Phoebe snorted. “Well, I didn’t deserve him.” She touched her father’s arm. “I always did what you and Mama wanted of me, but I never felt like I belonged in your world.” She glanced around at her new friends. “Though I’ve only been here for a couple of days, I’ve never felt more at home and needed. I want to stay, preferably with your blessing. But, with or without it, I’m staying.”
“You have it,” her father said. “If this place makes you happy, let me help you get set up.”
Phoebe shook her head. “Thanks, but I like making it on my own.”
Her father nodded. “Fair enough. At least let me find a vehicle for you to get around in. I hate to think of you stranded on the roadside.”
“Being stranded on the roadside was where this adventure began.” With a smile, Phoebe leaned into Nash’s body. “I wouldn’t have learned what a wonderful place Hellfire, Texas, was, or the generosity of its people if the car I was driving hadn’t had a flat tire.”
Nash’s heart swelled in his chest. He couldn’t believe she was staying. Having settled things with her father, she could have chosen to take the easy life and go back to Dallas. But she wanted to stay in Hellfire.
He looped an arm around her waist and held her against him, happy and optimistic about the future for the first time since he returned from the war. Nash realized what he’d been missing in his life. Not just a place to call home, but someone to come home to.
If he played his cards right, then Phoebe could be that someone. Now all he had to do was give her time to come around to his way of thinking. He’d show her what a loving, caring family could be, and let her decide for herself if this was what she wanted.
Within minutes, the crowd dispersed, trucks leaving one by one.
Audrey glanced around at the emptying parking lot. “I say we call it a night.”
“I don’t mind working through to regular closing time,” Phoebe offered.
Nash stood by, hoping Audrey would give the girls the rest of the night off.
Audrey glanced at her watch. “Seems it’s already closing time. And I, for one, need to be home in my bed.” She winked at Jackson. “With the man I love.”
Jackson took off his hat and shouted, “Yee-haw!” Then he scooped up Audrey, careful not to disturb her injured leg. “Charli, you can lock up.”
Charli saluted. “Got it.” She turned to the others standing around. “Let’s call it a night.”
“I’m headed back to Dallas,” her father said. “Seems the only places to stay around here are booked through the weekend.”
Phoebe grinned. “It’s rodeo week.”
“That’s what they said.” Mr. Sinclair hugged his daughter. “I know I don’t show it enough, but I really do love you, Phoebe. You can always come home. Never forget that.”
“I won’t,” she whispered.
Her father climbed into his SUV with the bodyguards and left.
“Now that you’re no longer in danger, you could go back to your apartment over Lola’s garage,” Nash offered.
Phoebe took both of his hands. “What do you want me to do?”
“Uh-uh.” He shook his head. “I want you to do what you want to do.”
Taking his hand, she grinned. “Since my clothes are all at your place…I think it’s best if I stay there tonight. If that’s okay with you.”
Relief washed over him. “Babe, it’s more than okay. That goes right along with my plan.”
“Oh?” She cocked her brows. “And what plan is that?”
“To win you over with my charm and good looks.”
“Hmm. And if that doesn’t work, you can always flash your badge.” She rose on her toes and whispered in his ear, “I’m a sucker for a man in uniform.”
“And I can’t resist a runaway bride.” He scooped her into his arms and carried her to his truck, settling her on the passenger seat. Before he closed the door, he leaned inside and kissed her long and hard, sweeping his tongue across hers in a promise of more to come.
“I never thought getting stranded on the roadside could be so good,” she said, brushing a finger along his jaw.
“And I never thought coming home would ever feel right again.” He held her close for a long time, inhaling the sweetness that surrounded his auburn-haired beauty. “I didn’t know home was only missing you.”