Josh's Challenge Read online

  Josh pressed his lips together, debating whether he should tell her. “Do you remember Mom’s Yorkie?”

  Lauren nodded, rolling her hand for him to hurry up and get to the point.

  “Her name was Missy, and the damn thing yapped constantly.”

  Lauren burst out laughing. “You won’t call her by her nickname because it reminds you of the dog?”

  “Yup.”

  “Well, you’re right. Missy is no dog. Her sister, on the other hand, could be described as a female dog, but I won’t go there.”

  Josh rolled his eyes. “Please don’t. Dane is in the house, and I know that your opinion of his niece hurts his feelings.”

  Lauren folded her arms with a pout. Josh noticed the perspiration on her temples and led her into the shade under the pergola where wisteria vines, thick with green leaves, covered the steel structure. A few pink blooms still hung here and there, despite it being the middle of June. Nevada’s growing season was often thrown off by harsh springs and late frosts. Established plants, like this wisteria, often acclimated themselves, blooming whenever the hell they felt like it. A warm breeze lifted one of her blonde tendrils, and Lauren stuck it behind her ear. “How long have you had a crush on Missy?” she asked quietly.

  Josh wasn’t willing to admit how he felt about Melissa Theroux. He always got the girl in the end, but maybe with this girl, he’d gone about things the wrong way.

  Lauren gave him a kiss on the cheek, startling him. “Jeez, Josh, you should’ve said something sooner. We could’ve been commiserating together all these years,” she said with a chuckle. “Me over Jarod and you over Missy.”

  “Fuzzy slippers and wine coolers while we did each other’s hair and makeup? I love you, Sassy, but no thanks.”

  Lauren punched him in the arm. “I’m totally insulted right now. I thought you knew me better than that. I take my frustrations out at the firing range.”

  Surprised by her outburst, he gave her a quick hug. “You’re right. I should’ve told you how I felt about her sooner.”

  Lauren was about to speak when she was carefully removed from Josh’s arms. “Will you quit manhandling everyone else’s wives and get one of your own, please?” Jarod asked with a warning glare that no one took seriously anymore.

  “I think he’s working on it,” said Jason, who shoulder-checked Josh after coming through the French doors behind them. He carried a platter of steaks and was followed by Melissa, who carried her own platter of foil-wrapped potatoes. She smiled shyly at them on her way to the grill.

  “’S that right?” Jarod asked, a wicked gleam in his eye.

  “Shut up, Jarod,” Josh muttered.

  Lauren, God bless her, poked her husband in the ribs. “Don’t blow it for him, honey. He’s got his work cut out for him. I have faith in you, Josh.”

  “Thanks,” Josh muttered, rolling his eyes heavenward, praying Melissa hadn’t heard them.

  Jarod finally moved Lauren to the patio table, giving Josh a moment to study Melissa. She seemed to interact easily with Jason, who was by far the most intimidating of the brothers. She’d been confident while performing the procedure on the cow, but now her hands were shaking. He wondered if it was the news of the stalker that was bothering her, or just being around his big family.

  “Are you mad at Missy, Huncle Josh?”

  Jessica wrapped herself around his leg while trying to get both of her tiny feet on top of his large, booted foot. When he shot her a grin, she released his leg to lift her arms in the universal sign to all adults that this child would like to be picked up. Only too happy to oblige, he lifted the little beauty into his arms and kissed her soundly on the cheek. She settled herself by putting her small arms around his neck and graced him with her sweet smile. Even though she’d put on weight since arriving last October, she was still small for her age, no doubt a consequence of her biological mother’s drug addiction. Josh made himself ignore that ugly thought. Jessica’s start in life had been a scary one, born to Jarod’s ex-wife who had lived a criminal lifestyle. Miranda was dead and, thankfully, Jessica was now with his family, safe and loved. When the kitten began to hobble between Josh’s legs, he realized that the pair had a lot in common.

  “Why would you think I was mad?”

  “’Cuz yer lookin’ at her like you look at Char-lee right b’fore ya bop him one.”

  Josh couldn’t contain his laugh. Jessica’s personality was bigger than all three of the brothers put together. “Well, I promise I’m not thinking of bopping Melissa.”

  “Good. ’Cuz she saved Ruby, an’ her mama.”

  “That she did, princess.”

  He carried Jessica to the table where everyone had gathered and deposited her in the seat next to Lauren. Julie was sitting closest to the barbecue, directing her husband on how to cook the steaks. Even in a cushioned chair with her swollen feet on an ottoman, she looked uncomfortable as her hands rubbed circles around her large belly. His father and Dane were conversing at the other end of the table with Doc and Jarod, who had his arm around the back of Lauren’s chair, while Lauren helped Jessica get settled. Josh suspected the empty chair on the other side was for Charlie, whom Jessica adored. Charlie was helping Camille set the table. Each time one of them would pass Julie, they would pat her shoulder or kiss her head.

  She looks miserable, Josh thought to himself. Her belly was too big for her size, and he was worried about her.

  His brothers had each married one of Josh’s best friends, and now both were pregnant with his nieces or nephews. Josh was lucky that he had such a loving family, but recently he’d been feeling a little left out. That was not something he was used to.

  The outdoor kitchen was just as big as the one inside, complete with all the amenities of a kitchen, including a set of cupboards for dishes. Camille King, his mother, was a stickler when it came to gatherings and events. She was prepared for any scenario, including outdoor family barbecues. Speaking of which, Jason and Melissa were still working together at the grill, and it ticked Josh off that his brother was spending so much time with her today. Shouldn’t Jason be more attentive to his pregnant wife?

  He pulled out a chair for himself, but when his mother subtly cleared her throat and indicated with her chin that he should sit one chair over, next to Melissa’s seat, he quickly switched. He caught his mother’s eye and she winked. Hmm, her record for matchmaking was two for two, so he would take whatever help she would give him.

  Maybe he wasn’t so left out after all.

  AFTER THE MEAL, Ginger lay curled on Missy’s lap while Doc, her Uncle Dane, and the Kings conversed around her. The kitten’s stuttering purr was therapeutic, hypnotizing her out of the social anxiety that was always lurking close by. How she’d ended up at the grill with Jason, she wasn’t sure. She’d remembered her manners and asked if she could help, assuming that Camille would task her with setting the large patio table. However, that hadn’t been the case. Julie had immediately begun instructing her on how to fix the potatoes. Honestly, if a person didn’t know how to wrap foil around a potato, they had to be an idiot. Before she could tell Julie that she had it handled, Jason had leaned into Missy’s ear and whispered, “She’s a chef who’s on the DL, doctor’s orders. Just go with it. Charlie will distract her in a minute.” He’d winked, sending a beet-red blush to Missy’s cheeks. Josh wasn’t the only handsome King in the bunch. The three brothers together were overwhelming to the senses. Eye candy didn’t quite cover it.

  Melissa’s expertise was with animals, not humans. However, judging by the size of Julie’s burden and the weary expression that was clouding her pretty face, either her due date had been miscalculated or she was going to give birth to a very large baby King. Considering Jason’s size, the latter was most likely the answer. All of the brothers were big, muscular men who resembled their father, but Jason was the biggest of the three and looked more like his mother with those amazing green eyes. Whether the baby came early or was just large, their child would
be beautiful.

  Missy was sitting next to Josh. She covertly studied him while he was engaged in a discussion about sports with Charlie, who sat across from them. Josh, too, was a big man who filled his padded chair to the limit with solid, tattooed muscle. Sunlight poured through the vine-covered pergola, creating stripes across his eyes and making their sapphire blue blaze like fire in the late afternoon. Josh was by far the most handsome man she’d ever known. Sitting this close to him made her sweat. Thank God for the summer heat. She could blame the unwanted perspiration on the season and not on his heavenly cologne floating on the breeze, or the way his voice hummed over her ears, or how his shirt clung to his hard chest. She continued to pet Ginger with shaking hands. Thankfully, the kitten was affectionate and not one of those cats that wanted precise petting, biting you if you stroked its fur one too many times, or not enough. Missy wouldn’t have made it through the meal without Ginger’s calming presence.

  “She is the cutest kitten.” Josh’s breath caressed her neck as he leaned in to murmur in her ear.

  “Yes, she is,” she whispered back stupidly. Why did she have to be so nervous around him?

  “Do you watch sports?”

  His random question took her by surprise. “Uh, sometimes.”

  Grinning, he asked, “What do you watch?”

  It was hard getting her eyes off his dimple when he smiled like that. She shifted her gaze to Charlie, who was getting ready to lob his napkin at Josh. The evil grin on the young man’s face distracted Missy enough to smile back. “I watch a little baseball when I have time, but honestly, I prefer football season.” As she finished her sentence, the napkin hit Josh in the chest. He ignored it.

  “Yeah? Which teams?”

  “Well,” she began, but was interrupted by her cell phone. Just as she reached for hers, Doc’s phone also went off. They eyed each other, knowing this bit of relaxation was over and they’d been called to another emergency.

  After thanking James and Camille for the meal and apologizing for rushing off without helping to clean up, Missy and Doc headed to her car, followed by Josh. Doc got in back, while Missy secured Ginger in her cat crate on the front seat. When she turned, Josh was right there, looking at her with a strange expression.

  “Thank you again for inviting us to eat. Everything was so good,” she said, ignoring the thundering of her heart.

  “Anytime,” he answered with a smile. “We do this a lot in the summer. What time do you think you’ll be home?”

  Whoa.

  “Depends on the emergency,” she answered quietly.

  “I’ll look for you tonight, and if you’re not too tired, maybe we could share a beer on the front porch. What do you say, neighbor?”

  Wow. “Maybe,” she hedged. It was flattering to be asked, but surely Josh had other women in his life who needed his attention?

  Not trusting her voice, she smiled one last time and clambered into the driver seat. She was starting to feel awkward again, and Ginger was locked up in her crate in the passenger seat. It was best to get moving before her antiperspirant quit working. She turned the key in the ignition and put the CRV in reverse with purpose before turning around and starting down the long driveway to the main road.

  “He’s a good man, Missy.” Doc’s comment scared the hell out of her. He’d been so quiet she’d nearly forgotten he was sitting back there.

  When her heart stopped racing, she peeked at Doc in her review mirror. “I know.”

  “I’m not trying to pressure you, but he likes you. You should give him a chance.”

  He liked her? Like…LIKED her, liked her? She refused to ask Doc that ridiculous question, so instead she admitted, “I wasn’t lying. If it’s not too late, I’ll get a hold of him tonight when I get home.” She wanted to end this discussion before it got too personal. “Remind me again how to get to the Ferrero Ranchero,” she said, hoping that would signal an end to his relationship advice. She ignored his chuckle as he proceeded to give her directions to the next emergency call.

  IT WAS A little past eight o’clock when she pulled into her driveway, home at last, and she was exhausted. Missy felt grimy and needed a shower. Ginger looked out the window and seemed to sigh in relief. She’d been fed at the Kings’, but it was late and she was a growing kitten. She gave Missy a pathetic meow before she stretched and climbed into Missy’s lap, ready to leave the vehicle. Missy chuckled as she scooped the kitten up and headed for the front door. She glanced Josh’s way, and, sure enough, he was sitting on his front porch drinking a beer. He held it up in salute, but otherwise didn’t say anything.

  Should she go over there? “What do you think, Ginger?” she whispered. The kitten meowed, then made a move to be let down. Missy complied, and once Ginger was earthbound, she hobbled quickly to Josh.

  “I guess that answers that question,” Missy mumbled. Sucking in a deep breath, she slammed the car door and headed to his front porch to retrieve her wayward cat.

  As she approached, Josh reached into a cooler behind him and produced a cold bottle of beer. Ginger rubbed herself on Josh’s legs while purring to her heart’s content.

  “’Bout time,” he chided as she sat down next to him and accepted the bottle.

  She took a long pull, sighed, and said, “Thank you.” She held up her beer, and he clinked his bottle to hers. They sat quietly for a few minutes staring at the lawn in front of the building. A mixture of honeysuckle and freshly cut grass hung in the cool night air, soothing her tired mind.

  Josh nudged her shoulder. “So, you never told me who your favorite teams are.” He lifted an eyebrow.

  It made her giggle.

  “What’s so funny?” he asked with a puzzled grin.

  Squinting into the dark, she took another drink. Screw it, she thought to herself. She’d been called lame before, it didn’t matter now. She turned her head, resting her chin on her tired shoulder, and looked him straight in his gorgeous blue eyes. “I like to have a game on when I’m alone. It doesn’t matter what team, but I usually end up rooting for the frontrunner by the end of the season.” There, she’d admitted to being a sports fraud.

  Josh just looked at her a minute before taking another drink. He pulled Ginger, who’d been curious about his beer, into his lap. He let her sniff the opening and she purred louder. Her rough tongue snaked out to take a quick lick on the glass, making him grin. “I don’t really like being home alone, so I do the same thing. Keep the games on, I mean. Helps me concentrate on my work.”

  “You? Lonely? I don’t believe it.”

  He huffed. “I never said I was lonely, Melissa. I just meant that I like to hear voices when I’m working alone. There’s a difference.” He looked at her strangely. “Wait, are you saying that you’re lonely? Hell, girl, I’m usually here. Just come on over, even if I’m working. I won’t mind.”

  His offer seemed genuine, but she’d never invade his privacy like that.

  Suddenly his big chest expanded on a breath before he muttered, “Or maybe not,” before taking another swig. He was in a strange mood tonight—or maybe she was just tired.

  She finished her beer and handed him the bottle. “Thank you for the drink, and the lovely afternoon with your family. I really did enjoy myself.” She reached for Ginger and then headed home. Once she was inside, a sense of melancholy unlike she’d ever felt pressed down on her. God, was she going to start her period? What the hell was wrong with her? It must be exhaustion, she thought, as she climbed the stairs to her bedroom and a long, overdue hot shower.

  MARGUERITE WAS SO focused on her computer screen that she didn’t notice the man standing at the counter. It wasn’t until he’d cleared his throat that she looked up into eyes so brown they were almost black. His face was rugged and his hair was too long for her taste.

  “I’m here to see Sheriff King,” he stated with a slight twang in his speech. His aftershave floated over the counter, a perfect blend of spice and man. Marguerite silently thanked God that she’d wor
n a high-necked blouse because it covered the blush that was creeping up her neck. She really didn’t like the way her words had gotten stuck in her throat, either. When she continued to stare, he leaned over the counter on his elbows. “Honey, are you all right?”

  Losing her ability for speech was something that hadn’t happened since she’d been a teenager facing a very handsome Josh King.

  “Ma’am?” His second question brought her back to reality. She quickly stood up, which gave her a better view of the man and inadvertently caused her mouth to water.

  Swallowing, she put on her most professional smile. “Please excuse me. Can I tell the sheriff your name?”

  His answering grin drew her eyes to twin dimples buried in the beard stubble growing on his cheeks. His complexion was dark, too, and there were a few pieces of silver interspersed in his dark whiskers. The contrast was striking. He didn’t look old enough to have gray hair.

  “Declan McKinley, U.S. marshal. What’s your name, honey?”

  “Marguerite Theroux.” She averted his piercing gaze by checking Jarod’s schedule on her computer. “He’s not expecting you, but his schedule is clear. I’ll just go check if Sheriff King will see you.” She could’ve buzzed Jarod over the phone, but she needed to get some distance from this disturbing man. “I’ll be right back.”

  “I’m counting on it, Miss Theroux.” Her name rolled off his tongue with that delicate drawl, sending shivers down her spine. She hightailed it to Jarod’s office without looking back. Never show a predator your fear, her uncle’s words rang in her ears. She tried her best to moderate her pace so that she didn’t appear to be running.

  She knocked on Jarod’s doorframe and quickly stepped into his office. “There’s someone here to see you,” she announced, hating the way her voice came out all breathy. “He says he’s with the U.S. Marshals’ office.”

  Jarod glanced up with his usual annoyance but widened his eyes when he got a good look at her. “What’s wrong? Are you all right?” He seemed genuinely concerned for her welfare, which threw Marguerite further off balance. It wasn’t long ago that the two of them could barely tolerate the other, not since she’d gone undercover and hadn’t told him. She’d done it as a favor to her uncle, but her reputation had suffered. Her rapport with Jarod had only gotten better when Lauren, the previous administrative assistant, had married the good sheriff.