And Never Say Goodbye: A Town of Destiny Novel Page 6

  Were they all dreaming of him now? He grinned, shaking his head and walked back out to his truck, pulling his cooler on the cart to get to the office. Maybe McShane was right. These women wanted to be chased by the big, bad wolf. But he didn’t want them.

  ***

  As soon as he got home at 4:00 a.m., he did the usual cleaning up of Sadie’s mess that he felt bad about, fed her, and collapsed into his bed. He needed to find someone again who could stop over and walk her—not use any neighbors. Always strings attached when money wasn’t exchanged. That would be his next priority, but after sleep.

  When he woke up by 11:00 a.m., he considered calling McShane. He needed to know what her dream was about. It plagued him all night and in his own dreams. And why was she dreaming about him at all?

  He stared at his phone, trying to decide if he should call her still. Would she think he was nuts? Probably not, especially after taking her call the other night. Might as well. What did he have to lose?

  After he clicked on her saved number, his heart raced when he heard it ring a couple of times before she answered. “Hey, McShane.” Keeping it cool.

  “Gallagher? You’re not at the hospital still, are you?”

  A lopsided grin played on his lips. “No…home now after some sleep. How’d you know—wait, you’re watching the board, aren’t you?”

  She snickered. “Of course I am. What else do I have to do?”

  “Anything but work? Go watch some reality TV, read, exercise, anything but work.” Or go back to dreaming about him. He wouldn’t mind that. He stretched his long body out under the sheets, lying back against his pillows with one arm behind his head.

  She gave a low chuckle. “Getting enough sleep? You sound exhausted.”

  “Yes, ma’am. Just woke up and hanging with my dog.” He rubbed Sadie’s head nuzzled on his lap, waiting for him to feed her.

  “How is Sadie—holding up when you’re gone?”

  “Not really. Need to find someone. Maybe you could stop by since you’re free,” he said, grinning, knowing she’d hate that.

  “I wouldn’t know what to do with her. Never had one growing up. I know—devastating.”

  “You just feed them, let them out, and pet their head. Simple. She keeps me sane. You’ll have to meet her sometime,” he said, not knowing where he was even going with that one.

  “Sure, Wolf. I’ll meet your dog sometime.”

  “I’ll ignore that, McShane.” Heat rose in his face. He now felt wide awake. He couldn’t resist the next question. “Anymore dreams?”

  “No.”

  “No? Or none you want to share with me?”

  Silence on her end.

  “You there, McShane?”

  “No more dreams.”

  “Talk to anyone from work?” He didn’t want to hang up for some reason and would find anything to discuss. He’d next ask if she liked potatoes if he needed to.

  “A few. Lance keeps texting me. Says he won’t stop until I give in.” She laughed.

  “I’ll talk to him.” His smile disappeared, a tightness in his jaw developing.

  “No, no. I’m a big girl. Don’t need you to protect me. I invited him to lunch today, but I plan to set him straight. Gallagher? Still there?”

  “Yeah. I gotta feed Sadie. You’re off tomorrow and then back Saturday?” He was anything but tired, hot adrenaline raging through his body.

  “Yep. Can’t wait to get back to cutting, like you say I enjoy doing.”

  He cleared his throat. “Hey, just a little scoop on your new man there. If you think I’m a wolf, Lance is the sheep.”

  “First of all, he’s not my new man or any man to me. And I can handle myself. Don’t you worry your pretty little head. Just go feed your dog.”

  Sighing and unclenching his jaw, he said, “I get it. You can handle anything except big, scary storms. Do me a favor and think of Lance as an F5 getting ready to blow through your home. Later, doll face.” He hung up, not letting her respond.

  He threw the covers off and stalked downstairs to let Sadie out. He glanced at his front door and pictured himself walking through it to someone who missed him other than his dog, wanting to hear about the patient he had, holding him in her arms, and making him forget the sadness.

  But then McShane popped in his head again. What about her sadness after cases ended? Who was holding her? Then he pictured Lance trying to console her, his hands sliding through her hair and pulling her tight bun out. And then the sheep’s wool would cascade down to his feet, revealing who he truly was.

  He let Sadie inside, fed her, and headed back upstairs to get dressed. Rushing back down the stairs, he grabbed her leash. “Want to go for a ride, girl?”

  Chapter Five

  When Mallory hung up with Lawson, she strummed her fingers on the kitchen counter. She never thought of Lance like that and wasn’t afraid of him. Lance Johnson an F5? She snickered as she tossed a salad and prepared steaks to be cooked before he came. He was more like a sun shower.

  She placed the salad bowl on the table before she ran upstairs to finish getting dressed. Throwing on a yellow tank top and jean shorts, she then brushed her hair out to a wavy sheen. While she made her bed, she heard the doorbell.

  Her F5 has arrived.

  Laughing at herself for listening to Lawson, she ran down to let him in.

  “Hey, beautiful.” Lance stood on the porch, grinning through the screen door, waiting to blow through.

  “Hi. Come on in.” She unlocked the door and pushed it open. He did have a certain polished look about him and figured he could have any girl. They weren’t even allowed to date coworkers, so she wondered what else he had in mind. “Hungry?”

  “Always.” He followed her to the kitchen. “Nice house. You live here all by yourself?”

  “Yep, just little ol’ me.” She gestured for him to sit at the table and walked to the stove to turn on the steaks.

  “You’ll have to give me a tour sometime.” He cleared his throat. “We miss you down at the office or even in the OR.”

  She smiled. “Something to drink? I have beer, soda, iced tea.”

  “Beer would be good. I can get it. I feel useless sitting here. In the fridge?” He pointed to the refrigerator as he walked toward it.

  “Yep, where we keep all the cold stuff.” She smirked.

  “Miss that sarcasm, too.” He grabbed a beer. “Want one?”

  She shook her head. “I have mine,” she said, glancing at her Coke. “So, you all miss me for being out for a couple of days?” She turned the steaks and stirred the onions around in the sauce, making the kitchen smell delicious.

  “Well, I don’t know about everyone else, but I do. You know I like you, Mal.” He walked behind her, placing his hands on her hips and leaning his chin on her shoulder. “That looks heavenly.”

  “Lance, back it up. I have a hot pan here and I know how to use it.” She laughed but felt the pit in her stomach grow.

  He spun her around to face him, his eyes dipping down to her chest and back up. “How can you be so sexy in anything you wear? Scrubs or regular clothes? And you always smell so damn yummy, like berries.”

  “Lance…”

  “Fine, fine. I’ll be a good boy…for now.” He tugged her hair. “I love your hair like this. Fun for some behind action.”

  She pointed the spatula at him, pushing him away. “I’m warning you one last time.”

  He laughed, waving his hands in the air. “So, what’s your story McShane? No man in your life. What is it?” He sat back down and drank his beer.

  “Don’t call me McShane.”

  “Lawson does.”

  “And he’s lucky I let him, but it’s mutual. I call him Gallagher.” Just saying his name made the hairs on her neck stand out.

  “I’m jealous of what you have with him. Everyone is, you know.”

  “Jealous? What exactly do we have?” Relieved he turned the charm off, she continued to finish up the steaks and place them on
to two glass plates.

  “There’s this connection between you that none of us have with each other. I want that with you. Like something changes in the air. It’s weird. Even when you fight.”

  “There’s no special connection. He trained me and I respect him.”

  “I never said special. That’s your word. You must feel that way.” He jumped up and carried the plates to the table, pulling her chair out. She had already set the table with utensils and condiments before he got there.

  “Thank you.” She scooched her chair in. “I didn’t mean special, but that’s what it sounds like from your end. There’s no special connection.”

  He cut his steak and eyed her. “Nothing going on between you at all?”

  Shaking her head, she said, “No, not at all. Just friends or coworkers. Is that so surprising?” Before she began eating, she gave thanks in her head. Not a religious person, but she always tried to be grateful for everything in her life. She knew how fragile it could be. Here one day…

  “With the way he looks at you, I wouldn’t say friends. He definitely wants more than friendship. But then again, he is the wolf.” He chewed on his meat and smiled.

  Taking a drink of her Coke, she swallowed her food and answered, “He hates that name, you know. Doesn’t feel it pertains to his life now.”

  “Look at you defending him. Well, that’s not what I hear. I’ve talked to a few of his lady friends, and they all sound the same.”

  She tried to seem uninterested in Gallagher’s love life, but the itch began. “Like how?”

  “Why the need to know? Jealous?”

  “Not at all. Just curious.” Her heels bounced on the floor.

  “Uh-huh, sure. They just say how he’s very good at what he does, but there’s something missing, some disconnect.”

  “They actually say he’s very good?”

  He smiled. “Yeah, Mallory. Turn you on? Want to know the details?”

  She stared at him, wanting to stab her fork in his eyes.

  Laughing, he continued. “I guess he knows all the right spots to hit, but it’s mechanical. No emotion, just pure animalistic movements. He knows what he’s doing but seems dead inside. Now, if you ask me, that does not sound like a good lover. Don’t know what they’re all panting over because they always seem to go back for more.”

  Right spots? Shifting in her seat, she had to force her knees to stop shaking. The thought of Gallagher as a wild animal, or wolf, in bed, hovering over these women like a predator over its prey made her shiver. His gruff face tickling or enticing a moan. She licked her dry lips, drawing his eyes to them. Not the intended plan.

  “Anyway, I hope you don’t fall for that crap. I hope you have better judgment, because he’ll use you, too. The man doesn’t know how to love. If you give me a chance, Mallory, I’ll show you what love is.” He covered her hand, rubbing his thumb against her knuckles before she snatched it away.

  “Please don’t advise me on my judgment calls. Aren’t you the divorced one here?”

  He stared, putting his fork down. “I am, but that’s because Kelly cheated on me. I was good to her, but she didn’t think I was good enough.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry, Lance. I never knew. She seems so nice when I see her at St. Joe’s.”

  “Yeah, she was nice until the divorce. I’m just glad we never had kids.”

  Mallory nodded and covered his hand, feeling guilty.

  He softened to her touch. “Have you heard the rumors about you?”

  “Yep. I guess I’m gay or having a torrid affair with a married doctor.”

  He laughed. “Hey, we can prove them all wrong.” He raised his brows up and down. “I can go back and tell them they’re all lies. What do you say?”

  She jerked her hand away. “Are you asking me to sleep with you?”

  “Come on, Mal. We’ve known each other for years. We can get to know each other better.”

  “Look, Lance, the reason I had you come over was to be honest with you. I’m not interested in anything more than a friendship. I know Kelly, and it’d feel strange to date her ex. I hope you understand.” She carried her plate to the sink, trying to ignore the wool that began to melt.

  “I really don’t. I don’t have anything to do with her now. She’s getting engaged, last I heard. I don’t think she’d care.” He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I’ve always had a crush on you, Mallory. Even when I was married. Always wanted to break that ice and have you melt into my arms.”

  The smell of beer drifted from his whispered breath in her ear. The winds of the storm growing stronger, warning her to take shelter. She pried his clutch of his traveling fingers under her shirt. “That’s enough, Lance.” She turned and met his hooded gaze, his parted lips and rapid breathing.

  “Is it? It’ll never be enough for me.” He lowered his head, but she raised her knee and jammed it hard before she ducked out of his embrace.

  She then ran to the door and waited for him to steady himself and realize she was escorting him out. “Any time, Lance.”

  As he limped to the door, he grimaced in pain. “Mallory.” He took a deep breath and stood, pushing himself against her.

  Pushing him away, she said, “Either you leave us on good terms as friends, forgetting all about this little episode, or you leave needing crutches and a report on Ellen’s desk. Up to you.”

  “A report for what? I’m off work grounds. You invited me here. There’s nothing to report, but I’m leaving. This didn’t go the way I’d hope—at all.”

  A black Ford F-150 rumbled up her lane, turning both their heads. When Lawson stepped out, a red-haired dog jumped out behind him and ran to the nearest tree.

  “Gallagher? What on earth…” Mallory said.

  “You know he was coming?” Lance asked, but she continued through the door and down the steps.

  “Hope you don’t mind, but I was in the area,” Gallagher said, staring through Lance. “Leaving so soon?”

  “Uh, yeah. Work just got busy.”

  Gallagher shook his head. “I didn’t see anything on the board.”

  “Lisa paged me and said to be ready, so going to run a few errands before that happens.” He turned to Mallory and held her hands. “I’m sorry I have to leave like this. I hope no hard feelings.” His eyes pleaded with hers.

  She could feel Gallagher’s heated stare. “It’s fine. No hard feelings. See you at work soon.” She let his hands drop and gave a curt smile.

  “Why the limp, buddy?” Gallagher asked, watching Lance hobble to his car.

  Mallory chimed in. “Oh, he accidentally kicked the table leg. Put ice on it when you get home—should be fine.”

  Gallagher glanced at her, his eyes crinkled. “Yeah, ice always does the trick when we do stupid things.”

  Lance smiled and nodded. “Will do.” He slid into his car and gunned the engine, racing out of her private property.

  Sadie sniffed every tree and bush before finally working her way back to her master, sitting at his feet.

  “Sadie, this is my friend, McShane. Give her paw.”

  Mallory leaned down and held her hand out to the extended paw. “Nice to meet you, Sadie. I’ve heard so much about you.” She shook her paw and laughed, standing to meet Gallagher’s eyes.

  “What was that about?” He waved his head for Sadie to run wild, darting through the trees.

  She shrugged. “Nothing that I couldn’t handle. Just a little microburst.” Smiling, she gestured for him to follow.

  “So, he did do something. I knew it.” He tightened his lips and clenched his jaw.

  “Don’t. It’s not worth it, Gallagher. He’s having a hard time with what happened in his marriage.” She pulled the squeaky screen door open for them to enter. The house needed central cooling, but the AC unit would do today. “Help me close some windows. Start in the kitchen.”

  “Fine, but we’re talking more about this crap he’s feeding you. And it is crap.” He strod
e to the kitchen and banged the old wooden windows closed.

  “Please don’t enlighten me. I don’t want to know.” She pushed the on button of the unit and smiled into the cool air blowing into her face, her hair flying. She jumped when she heard his deep voice right behind her.

  “You let your hair down for him,” he said in a defeated tone.

  Turning around to face him, she shrugged. “So? I would have for any visitor.” She closed another window in the dining room. “That’s usually for work.”

  “I doubt that. Were you attracted to him?”

  She laughed. “God, no. I mean he’s cute, but not for me.” After closing another window, she stood in front of him, her hands on her hips. “Why do you even care? It’s none of your business or anyone’s.” Walking to the kitchen, she felt the cold air waft around her, not sure if it was from the forced air or Gallagher’s words.

  “Do you have a plastic bowl? I usually bring hers with but was in a hurry.”

  “Oh, sure.” She bent down to a cabinet and pulled a big white plastic bowl out. “Here you go.”

  “Thanks.” He filled it with cold water.

  “She can come in, you know. Don’t need to leave her outside.” She dropped a few ice cubes in the bowl for her.

  “She loves it outside. I’ll be right back.”

  “Here, let me get the door for you.” She ran and opened it and held the screen door. She then watched him carry the bowl to a tree and whistle to which Sadie came running, lapping at the water.

  Never in her life had she seen someone like Gallagher, all big and tough, so tender with an animal. It was quite amusing…and endearing. She took in his long form, his carpenter shorts against his tanned, muscular legs, his black T-shirt tucked in, softly wrinkling against his torso. The gold Rolex on his wrist, sparkling in the sunlight, and his bright smile as he strutted back her way.

  She pulled her hair to the front on both sides, fluffing it out. Then she pulled it to the side and laid her hand on her angled hip, her eyes never leaving him. Tugging a strand of hair into her mouth, she twirled it around her finger. Her breath picked up pace the closer he got to her.