The Rogue (Hideaway Springs #3)

16. Tessa

16

I ’m running out of things to do with this kid.

It rained all day yesterday, so staying in made sense.

But I can’t exactly have a repeat of the same day. The kid needs friends, a park, the frozen yogurt shop. Or even the community pool. Hell, I could sure go for a dip, myself.

But we can’t walk to those places.

And I haven’t driven since the night I put Jackson at risk.

“I know!” Wiggles calls out. “Let’s make more cookies.”

I laugh. “Again?”

Yesterday, we whipped up Bessie’s special chocolate chip cookies, the ones she makes with a generous layering of powdered sugar.

Levi’s grumpy scowl was firmly in place when he got back from the ranch just before dinner and found evidence of our sugar shenanigans on the counter. Wiggles drew a picture of a horse and wanted his daddy to see it.

“Please? I’ll be super careful not to get any on the floor.” He smiles brightly .

I narrow my eyes at him. “Fine. But first, let’s put on some sunscreen and take a walk through the ranch.”

“Again?”

“This time, we’re going to go to Pepper and Chase’s place. She said they have ice pops.”

His eyes widen. “I’m. So. In.” He races up the stairs, insisting that he’ll have two or no deal on all this walking.

If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that kid was trying to get me fired.

Not that I need help in that department.

I didn’t leave my room when I woke up this morning. I stared at the ceiling and wondered what the hell I did to this grumpy cowboy yesterday morning to make him go all one-eighty on me.

I finally ruled out asking about Jackson’s mom.

He willingly answered and I didn’t get any negative vibes after that conversation.

I finally settled on what it is.

It's me.

I’m being clingy. First, we made out, then I run into his arms because some stranger was in my kit—his— his kitchen.

Then I hop on his horse and ask about his ex?

It’s me. I’m totally doing the one thing this man made very clear he doesn’t want.

It took every bit of energy not to hop out of bed, head downstairs, and do what I do best.

Do.

Clean, cook, bake, work out—anything.

But I don’t want to keep being a problem he has to deal with in the mornings.

That’s not what he signed up for.

And I won’t be anyone’s burden.

Chase kicks the fridge shut , three beers in hand. “Let’s sit outside.”

I take one of the beers while Noah takes the other, lowering his glasses and inspecting the label.

“Would you prefer a nice rosé instead?”

My younger brother glares back at me. “There’s nothing wrong with having a nice rosé, and no.” He looks at Chase. “How old is this?”

Chase rolls his eyes, takes a swig, and steps out into the backyard.

“It’s fucking beer,” I tell him. “It doesn’t go bad.”

“Does too go bad. Sure, not as fast as say, milk, but it can still go stale from storage, even in cold temperatures.”

“Why are we out here again? I’ve been sweating my balls off all day,” I growl.

Chase glances inside. “Pepper just got all this outdoor furniture and she wants people using it. She’s apparently big on entertaining .”

“Isn’t that a deal breaker?” I laugh. “You’re not exactly a people person. ”

Noah grins and takes a swig of his stale beer. “No, but he’s a Pepper person.”

Chase lowers himself onto a patio chair. “Just sit and act like you’re comfortable, alright?”

“She’s not going to come out here with lemonade, is she?” I joke, thinking of Tessa’s easy smile and refreshing iced tea she makes for my staff.

“Fuck you,” the brunette from inside calls.

I flash her a wide grin. “Oh hey, Pepper. Patio looks great.”

“Jackass. No wonder you’re single.” She turns back inside the house with a smirk.

“Oh yeah, how’s your new nanny?” Noah asks. And I don't touch on why he thinks of Tessa at the mention of my being single.

“Just fine,” I lie.

My brothers stare at me. Fuck, Dad’s trained them. “She’s fine. Jackson adores her.”

“And you tolerate her,” Chase continues for me.

The implication pisses me off because Tessa is a heck of a lot more than tolerable .

She’s confusing.

Maddening.

Beautiful .

I don’t confirm or deny his assumption.

“Heard you’re asking Dad questions about her.”

My gaze snaps to Noah. “What?”

“Like where she’s from, what he knows about her.”

I glare at him until he breaks. “He asked me to look into her.”

I sit up. “What do you mean look into her ?”

“You know, like a background check.”

“You can’t do that without someone’s permission,” I growl .

Noah’s brows shoot to the sky. “Like…yours?”

“Like hers, dumbass.” Noah’s no dumbass. He’s the smartest attorney I know. Dad was right. If there's something on this woman out there. He'll find it.

“Relax. I didn’t find anything.”

I blink. “Nothing? Not even where she went to school, jobs?”

“Sure, there was some job history. But that’s it.”

“So, she’s clean?”

Noah stares at me like I’m a client he’s trying to intimidate. “Too clean.”

I roll my eyes. “You bored or something?”

Noah glances at Chase. “There’s a…slight gap in her history.”

I swallow the hoppy liquid. Everyone takes time off working occasionally. But something about Noah’s tone makes me ask. “How much of a gap?”

“All of it.”

“What do you mean all of it?”

“Three years ago. Just before her first appearance in Hideaway Springs. There was no trace of her. Anywhere.”

I flick my gaze to Chase and something about his expression tells me this isn’t the first he’s hearing of this. They’ve discussed this.

Without me. “Elaborate.”

“Either Tessa Banks is three years old. Or that’s not her real name.”

“You watch too many law shows.”

He shrugs and sits back. “Suit yourself. It’s not my kid she’s watching.”

“That’s enough,” Chase snaps. He’s always been a fan of Tessa. But that’s because they’re both town outcasts.

Chase by choice.

Tessa because…well, because I made her one .

“She’s only here for four more weeks. I’m not going to ask her if she lied about her name. What difference does it make?”

“You don’t want to know?” Noah probes.

Hell yeah, I want to know. I want to know why she wakes up from what’s clearly the same nightmare every morning before dawn. I want to know why she disappeared all those times only to come back when she needed a job.

Why she was desperate enough to come knocking on my door…

Why she looks lost.

I don’t want to notice that last part about her, but I do. It’s hard not to.

It’s hard not to want to wrap her in my arms when something scares her. Or be there when she wakes up so I can assure her she’s safe.

She didn’t come out this morning.

I set my own alarm and waited downstairs. When it was clear she was avoiding me, I spent the rest of it in the gym until it was time to head to the ranch.

Noah’s eyes flick to Chase. “Maybe Pepper knows something. Or…can ask?”

Our newlywed brother shakes his head. “I’m not asking her to do that.”

Noah turns to me. “Lonnie?”

I mimic Chase. “Lonnie would never sell out another woman.”

Noah winces. “Right. Sorry.”

My ex may not be trusting, and would be the first to warn me about a suspicious female in my life. But if Tessa’s running scared from something, Lonnie would take her secret to the grave.

Regardless of who she’s keeping it from .

“Doesn’t matter. Tessa’s only here until the school year starts. That’s less than a month away.” I remind myself. Like that inevitable date is coming all too quickly.

I hear the sliding doors open behind me with Pepper’s voice. “Look who’s here.”

“Dad!” I twist in my seat, catching my kid as he races up to me with red lips and a cherry ice pop in his hand.

“Hey, buddy. What are you doing here?” I look behind him, finding Tessa stepping tentatively onto the patio.

Her eyes find mine, and I take her in. Her curls hang down around her shoulders. Full red glossy lips shimmer in the sunlight. She’s in those white denim shorts and plaid shirt again. Her shoulders rise as she pushes her hands in her front pockets.

Breaking eye contact, she flicks them back to her friend. “Could’ve warned me my boss was here.”

The anxiousness in her tone makes my dick twitch in my pants.

The fuck is wrong with me?

Pepper waves her off. “Oh, please. You can’t take these guys seriously. Can I get you a beer?”

Her response comes quickly. “No. No. Water, please.”

“Dad, Dad. I’mma have a blue one next,” he tells me. “Tessa says it’s okay.”

I flick her a small grin. “Did she?”

“Not if he keeps rattin’ me out.”

Jackson turns back to me, eyes wide. “You heard nothing.”

Tessa covers her face, laughing, and follows Pepper back inside.

“Hey, Jackson. Come here.” Chase pulls my kid to stand in front of him. “You like Tessa? ”

He nods like my brother just offered him a new PlayStation. “She makes my food special. And she plays without checking her phone all the time,” he adds with an exasperated sigh.

Noah leans in. “Yeah, but what do you know about her? Besides making your plate pretty and playing games with you?”

Jackson considers the question like it’s a spelling bee. “I know that she likes a clean and organized kitchen. I know that she wakes up early because she likes the morning sky. Oh, and that she doesn’t like doors.”

Noah’s brows shoot up again. “She doesn’t like doors ?” He looks at Chase as if to say, ‘Are you hearing this?'.

Jackson jerks back like he’s offended for her. And it makes me a little proud. “She says they scare her.”

“When did she tell you that?” I ask.

My kid turns back to me. “When I told her I don’t like the dark and that’s why I have my nightlight. She told me she doesn’t like the dark either. Or doors.” His eyes widen in surprise. “Nature calls.” He races inside.

I take a swig of my beer. Wishing it was something stronger.

“Maybe she is three years old,” Chase chuckles, clearly amused.

Pepper drags Tessa back onto the patio. Pepper with her beer and my nanny with a glass of water. “So? What do you think? It’s super cute in the dark with the tree lights.”

“I love it. It’s very you. Can’t wait to see it at night.”

“What nights do you have off? I’ll call Charlie. We’ll have a girl's night.”

“And where the hell am I supposed to go?” Chase argues.

“I hear there’s a lovely little Inn in town.” She bats her lashes, and now it’s my turn to laugh at him .

“Um…I don’t know,” Tessa answers.

I tap her arm gently with the back of my hand. “You can have any night you want. I really only need you with Jackson during the days.”

Noah leans back in his seat. “That’s true. It’s not like you ever have plans.”

I ignore the dig and focus on Tess. “Really, it sounds like fun. Just let me know.”

Tessa doesn’t respond, but Pepper jumps from her seat. “Eek, I’ll call Charlie. Oh, and maybe Lonnie.”

Noah’s brows jump again, as if an opportunity presented itself.

I shoot him a warning glare.

Jackson pops his head back out. His lips now suspiciously purple and a blue popsicle in his hand. “Tess, now can we go to the park by the school?”

Tess stiffens. “Oh…um…you know…it’s going to get dark soon. We’ll go somewhere tomorrow.”

Jackson sighs and heads back in. I straighten my spine trying to remember the last place they went. The last time Jackson talked about where they’ve been. It hasn’t been in days.

That can’t be right.

Tessa stands. “I’m going to go make sure he’s not sneaking in a third popsicle…”

“Hey, Chase, can I leave Jackson here for a bit? Need to take care of something.”

Chase's eyes flick to Tessa inside. “Take your time…”

“If I’m not back in two hours, bring him back to the house.” Ignoring both my brother’s stares, I follow her inside.

“Hey, Tess,” I call softly, feeling like she tenses when I’m around.

She twirls like she expected me. “Hey. Sorry, we ran out of Italian ice at the house, and Pepper said she had some… ”

I open my mouth, but she cuts me off. “He had lunch. Chicken salad, and I cut his juice with water.”

I catch her wrists. “Tessa.” She freezes at my touch, her eyes dropping to where we’re connected. “It’s fine. I was actually going to ask if you could run a quick errand with me in town.”

“Oh. Okay, let me just grab him.”

I tighten my grip. “No. Just you and me.” I scan her outfit. One of the three I’ve seen her wear in the past week and a half she’s been here. “I need to get some new clothes for Jackson. Could use your help.”

“Sounds good.” She checks her watch. “You think we can leave him with Pepper and Chase?”

“Already taken care of.” I lead her out of the house and toward the driver’s seat of my truck.

She stiffens. “What are you doing?”

“Well, I certainly can’t drive. I’ve been drinking.”

Her chest moves up and down as I open the door for her. But she recovers quickly, leaning against the car. “You’re telling me you never drink and drive? I’ve seen you leave the Inn well after I’ve served you two to three beers.”

I try to think of another reason before I realize I don’t have to. I close the gap between us. “Tessa, get in the damn car.”

She glances back at it. “It’s too big for me.”

I lean in with a smirk. “Oh, I think you can take it.”

Her eyes heat, and I can almost feel her panties melting as she shifts with a hard swallow.

With a huff, she straightens and settles into the driver’s seat. “Alright. But I’m not paying for any damages.”

I close the door and hop around the other side .

The truck roars to life as she turns the key and sits back. Wrapping her hands around the steering wheel, she takes a breath, her breasts perking in a distracting way.

“Good.” I tease. “Think you can drive it?”

“Think you can be quiet over there? I’ve got this.” She narrows her eyes, checking the rear-view mirror. “Now, if I could just hit the pedal hard enough, I can cause optimal damage to the bed of this thing by hitting that tree back there at forty miles per hour.”

I buckle my seatbelt, calling her bluff. “Ready when you are.”

She backs out of the driveway carefully, barely breathing. Her knuckles harden around the wheel and I put my hand over hers, steering it left.

Tessa keeps her eyes on the road as she cruises through town. I quietly give her directions to Crest Lane, it’s the more expensive part of town where the boutique and fancy restaurants are. “Okay, so I’ve been a little nervous getting behind the wheel lately. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure it out.” She finds a metered parking spot and pulls over.

“Tess, you need to let it go. It was a long day. It could have happened to anyone.”

She stares ahead. “I had your kid in my car.”

I pull her hands off the wheel, making her look at me. “He’s okay.”

She sniffles sharply and pulls her hand away, unbuckling her seatbelt. “I’d rather be in the passenger’s seat.”

“Fine.” Leaning over, I scoop her up, making her squeal and settle her onto my lap. “There, you’re in the passenger’s seat.”

She wiggles over me with that raspy laugh I’ve come to love. “I meant after you’re out of it.”

I shift my pants with a groan. “Baby, you’ve got to stop moving like that.”

She freezes and glances down. “Sorry. Not about that—that was entirely your fault. I mean about everything else. ”

I grip her waist. “Tess. Don’t be so nervous.” I push her hair behind her ear. “You’re doing fine with him.”

Her eyes drop to my mouth. “I don’t think straddling my boss falls in the ‘doing fine’ category.” She swallows like she’s fighting to keep from closing the small gap between our lips.

I’m ready to close that gap. Fuck boundaries, fuck everything. “What category is it under, Tessa?”

She whimpers like she’s about to break too, and I wish she would. Fuck I wish she would crush my mouth with hers and rock these hips over me, slicing the tension building between us for the past week. “I think…it’s in the category of ‘not looking for a real-life love story’.”

Fuck.

I release a breath. Because she’s one hundred percent correct. “You’re right.” I push open the door and twist her until she’s seated comfortably on the leather seat while I slip out. “I’m sorry.” I’m still holding her hand when I lean into her, despite who might be watching nearby. “I’m taking you into these boutiques. You’re picking out several new outfits, new boots and anything else you might need for your stay here.”

She opens her mouth to protest.

“And if you argue with me, I’m making you drive home.”

She folds her arms. “That’s supposed to scare me? It’s your funeral, buddy.”

“Alright.” I peer down the street, considering something that would make it her funeral. “I’ll ban coffee in my house.”

Her eyes widen, and she hops out. “I could use a new pair of boots.”