When Tanner O’Brien reached out, the teenager threw up his hands and backed away. Jules wondered if she should ignore them or see if she could help. Considering what had happened with Joey Martin, although one had nothing to do with the other, minding her own business might be the wisest course.
TANNER FACED Shawn under the bluish lighting in the parking lot. He hated being the bad guy, but the situation with his nephew was getting out of hand. If he didn’t find a way to deal with it soon, he’d lose Shawn the same way he’d lost Shawn’s daddy.
He drew in a breath of the humid, night air. “You were supposed to get a ride home, Shawn.”
The boy crossed his arms and glared at his uncle. “I don’t see you gettin’ in early.”
Shawn was right. But it didn’t excuse the fourteen-year-old standing in front of him, ready to do battle.
Tanner had promised himself he wouldn’t lose his temper, something hard to stick to lately. “I’m an adult, Shawn. That gives me the right to set my own hours. But that’s not the point. You told me you had a ride back home after the rodeo. Why are you still here?”
Even Shawn’s shrug was antagonistic. “Just hanging out with my friends.”
It wasn’t so much what Shawn said as it was his attitude that riled Tanner. “And all of them are at least three years older than you. Why don’t you hang out with someone your own age?”
With narrowed eyes, Shawn’s lip curled in contempt. “They’re kids.”
And so are you, Tanner wanted to say, but he mentally counted to five, instead. “I guess you can’t be trusted to get home when you’re supposed to. No more rodeos until I see some responsibility.” He stood watching the boy, expecting an explosion.
One young shoulder raised and lowered. “Whatever.” Shawn dropped his hands to his sides and walked in the opposite direction of Tanner’s pickup.
“Get in my truck,” Tanner called to him. When the boy didn’t slow his steps, Tanner went after him and took hold of his arm.
Shawn spun around. “I’d rather walk,” he growled, trying to pull away.
“Excuse me.”
Tanner turned at the sound of the soft voice behind him. Jules Vandeveer was standing a few feet away. “This isn’t your concern,” he replied as politely as he could, and turned back to his nephew.
Her voice, still quiet and calm, reached out in the darkness beyond the lights. “You’re right, it isn’t, but maybe I can help.”
Tanner reluctantly released his nephew, expecting him to take off. Instead, Shawn retreated a few steps and stopped, watching them. Tanner took a deep breath and faced Jules. “I don’t know why I should listen to a woman who thinks I’m a horse’s—”
“I apologize. Truly,” Jules said, cutting him off. “I was very rude, and I’m sorry.”
The anger drained from Tanner at the sincerity in her voice, the caring he saw in her eyes, until he reminded himself she was butting in where she didn’t belong. “I can handle this.”
She drew closer. “I’ve seen hundreds of kids go through the court system,” she said, “and I work with those who have slipped through the cracks. There are better ways to handle problems than arguing. And better places to do it than a tavern parking lot.”
“Now, hold on.” Tanner planted his feet in the gravel of the lot and stared down into her eyes. “I’m trying to get him into the truck so we can go home. If he’d done what he should have—”
“Try talking to him.”
Tanner opened his mouth to tell her he’d been trying to do exactly that. Instead, he shut it, his anger gone, replaced by something that was close to admiration. She was gutsy enough to stand up to him. But hadn’t he realized that earlier?
She laid a hand on his arm, and he felt a warmth go through him like a shot of whiskey before she jerked her hand away. Apparently she’d felt something, too.
“You’re upset,” she said in that same, smooth voice. “Let me talk to him.”
Too busy trying to figure out his reaction to her touch, Tanner nodded. He watched her approach Shawn and heard her lowered voice as she spoke to the boy. Tanner shook his head, amazed to see Shawn nodding at whatever she was saying. Lately, agreement from Shawn was rare. Tanner was even more surprised when his nephew walked to the pickup and got in it without an argument.
“He’ll be okay,” Jules said when she returned. Her lips curved into a smile. “Try talking to him tomorrow when you’re both calmer.”
The warmth of her smile muddled his mind. And it wasn’t from the one beer he’d shared with Dusty. The woman had an intoxicating effect on him that he couldn’t seem to shake.
“What did you say to him?”
She shrugged and glanced toward his pickup, where Shawn waited. “I told him that it’s late and we’re all tired. Maybe tomorrow would be a better day to discuss things.”
“That’s it?” he asked.
Her smile was sweet but tired as she nodded, then turned away. He watched her walk to a late-model sedan, knowing he was a fool for letting her distract him. Shawn and qualifying for National Finals Rodeo were his only concerns. But he hadn’t counted on meeting a woman like her. He was sorry he probably wouldn’t see her again.
Chapter Two
Jules regarded the opulence of the Grand Ballroom in Oklahoma City’s Waterford Hotel, then reached for a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. She turned to Beth. “This is beautiful. I’m glad you invited me. I’m finally beginning to feel like I’m on vacation.”
“I wish I weren’t so busy,” Beth answered with a regretful smile. “As soon as Doc Waters gets back, we can spend more time together and have a real vacation.”
“Don’t worry about it. Just getting away from everything is good.” Taking a sip of her drink, Jules wrinkled her nose at the bubbles and surveyed the crowd. Strains of music from a small orchestra drifted softly throughout the room, while an occasional peal of feminine laughter could be heard above the buzz of conversation. “I didn’t know you traveled in such impressive social circles.”
Beth tipped her head back and laughed. “Thank Michael for that. Being the soon-to-be-wife of a professor does have its perks. Now that Oklahoma State has opened a campus here in Oklahoma City, things are really happening.” Leaning closer to Jules, she lowered her voice. “Everyone is nice, but still, I’m glad you’re here to share it with me.”
Even though she didn’t know anyone, Jules enjoyed watching the people. Jewels sparkled and dresses shimmered. Having grown up in a home considered wealthy, she was aware of the power of money and pleased to know this was a fund-raising event for the local arts council. Her parents, who had always been known for their philanthropy, would be happy to learn she was attending something worthy.
“Where is Michael, anyway?” she asked, still perusing the room.
Beth
