Read Online Lost Memories (Honky Tonk Hearts) by Sherri Thomas - Free Book Online Page B

went to the living room window.
    “More than you know.”
    “When will you be back?” Staring out into the darkness she envisioned his truck pulling in.
    “Late tomorrow night, but only for a couple of days. I figured it might help my sanity to check in.”
    “You mean to check on me?” Once or twice now, he let comments slip about her catastrophes on the ranch.
    “Everything, Darc.”
    She shut her eyes and embraced the warmth flowing through her with the sound of her name on his lips.
    “I tried calling my brothers—any idea why they aren’t answering their phones this time?”
    “They drove over to the Lonesome Steer for a couple of beers. “
    “Why didn’t you go?”
    “Someone needed to stay here. Besides, a quiet night sounded better.” And I didn’t want to miss your call.
    “Oh. I, ah, bought you something today.”
    Her pulse accelerated and wine sloshed over her hand. She set her goblet down on the end table and wiped her skin on her shorts. “What? Why?”
    “It’s nothin’ big. I saw it and thought of you. No big deal.”
    The fact he purchased anything for her loomed a huge deal. Uncomfortable with all the questions it stirred, she searched for another, safer subject.
    “Have you talked to your parents?” She sat on her sofa, knees pulled to her chest.
    “I spoke to my mom this morning. She’s impressed with everything Sam’s told her about you; wanted to call and talk to you herself, but Dad has kept her busy.”
    “How’s he doing?”
    “Good, but I hate that I can hear worry in my mother’s voice.”
    Picking up the glass of wine, she sipped the liquid. “What’s troubling her?”
    “My father has an appointment Monday. Until she gets a good report from the doctor, she’s pacing a hole in the floor.”
    “She loves him a lot, huh?”
    “More than anything. I think buildin’ the ranch from the ground up strengthened their bond.” A deep sigh filled her ear. “If his appointment goes well, she’s taking him on a cruise. One she hasn’t informed him of yet.”
    “Sounds fun.” Darcy reclined on the couch and closed her eyes, letting the low rumble of his gentle tones wash over her.
    “I don’t know. I’m not sure he’s ready for the high seas. The last time I spoke with him, he wanted to come back and make sure we didn’t bulldoze the place.”
    She snorted. “Like that would happen. He has to know how much you love the ranch.”
    “He does, but we weren’t the most obedient boys growing up.”
    “I don’t imagine any child is. How many years separate you and your brothers?”
    “Eleven. I’m thirty-two, Sam’s thirty, Trent’s twenty-five, and Chris is twenty-one.”
    “At least you’re close with your brothers.” Again she wondered if she had a brother? A sister? She searched her brain, focusing hard to pull the information from the depths within her.
    “Yeah.”
    She envisioned him sitting next to her, talking to her as an old acquaintance. Except a friend’s voice didn’t cause a tingly-tangly feeling to flow through every nerve ending in her body.
    “Darc, what’s wrong? You’re distant tonight, darlin’.” His endearments were becoming a regular part of his vocabulary.
    Shivers traveled down her spine every time his southern voice spoke one. Before he left, she barely knew him. Now, on the phone, he edged close to being...more. Would the changes in the relationship hold true when he came home? Did she want it too?
    “I, uh, was just thinking how lucky you all are to have each other.”
    Stop thinking of Nick in any other sense than a boss. You’re only setting yourself up for heartbreak. Without knowing her past, any relationship remained out of the question, let alone one with her employer. She’d lose her heart and her job; the two went hand in hand.
    “How come you don’t talk about your family?”
    She swallowed the ball of nerves forming in her chest, threatening to choke her.
    “Things not good on the home front?” His tone