Josh's Justice, Cowboy Romance (Bad in Boots, Book 4) Read online

  “What do you remember?”

  Sabrina felt the urgency in Josh’s steady gaze. She closed her eyes and tried to recall, but after a few seconds blew out her frustration, unable to fill the empty hole of time. “I waited for you to come to…tell you that Elise had to go out of town suddenly.” She rubbed her temple, hoping the action would help the rest come back to her.

  Nan took her shaking hand and squeezed, concern on her lined face. “I know you’re rattled. Take your time.”

  “All I remember was hearing a sound and peering outside to see what caused it. And…and…” Sabrina struggled, but it was a complete blank after that. Fear slammed into her and she started to breathe in and out in shallow breaths.

  “Calm down. Deep breaths,” Josh soothed. “You don’t remember anything else?”

  “I remember someone or something hitting me in the back of the head.” She winced at the memory flash of pain, then frowned. “But you said I was in the stables? I don’t remember going there. I don’t remember how it happened. I…I just don’t know.”

  “Inhale, Sabrina,” he said calmly.

  She inhaled to slow her breathing, then slowly shook her head. “No, I’m sorry. That’s all I remember.”

  He sighed, then looked at Nan. “The doctor won’t let her talk to the police until he’s checked her out.”

  “The police?”

  Josh nodded. “I stopped by to apologize to Elise for missing our appointment when I smelled smoke.” He met her gaze, his expression serious. “The stables were on fire and someone had shoved a stick between the door handles, locking the building from the outside. Nan told you the rest. The doctor mentioned that you have a knot on your head—so that falls in line with what you’ve said about being hit from behind. We’re not sure yet if the fire was intentional, but whoever hit you must’ve locked you in.”

  Glancing over to Nan, he said, “Would you mind getting the doc, then the police can talk to Sabrina.”

  Once Nan left to get the doctor, worry tightened Sabrina’s chest. “None of this makes any sense. Why would anyone try to hurt me? No one knows me here.”

  “Maybe you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.” His eyes darkened, churning with unfathomable intensity. “Don’t worry, Sabrina. I won’t let anyone harm you.”

  She tilted her head and for a brief second enjoyed the feeling of being watched over. “Why can’t I remember what happened during that pocket of time, yet I clearly remember what you said to me in the stall the day before when you thought I was Elise. I guess the fire doused your plans to meet with her.” When she realized how that must’ve sounded, she quickly added, “About the horse, I mean.” Well, crap! Why does it bother me so much that he cares about Elise? I just met the man for Pete’s sake!

  His eyes held hers for a long second, then he nodded. “I’ve heard being hit on the head can sometimes cause partial memory loss.”

  “Er, sorry. I didn’t mean to imply…about Elise. It’s just that—”

  “I’ve obviously been on your mind?” he suggested, a cocky half-smile tugging at his lips.

  “No, that’s not what I meant—”

  “I was the first thing you brought up.”

  Embarrassed heat rushed her cheeks. “No, seeing you brought it back. I mean—”

  “About Elise…once upon a time, maybe.” A serious look settled on his face as he clasped her hand and sat next to her. “But yesterday was the first time I’ve ever been attracted to Elise’s backside.”

  He paused and ran the pad of his thumb along the inside of her palm, his intimate touch stealing the air from her lungs despite the dull pounding in her head. “If you had any idea what I thought about doing with you the rest of the day after I laid eyes on you, you wouldn’t be questioning what woman I want to get to know on a personal level, ‘cause I sure as hell don’t.”

  His blunt confession skittered along her spine, while his electrifying touch made her heart skip several beats. Unsure how to respond without stammering even more, she was saved by Nan walking into the room accompanied by an older, silver-haired man with gold-rimmed glasses. Josh stood but stayed close as the doctor approached her bed.

  He pulled his stethoscope out of his coat and smiled, his tone upbeat, “Hi there, young lady. I’m Amos Shelton. You gave us quite a scare tonight.” Glancing at Josh, he said, “Stand back, please, and let me have a look at my patient.”

  When Josh moved away to allow him room to work, the doctor checked her out thoroughly. Once Doctor Shelton finished his exam, Josh asked him, “Is she up to going home tonight?”

  The man looked thoughtful. “She doesn’t appear to have a concussion. As long as she’s going to have someone watch out for her for the next hour or so, then I’ll release her.”

  The older man looked at her and asked, “There are police officers outside who want to ask you some questions. Are you feeling up to it? If not, I can tell them to call you tomorrow.”

  “I’m fine to answer questions,” she said. The doctor nodded, then stepped into the hall and returned with two officers in tow.

  “Hi, Miss Gentry,” the male police officer with blond hair said as he entered the room and pulled out a pad and a pen. “I’m Tom Jenkins. He nodded to the redheaded woman next to him. “And this is my partner Renee O’Hara. We’re the investigating officers on this case. Are you feeling well enough to give us a statement?”

  Sabrina ran through the exact same scenario she’d described to Josh and Nan.

  “Are you sure there’s nothing else you can remember?” the female police officer asked as she tucked a stray lock of hair that had escaped her ponytail behind her ear.

  Sabrina started to shake her head, when she remembered something unusual. “I remember carrying a lantern, but,” she paused and frowned, “I’m not sure why.

  The woman looked at her partner. “It’s possible you heard or saw something and went to investigate.”

  Sabrina raised her eyebrows. “What’s weird is I couldn’t tell you where to find a flashlight in Elise’s house, let alone a lantern.”

  “There’s an old lantern just inside the door of their stables,” Josh supplied. When they all looked at him, he shrugged. “What? I’m observant.”

  Officer O’Hara cleared her throat. “Like I said, maybe you went to investigate and stumbled on the convict who recently escaped hiding in the stables. I heard he was picked up not more than two miles from the Lonestar. They’re questioning him right now.”

  The idea that her assailant could’ve been a convicted murderer set Sabrina’s heart racing. No matter who it was, someone had tried to hurt her. As a shiver passed through her, she managed to speak. “Thank goodness you caught him.”

  “We’ll let you know once we hear back from the arresting officers if he admits to being on the Tanner’s property,” Renee said. “Just in case this man wasn’t your attacker, it’s probably best if you stay somewhere else for tonight.”

  She hadn’t thought about going back to an empty house. Even though Nan was there as early as six in the morning, she had her own place. “Oh, I guess I could check into a hotel—”

  “She’ll stay with me.”

  Sabrina turned a surprised look Josh’s way. “Um…”

  “Of course she’ll come back with me,” Nan interjected. “I’ll stay at the Lonestar in the other guest bedroom.”

  “The doc says you need to be watched for a while longer.” Josh held Sabrina’s gaze, his jaw set at a stubborn angle. “I’m a night owl.”

  “I’m…I’m not sure.” Sabrina’s gaze pinged between Josh and Nan, feeling as if she was intruding on their lives.

  “What are your wishes?” the doctor asked.

  “She’ll stay with the Kelly family,” Josh insisted in a final tone. “I’ll bring her back to the Lonestar tomorrow, Nan.”

  “Josh Kelly, I’ve never seen you be so demanding,” Nan said, eyebrows raised.

  “It’s all right, Nan.” Sabrina tried to smo
oth the obvious tension between them. “Josh earned the right to be a bit demanding tonight. I kind of don’t want to go back to the Lonestar until morning if you don’t mind.”

  When Nan nodded her understanding, the blond police officer asked Josh, “Have Colt and Elise been informed of the situation?”

  “I left a message on Colt’s cell for him to call me.”

  “Good.” He closed his notepad and tucked it in his back pocket. “Let us know when you reach him.”

  “That’s enough questions and people for now,” the doctor said, ushering the police officers out of the room.

  Once the physician closed the door, Nan pulled out a sealed plastic bag of biscuits from her oversized purse and whispered, “Are you hungry? Hospital food is never good.”

  Sabrina smiled when the doctor came back in the room and Nan quickly shoved the biscuits into her purse.

  “Okay, Nan Marie.” He rubbed his hands together. “Let’s see what goodies you’ve got stowed away in that big purse of yours. Did you really think I couldn’t smell your good cooking a mile away?”

  Just as Nan grinned and retrieved the bag of food, the phone on the nightstand rang.

  Josh answered. “Kelly here.”

  Sabrina tensed when Josh said, “Hey, Colt. She’s a bit bumped and bruised, but the doc says she’s fine. All the horses made it out okay. We’ve got them in our stables for now since yours are smoky and waterlogged. Yeah, I think once they dry out just one section will need to be repaired.”

  Josh met her gaze as he continued talking. “Someone knocked her out, then set the stables on fire. No, right now she doesn’t remember what happened. The police think Sabrina might have surprised an escaped convict who may have been hiding out in the stables.” Josh nodded and sat on the bed beside her once more. He rubbed his thumb across her palm in a slow, rhythmic motion, his gaze on hers. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on her until you and Elise get back.”

  Sabrina’s heart raced while Josh continued to touch her hand as if it was the most natural thing for him to do. The intimate way he looked at her, as if they’d known each other for years, made a slow burn of awareness flutter through her. He distracted her so much she barely noticed her headache anymore.

  Josh handed her the phone, drawing her out of her musings. “Elise wants to speak with you.”

  Sabrina took the phone. “Hello?”

  “Ohmigod, Bri, I can’t believe this happened! Are you really all right?”

  “I’m fine, Elise,” Sabrina answered in a calm voice. “How’s your dad?”

  “There was a small complication after the surgery, so I won’t be able to come home for a couple more days. I’m so sorry, Sabrina.”

  Sabrina heard the fear and regret in her friend’s voice. She squeezed Josh’s hand. “Don’t worry. Josh promised to take good care of me.”

  “Oooh, he did, did he?” Elise’s sudden interest overrode the worry in her voice. “Sounds like you’ve got him right where you want him.”

  Sabrina stared at Josh’s hand on hers. “Close.”

  “I want to hear all about it when I get back,” Elise insisted. “In the meantime, stick to Josh like glue.”

  Sabrina looked up at Josh’s handsome face, felt the tender touch of his work-roughened hand on hers, the heat of his muscular thigh against her hip and smiled. “You don’t have to tell me that twice. See you in a couple days.” Hanging up, she asked, “When can we leave?”

  Chapter Four

  The irony that she’d been saved from a fire when her father hadn’t been so lucky didn’t escape Sabrina. Instead of letting the tragic past replay in her head, she took a deep breath and focused on her rescuer as she rode beside him in his truck. Her head still felt tender, but at least it wasn’t pounding any longer thanks to the painkiller the doctor had given her.

  Josh pulled up to a large ranch house. Even though the lights were off, she could see its overall size in the starlit night. He quickly walked around to her side and opened the door for her. “We’re here.”

  Clasping her hand, he helped her out of the truck. His cowboy hat hid his expression, but she could feel his intense stare. He didn’t let go of her hand, but laced his fingers with hers and stepped so close his thighs brushed against hers.

  He literally towered over her, his broad, muscular shoulders making her feel very petite standing in front of him. “Welcome to the Double K, Sabrina.”

  He spoke with such sincerity, his tone filled with pride, it was almost as if he were saying, “Welcome home”. Regardless of how he meant it, that’s how Sabrina took his sentiment. A feeling of comfort settled over her. Laying her free hand on his chest, she inhaled his smoky, masculine scent and breathed out, “Thank you for looking out for me.”

  He cupped her cheek, running his thumb along the edge of her jaw. “I’m just glad I got there when I did. I don’t want to think about the alternative.”

  He stood so close he made every nerve in her body jump to attention. Sabrina tilted her chin higher and let out a nervous laugh. “You and me both. I kind of like living—”

  Josh’s lips touched hers, cutting her off. It was the barest brush, but Sabrina welcomed it. Breathing against his mouth, she pressed closer.

  His hand traced to the back of her head and cupped it gently. Tilting her head, he murmured, “You taste even better than I imagined,” right before he slid his tongue against hers in a slow, sensual glide, deepening their kiss.

  Sabrina’s heart thudded as his lips slanted over hers with an intensity she’d never felt with another man. The passion in his kiss lit her on fire, running to every nerve in her body in rushing, tingling waves.

  She let out a pleased sigh against his mouth and gripped his waist, tugging on his t-shirt to pull him closer.

  Josh’s chest rumbled and one hand dipped to her back, arching her closer as he stepped into her. Just as he pressed her against the truck door, the porch lights came on behind them.

  He broke their kiss and their heavy breathing comingled as he set his forehead against hers. “Damn, Brina.”

  From his heated, muscular body surrounding her to the sweet nickname he’d given her, he left her speechless and very glad she had the truck to lean on. She wasn’t sure if she’d be able to stand on her own until the fluttering in her stomach settled. No man had ever made her feel this woozy with just a kiss.

  A screen door squeaked open and Josh sighed. Curling his arm around her shoulders, he pulled her to his side and turned her toward the house.

  An older woman wearing casual gray lounge pants and a matching top stepped outside. “Hey, Josh. Nan called and told me you’d be bringing Sabrina here. I’ve put her in your old room since the guest bedroom is in shambles with the remodel. Your room is next on the to-be-renovated list,” she finished, grinning.

  “It’s about time you’re finally getting around to my room, Mom. You’re up really late.” Walking toward the house with Sabrina, he continued, “I planned to take Sabrina on to my place. Was just stopping to get extra blankets.”

  “No, sir. Not tonight,” his mother insisted while she stepped off the porch and approached them. Hooking her arm with Sabrina’s, she pulled her out of Josh’s embrace and gave her son a meaningful look. “You can sleep on the couch if you don’t want to go on to your place.”

  “Hi, Sabrina,” she said, smiling. “I’m Julia. Come with me, dear. I know you must be exhausted.”

  With Julia’s expressive eyes and wavy, short blonde hair, Sabrina saw where Josh got his good looks. Her smile reminded Sabrina of Josh’s too. As Julia led her away, she asked his mother, “Would it be possible for me to take a quick shower? I feel so grimy.” She glanced past her dirt-smudged skirt and top that smelled strongly of smoke, to her muddy sandals and grimaced.

  “Sure you can. I’ll give you something to sleep in and a change of clothes to wear back to the Lonestar tomorrow. I’m so sorry what happened tonight. I’m just thankful Josh was there to save you,” Julia ramble
d as she walked Sabrina into the house and steered her through the comfortable living room with beige and navy blue furniture and sky blue accents. Once they exited the living room, she turned down a hall.

  Stopping at the last door on the right, she opened it, then looked over her shoulder at her son, who’d followed them. “Sabrina needs rest after what she’s been through, Josh. Say good night while I get her some clothes and then it’s off to the couch with you.”

  Sabrina watched his mother walk down the hall, her steps assured as she opened a door and disappeared into one of the bedrooms.

  Despite how tired she felt, she met Josh’s gaze and smiled. “Your mother’s a lovely woman. I see you get your smile from her.”

  Josh leaned his forearm on the doorjamb and used his thumb to push back the brim of his hat. “Why, thank you, ma’am.” Purposefully drawing out his Texan drawl, he grinned wider.

  Sabrina’s pulse raced when he leaned close and his five o’clock shadow brushed against her cheek. “Sweet dreams, Brina.”

  As she watched him walk down the hall, low slung jeans formed perfectly to his nice ass, her stomach flip-flopped. Instead of following him down the hall like she wanted to, she forced herself to walk into the bedroom and wait for his mother.

  Julia returned within a minute, handing her towels, soap, shampoo, and a hairdryer along with a pair of jeans, some tennis shoes, and a white button down shirt for the next day. She’d also included a lavender ankle-length, cotton nightgown that buttoned all the way up the neck.

  Sabrina suppressed her amusement over the prim nightgown and gave Josh’s mother a smile of thanks before she headed for the bathroom.

  After she finished showering and drying her hair, she looked around Josh’s childhood room for a few minutes. Sports trophies lined the desk and certificates of achievements in athletics and academics covered the walls.

  The revolver lying in front of the mirror on his dresser drew her attention. She ran her finger along the thick coating of dust covering the Colt 45’s handle. Dust embedded in initials that had been etched in the metal. She bent close and read JK. Why was this vintage piece here instead of on display? she wondered as her gaze slid to the picture on the mirror.