Just as Stubborn Read online

  Mr. Halden stood at attention. “Is this your house, son? You don’t make the rules.”

  Gabe tugged my hand, and I stumbled into him.

  “No, sir,” he said at the top of his voice. “It’s my mom’s house.”

  I felt his anger radiate into my hand and burn as his words hung in the air. Mr. Halden stood stock-still, not an eyelash batted, nor a muscle twitched.

  “Oh, Avery. Your cast. You had it removed. All is well?” Meggie called. She was probably used to ignoring the Halden stubborn streak. She did a great job at pretending Gabe didn’t get the better of his father.

  “Yes…um it’s all healed,” I said over my shoulder.

  Gabe pulled me up the sweeping staircase in a hurry. “Not so quick out of the chute, are ya? Sorry about him.”

  By the time we were out of sight, he had me around the waist and carried me into the bedroom. I didn’t object because I didn’t want his father following. However, there was a knock at the door three seconds after I sat on the bed and Gabe tossed our bags onto an armchair.

  “Miss Paulsen has requested that Miss Ross sleep in the first-floor guestroom,” said the housekeeper with a touch of smugness. “I’ll be happy to take her bag and show her. The room is made up.”

  Gabe rolled his eyes and stepped to the door. “She’ll be down in a few minutes. Thanks.”

  He shut the door and knocked his forehead into the wall with a loud thump. I ran my eyes up to his neck before he turned around and glared.

  “I bet Miss Paulsen had nothing to do with it. God, why is he such a dick?”

  * * *

  Wind kept me awake long into the early morning hours. I tried to focus my attention on Gabe moving around in his room above me. The ten-foot ceilings didn’t help my efforts. I wanted to know what he did, what he wore. If he wore anything. I pictured him getting in bed with a book or playing guitar. Was he thinking of me? He brought Eli’s guitar with him from Williston, and I spotted a few others hanging on the wall in his room. He liked to play before he went to bed. He could work himself into a zone and close out the world.

  “I was thinking about doing CPR on you,” Gabe drawled from the other side of the guestroom. “Didn’t think you were getting up this year.”

  “How long have you been in here? Your father won’t like it.” I didn’t remember falling asleep.

  “Won’t like me doing mouth to mouth or won’t like me watching you snore in that twisted up shirt?”

  “You know CPR?” I asked as I adjusted my top.

  “My dad made us learn it after Caleb almost drowned tubing in our lake when we were kids.”

  “Wait, your family really owns a lake?”

  “Yeah. And we own a river,” he replied, as if it was common.

  “You can’t own a river,” I said as I wondered if he really could. “What if your father finds you in here?”

  “He won’t. He locked himself in his office. The world might end if he don’t recover the oil fast enough. Don’t know why he didn’t just become a rancher like all the other dads around here. He’ll make an appearance at Thanksgiving. Maybe show up at the hospital to kiss his baby.”

  “The baby didn’t come, did it?” I asked.

  “Uh…nope.”

  I rolled onto my back and stretched. I caught Gabe shoving something in his shirt pocket. I assumed it was candy.

  “Let me help you with that,” Gabe said as he stood and rubbed his eyes. He had a book in the other hand.

  “When did you come in here? Did you sleep in here?”

  “I didn’t go to sleep. I’ve been to the cemetery. It’s nasty out there. Trees are down. Power’s out in town.” He came to stand beside me, and then in one yank, my covers tore off and he tossed them on the floor.

  “Do you mind?” I tugged my shirt toward my knees, but it wouldn’t stretch.

  “Yep. I mind,” he said grinning wide. “I’m minding everything just fine. Band-Aids are holding well.”

  “Come on. I don’t want to get kicked out before the baby comes. I really want to meet him. He’s going to look just like you.”

  “I can help you with a baby that looks like me if that’s what you want.”

  “Gabe! Stop it. That’s the last thing I’ll ever, ever want for a long time,” I stressed.

  He set his weight on the bed and ran his fingers into mine. “Well then, what’s the first thing you want?”

  My eyes closed, and I tried to disguise my smile with a frown. “You, Gabe. I’m not getting any younger.”

  The grin stamped on his face made me quiver. He had the most handsome, boyish smile. It unraveled me like nothing else. “So no more slow-it-down and wait-on-that and I’m-not-ready bull crap?”

  “You don’t have to be so crass. I’m ready, already—for everything.”

  “Hot damn, Av’ry. Why didn’t you tell me before? Is this your way of teasing me? Waiting to tell me this critical information under my daddy’s roof? Good god, help me,” he drawled.

  “Yep,” I said straight-faced. “I’m getting you back for obliterating my cast.”

  “Move over,” he ordered.

  “Gabe, I don’t mean now. You sound like you-know-who.”

  “Yeah, well I may look like you-know-who, but I sure don’t play like him,” he snickered and climbed over me without touching a single cell on my body. “Damn, Av’ry, I got a mighty big crush on you.”

  The knock at the door triggered him to leap off the bed.

  “Avery?” Josh called through the door. “You up?”

  “Join the party,” I said loudly.

  Gabe tossed the covers back onto me, and I snuggled underneath.

  “What’s going on? Is Meggie okay? Is it breakfast time?” I asked.

  Josh jumped when he spotted Gabe behind the door.

  “I wouldn’t get caught today, you two. He’s in a wicked pissy mood. I’m gonna hitchhike back to Williston.” Josh fell into a chair in the corner. “By the way, it’s lunchtime not breakfast.”

  “Lieutenant’s always in that mood,” Gabe said. “I can’t wait to move to the other side of the world.”

  My internal snicker went off the charts. I wished the other side of his world was Syracuse. But I had a feeling it was more like outer space. He didn’t seem content anywhere.

  “It’s lunch? Maybe you both better let me get dressed. Meggie can help our cause,” I told them.

  “She’s acting all daffy, Avery. I don’t know what’s wrong with her,” Josh groused.

  Gabe leaned on the wall beside the bed. “Uh, she’s gonna pop another kid out. I’m betting she thinks she’s got enough already,” he said. “Get lost now. We’re busy.”

  Josh got up and Gabe shoved his shoulder until he cleared the doorway. He shut the door quickly and turned the lock as I climbed out of bed and straightened the covers. He kissed the back of my neck and strung his arms around my waist.

  “Gabe, I need food.”

  I spun around to face him, lost my footing, and fell back onto the blankets. I wanted to run my hands through his hair, but he had my wrists trapped under his weight. “I need you,” he said.

  My blush must have colored me, but I tried to wish it away before he could notice. All I had on was a T-shirt that wasn’t exactly the right size. As his hands slid over my hands and onto my hips, I experienced a charge from each of his fingers as they touched my bare skin. I didn’t stop him. I closed my eyes and waited for his next move.

  “Oh heck yeah!” Caleb wailed as he lifted the bedroom window and stuck his head under the shade. I knew his voice anywhere. “Little brother finally figured out how to do it.”

  Gabe was off me in a spilt second.

  “Why are you in here?” he yelled.

  His voice cracked on the first word, and I feared he was going to knock Caleb a good one.

  “Dad ordered me down here. It’s my vacation, and he wants to ruin it.” The curtains fell back into place as he rolled on the floor and then stood up witho
ut using his arms. “Maybe I should’ve waited a little bit longer to make my grand entrance.”

  “If you had, I’d be pounding you into the carpet,” Gabe muttered.

  “So how’s the leg? Seems to be working,” Caleb jibed. “I’m not here to mess with your little play date. I caught Josh sneaking out, and he said you were in here sleeping together. It’s black as night in every direction. Completely overcast. We’re going to get hit.”

  “So you thought you’d climb in and take cover?” I asked.

  “Go chase yourself back to Williston,” Gabe told his brother. He stole that line from me.

  * * *

  “This is so…wow,” I told Aunt Meggie when I found her upstairs after Gabe snuck out so that his father couldn’t find him. I made him promise not to fight with Caleb. Meggie glided in her state-of-the-art rocking chair in the center of the suite. It played lullaby music and worked on a motor just like a baby swing. “I wasn’t expecting a showroom. Brianna never had anything like this.”

  She danced her fingers over her belly as she studied the nursery.

  “That man doesn’t listen. This baby is going to grow up in North Dakota just like Josh. I know it’s not the ideal place right now, but the industry will level off and the dust will settle. As long as Joel continues to drown in a pool of black gold, I’m not going to hang out and play housewife in his castle. I have my boys up north to look after. The old farmhouse is pretty spiffy now, don’t ya think?”

  I touched a picture frame on the dresser and smiled at the image of Aunt Meggie standing in front of a red, white and blue tent with Willie Nelson and Mr. Halden on each side of her. I remembered Gabe saying something about Willie holding a benefit concert earlier in the fall. Meggie nodded at the photo and grinned until she was blushing. It looked like a recent photo from the size of her belly.

  “Yeah. I couldn’t believe it. Gabe said you own all of the acres surrounding the house now too.”

  “Yep. Got them fair and square when Barrett pleaded to all of his swindling. His father left the country, left him to fend alone. I was glad the boys didn’t have to testify. Actually Josh owns the land and minerals. It’s in his name. But I’m not telling him he’s got a share in all of that oil business until he’s ready. It’ll be my concession for all of the secrets.”

  I guess she didn’t realize she was keeping even more secrets.

  “Aunt Meggie? Are you going to get married?”

  “There you are.” Gabe poked his head inside the nursery but didn’t step in. Boys didn’t get excited over miniature toys and baby clothes. “Soup’s on. Want it carted up here?”

  “Thanks, but I’ll get up. I need to keep walking that staircase,” Meggie told him. “I’m so hungry I’ll eat anything that won’t eat me first. But while I have you both, I need a minute.”

  Gabe leaned on the doorjamb. With his sleeves rolled to his elbows, he looked relaxed and cool. I stood up and crossed my arms over my shirt. Based on her expression, Meggie didn’t have good news. She wore her lecture face.

  “About what?” I said.

  “Apparently Joel has it in his thick head that he’d be doing you a disservice by letting you stay for the holiday. I argued, but believe me, he wasn’t listening. He’s been worked up. I know it isn’t just the baby. Eli is on his mind, but he won’t talk about him. I spoke with your mom, and she’s fine with you taking the jet back. Joel made arrangements with his pilot for this evening or tomorrow morning, depending on the storm. Gabe’s welcome to ride with you there and then return. I made your mom promise to cool her jets.”

  “This is ridiculous. If she goes, I go. And I won’t be coming back,” Gabe threatened.

  I could tell he was itching for a reason to confront his father.

  “This isn’t the best time to aggravate him. There was another break-in this morning at one of the corporate hubs near the Mountrail line. He’s got a lot on his plate. I know he wants all of you boys here to discuss something important.”

  Meggie tried to push herself out of the rocker. I lent her a hand. “Thanks, kiddo.”

  I looked to Gabe to see if he was going to mention the broken lock on Meggie’s office. But he didn’t.

  “He don’t care if Av’ry stays here or not. He just likes to piss on me.”

  Meggie bit her lip and closed her eyes so she wouldn’t say anything. I wondered if Gabe’s father was planning to announce their wedding date.

  “Where y’all going?” Caleb called up to the balcony when he saw Gabe launch his bag down the stairs a few minutes later. “Lunch is on.”

  “Let’s just eat first,” I suggested to Gabe. “Then we’ll figure this out.”

  “What’s to figure out?”

  “Come on, legs,” Caleb insisted. “Leave the poor boy to his moping.”

  Meggie waddled into the dining room, followed by her nurse midwife. Her eyes lit up at the site of the lunch spread.

  “Here, sit down.” I pulled out a chair before the nurse could beat me to it.

  “Caleb, I need you to keep an eye on Josh. I can’t have him getting in trouble this week,” Meggie told him.

  As I looked up, Caleb winked at me. “No problemo. I was thinking about running over to the Knox County Fall Festival tonight if the weather lifts, and then I’ll hit up some titty bars.”

  “Caleb Halden! Don’t you dare drag my kid’s fanny anywhere near that type of joint. I’m serious as a heart attack.”

  He tipped his chin and glared through his long lashes. “I won’t do no such thing, ma’am. Now what’s this I hear about Avery making a U-turn?”

  “She’s not.” Gabe stood up and toppled his chair.

  “Gabe, please,” Meggie pleaded. “I want her to stay as much as you do.”

  “Who’s the boss here?” Caleb asked Meggie. “Can’t you tell him no?”

  “Please, Caleb. Don’t get involved,” Meggie said.

  “I’m not staying either,” Gabe blurted.

  “Excuse my tardiness,” Mr. Halden said briskly as he marched to his seat beside Meggie. He kissed the top of her head before he sat down. “It never fails that urgent matters arise the moment we all leave the state.”

  Meggie made warning eyes at the boys.

  “Excuse me for leaving,” Gabe said as he slipped his hand under my elbow and pulled up.

  “Sit down, son.” Mr. Halden motioned to the chair.

  “If she’s not welcome, sir, then I’m not your son,” Gabe replied.

  Mr. Halden’s posture stiffened.

  “Miss Ross is more than welcome to dine and spend the night again. But her parents are expecting her on a flight once the weather turns.”

  “I don’t get why you wanna get rid of her so fast? What’s she done to you?”

  “Gabe,” I hissed, embarrassed as he tugged me to my feet. I flung my napkin onto my plate.

  “No. C’mon,” Gabe ordered.

  “Gabriel,” Meggie said softly and looked down at her lap. “Please don’t start—” Her voice trailed off, and my eyes shot to her face.

  “Aunt Meggie?” I asked.

  “Margareta. Is it the baby?”

  She nodded in slow motion, lifting her head slightly and then dropping it to her chest. Caleb and Mr. Halden stood. Without even passing his eyes across the table, Gabe released my elbow and took off for the hallway.

  “Gabe? Where are you going?” I called after him. When he didn’t answer, I followed.

  He slung his bag over a shoulder. He had a foot out the door.

  “Anywhere on the freaking planet but here.”

  A lump grew in my throat.

  “I think something’s wrong with Meggie. You can’t leave,” I told him.

  “You can’t stay,” he sneered, his voice laced with bitterness. “Get your bag. Tornados are coming. I’m hitting the road now.”

  “What about Meggie? Please don’t do this.” My arms felt pulled in two directions by invisible ropes.

  Gabe let his bag hit the g
round with a loud thump, and he slid a foot toward me and frowned. “I’m not staying here, Av’ry. You can come with me or not.”

  “But there’s a tornado warning and the baby is coming.”

  “Jeezus, Av’ry. Why the heck did you come out to Williston in the first place?”

  I dropped my shoulders and blew out my breath. He was roaring to go, while I was of two minds. But as I stared at the boy with his gloomy hazel eyes and pursed lips, I knew exactly why I came.

  I came for him—for all of him.

  “What about your guitar?” I asked.

  He pulled the sizable door open, and a gale smacked him so hard his hat flipped off. I thought I heard a laugh. “There’s more where we’re going. It’s safer here for now.”

  I filled my lungs with stormy Texas air as I spotted the wall of black moving in like a blanket. Debris and foliage pitched through the yard.

  “Where are we going if it’s safer for a guitar here?”

  Gabe swung his eyes around and they widened almost gleefully.

  “Camping.”

  Three

  I learned two things as we escaped the Halden estate. Tumbleweed was a real thing. And Gabe hated being around his father more than I hated being home under strict rules.

  We were hitting the road, and I didn’t know if we were going to stop before we reached an ocean. Just short of the gates, I braced. I was sure the sky would open up and dump hail on the truck, but it only grew darker and more upsetting. Oddly the wind let up some as we headed toward the dark curtain.

  “We can’t camp in a storm like this. I’m not sleeping in a tent in this weather.” I shifted around a pile of books Gabe had stacked on the seat sometime between arriving and leaving the mansion.

  “I got supplies in the toolbox and some tarps. We’ll be fine.”

  “Fine in a tornado?” I questioned. “Are you kidding? Supplies won’t keep us safe.”

  “There’s shelter at the lake.”

  I didn’t bother to ask to what lake he was referring. I set my head against the window and watched the dust and rubble dance on the road. I trusted his judgment, but I was bummed I was going to miss the baby’s birth.