Why couldnât he forget her?
Why did he care if she was back in town?
She doesnât matter anymore. Hell, she never should have mattered.
So why did every nerve in his body feel taut? Why was his heart racing at the possibility of seeing her again?
Why was he standing up and slinging his jacket over his broad shoulders?
Cole had things to take care of. He didnât have time for an unscheduled trip back home. Nevertheless, he scooped his cell phone and the keys off his desk and set off for Yella.
All he needed was closure. Something about the way Maddie had left him six years agoâwithout even so much as a goodbyeâstill bothered him.
He had to knowâ¦Was she the bad girl the town claimed she was? Or the sweet, pure girl heâd fallen in love with?
He hoped to hell he wasnât fool enough to chase after a dream again.
The last thing John Coleman had planned to do when he woke up to the stench of petroleum and the roar of his oil rig was to go chasing after Maddie Gray.
Jamming the phone against his ear, Coleâas everybody from Yella, Texas, called himâleaned back in his leather office chair and rubbed his throbbing temple. âWhat do you mean Maddieâs come back to Yella and sheâs nursinâ Miss Jennie?â
Miss Jennie had been their beloved high school English teacher.
Cole knew his soft drawl sounded mild, even disinterested, as he spoke to Adam, his older half brother, yet Cole was anything but calm.
During his marriage to Lizzie, which had ended when sheâd died almost a year ago, heâd dreaded the thought of his childhood sweetheart coming back to town. Because heâd feared how he might react. But he was a widower now, and heâd been thinking about Maddie of late, thinking he might just drive to Austin and look her up. So far heâd always managed to talk himself out of it.
What kind of sap carries on a secret teenage affair with the townâs bad girl and then canât move on after she treats him like dirt?
Hell, six long years had come and gone. And still his mind burned with memories of Maddieâs fine-boned face, her heart-shaped lips, her violet eyes and ebony hair, and ample breasts. Why couldnât he forget how radiant her face had been every time sheâd lain beneath him? Because sheâd been more than beautiful. Sheâd been smart and gifted, especially with contrary horses.
But she had bad genes. Maddieâs mother had stolen husbands, fathersâindeed any man who would have her. And in the end, her own daughter had turned the tables on her by stealing her boyfriend and running off with him, leaving Cole behind.
âMiss Jennie fell over a garden hose and cracked her pelvic bone,â Adam said, interrupting Coleâs thoughts. âMaddieâs here to take care of her until Miss Jennieâs niece from up in Canada can get down here. Nobody in town can stop talking about Maddie. About how well educated and classy she is now. About howâs sheâs got herself a college degree and all. Cole, sheâs so damn beautiful she takes your breath away.â
âYouâve seen her?â
His half brother hadnât moved to Yella until after their dadâs death, which had occurred shortly after Maddie had run off, so Adam hadnât known Maddie when she and Cole had been together.
âI dropped by first thing this morninâ! All the guys have been stopping by Miss Jennieâs place to check on her, so I figured Iâd better check on her myself.â
âRight.â
âJust to make sure sheâs gettinâ proper care and all. Oh, is Maddie ever beautiful. All curves and creamy skin. She has the softest voice and the sweetest smileâone that lights everything up.â
âEnough!â Cole growled.
The brothersâ telephone call had centered on ranch business until this last bit of local gossip. When Cole was away from Yella, Adam usually ended their calls about the family business by filling him in on the latest scuttlebutt.
âWell, donât you be going back there just to see Maddie, you hear.â It was strange how much more annoyed than usual Cole suddenly was with his older brother. âYouâre to steer clear of Maddie Gray. I donât care how polished she is now, sheâs no good. Never was. And never will be.â
âSomethingâs sure got you riled this morning.â There was an edge in Adamâs voice now, too.
âPressure here on the rig. You know how I was telling you this damn drought has shale frac water in short supply? Well, Iâm facing the possibility of having to drill a deepwater well. All the drillers are overbooked except for one bandit who says heâll put me first, but only if I make it worth his time by paying him triple. And now youâre distracting me with idle gossip about a no-good woman like Maddie.â