldn't bear to know. Not tonight. Not with the realization that Trey hadn't come home for dinner in the past four nights.

Maddie made a move to enter the house, but the woman caught sight of her and called out, “Hi there.”

Maddie turned to find the woman heading her way, with Trey beside her. “Hello.”

The woman was even prettier up close, a young Texas lady through and through, with deep blue eyes and long blond hair. “I've been meaning to get out here to say hello. Sorry to hear about your office burning down. My name is Brittany Fuller. I'm a friend of Trey's.”

“Nice to meet you, Brittany. I'm Maddie Brooks.”

“I know. Trey's always talking about you. He says you're a real good veterinarian.”

Maddie glanced at Trey who appeared darn uncomfortable, his tanned face taking on color. She shrugged. “I love working with animals.”

“I had to drive Trey home,” the pregnant woman offered, smiling at him. “No offense, Trey. But you're one stubborn man.” Then she explained to Maddie, “He hurt his hand working on my baby's new room. A beam of wood fell down and when Trey tried to catch it he got splintered up.”

For the first time since he'd walked up, Maddie took a really good look at Trey. And suddenly she understood the expression on his face. Pain. She peered down at his right hand. “Oh! That doesn't look good at all.”

Gently she reached for his hand to get a better look. Holding his hand in her palm, she noted where five or six long splinters had been hastily removed, the hand puffy, swollen and red.

“Paul and I wouldn't let Trey drive home. Though he did argue some.”

Maddie glanced up. “Paul?”

“My husband. He'll be here in a minute. Paul and Trey have been friends just about forever, I guess. And
when Paul hurt his back a few days ago, Trey came over first thing to help finish up the room.” She patted her rounded belly. “Our baby will be here before you know it.”

“Oh,” Maddie said, dumbfounded. This was almost too much information to digest all at once. All of her initial suspicions about Trey and this woman were unfounded. She'd let jealousy rule out over reason. This woman and her husband were his friends. Trey had been doing a good deed and Brittany had driven him home because he'd gotten hurt. “Well, congratulations on the baby. Do you know what you're having?”

She shook her head. “We want to be surprised.”

“That's nice. I wouldn't want to know, either,” she said, realizing this was the first time she'd really given any thought to having a child. Suddenly it was clear that she did want children. And she too wanted to be surprised. “I hope your husband's back injury isn't too serious.”

“The doctor told him to rest up a bit, but Paul's a stubborn one, too, and wouldn't stop, so Trey decided to come over and do the heavy work. Wouldn't take no for an answer. Even my thrown-together suppers didn't scare him away.”

“Your suppers are delicious, Brit,” Trey said with sincerity.

She smiled softly. “But now
you're
hurt, too.”

“It's not that bad.”

Maddie disagreed, “It looks kind of bad, Trey. Maybe you should see a doctor.”

He twisted his mouth, lifting his hand up. “For this? No way.”

“I was hoping…” Brittany said to Maddie, a look of concern on her face.

“Of course,” Maddie said instantly, fully comprehending. “I'll patch him up.”

Trey shook his head. “There's nothing to patch up.”

“Yes, there is,” both women chorused.

And before Trey could argue, Brittany's husband pulled up in a white Ford Explorer. “Looks like my ride's here,” she said, and after Maddie had been introduced to Paul, Brittany got into the car and waved farewell.

Maddie turned back to Trey.

“There's nothing to patch up,” he said stubbornly.

 

“Sit down, Trey, and don't be a baby,” Maddie said softly, pointing to the kitchen chair. She'd gathered up her medical supplies and was ready.

“I don't need any doctoring, Maddie,” he said again, but the woman wouldn't take no for an answer.

She stared at him with expectant eyes, so pretty, so dewy-grass-green, so
determined.
She'd accused him of packing a wallop the other day, but she was guilty of the same. One look at her sweetly concerned face had him sitting, obeying like a small puppy at obedience school.

Trey didn't want her to doctor him. He didn't want her anywhere near him. She was too much of a temptation, too much of a distraction. He'd been trying to keep his distance, but living under the same roof with her made it damn difficult. Every time he got close to Maddie, he would do something stupid, like taking her into his arms and kissing her.

Maddie set a bowl of warm water down on the table then took a seat close to him and the subtle scent of raspberries wafted by. She lifted his hand and set it into the water. “We'll let it soak for a while.”

She opened his hand carefully and with delicate care massaged his fingers. She stroked gently, easing soreness and bringing back circulation. It felt good, damn good. Trey closed his eyes and let the sensations run through his body. Maddie had a great touch. Maybe too great, he thought, because circulation began to build in another area of his body as well. He cursed under his breath.

“Does it hurt?” she asked immediately, lifting her head from the task.

“No.”

“I thought I heard you groan.”

Trey kept silent.

“I'm going to dry your hand, put on an antiseptic and wrap it.”

“I can't work with it wrapped.”

Maddie smiled. “So you'll take the day off tomorrow.”

“I don't take days off, Maddie. Not when I'm running the ranch on a shoestring.”

Maddie shook her head, her doctoring instincts taking hold. She spoke in a stern voice, one Trey had never heard before. “You're lucky you don't need stitches, Trey. Those wood bits ripped your hand up real good going in, and whoever yanked them out ripped your hand up again.”

Again, Trey was silent.

Maddie read straight through his poker face.

“Let me guess, you're the one who pulled out those splinters.”

“Good guess.”

She sighed. “Trey.”

Trey leaned back in the chair, crossing his leg over his knee and watched as Maddie administered to his
hand. With her head bent to the task, Trey stared at her coppery hair falling in soft waves onto her shoulders. She held him so carefully, mindful when the antiseptic stung and lifting apologetic eyes his way. She took gauze out of her medical bag, placing it over the wound then wrapped his hand with surgical tape, taking her time, using her skills as a healer.