Just Plain Lucky Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Praise for Tesa Devlyn and…

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Thank you for purchasing this publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

  Just Plain Lucky

  by

  Tesa Devlyn

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  Just Plain Lucky

  COPYRIGHT © 2013 by Tesa Devlyn

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  Contact Information: [email protected]

  Cover Art by Tina Lynn Stout

  The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

  PO Box 708

  Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

  Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

  Publishing History

  First Champagne Rose Edition, 2013

  Print ISBN 978-1-61217-659-8

  Digital ISBN 978-1-61217-660-4

  Published in the United States of America

  Praise for Tesa Devlyn and…

  DANGEROUS DISGUISE:

  "From the bustling city to the rough living of the Idaho Territory, Devlyn does an amazing job of making the reader feel as if they've traveled back in time...."

  ~Amy Lignor, RT review (4 Stars)

  Dedication

  To Don, my knight in shining armor for 40 years...

  To my local RWA group who understands

  the voices in my head...

  and to my dear friend, Mary,

  who on a manual typewriter painstakingly typed

  much of the first manuscript I wrote

  many years ago.

  It won't ever see the light of day,

  but it was a labor of true friendship.

  And always,

  thank you The Wild Rose Press,

  for believing in my work!

  Chapter One

  “Frank, cut the crap, would you? Let’s discuss why you really called.” Liana clenched the cell phone and her teeth. “Are you tortured with the idea I might have a happy birthday?”

  “Are you sure you can handle the truth?”

  Liana glanced toward her daughter’s bedroom. Thank goodness Brittany was involved tweeting, posting, or updating. She didn’t need to hear this conversation. “The truth? What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “You’ve never apologized for what you did.” His voice raised an octave. Worse than the day she and Brittany left San Francisco, a U-Haul trailer in tow.

  She stared at the textured ceiling and groaned. “I’ve apologized multiple times for what happened. I’m not nor will I ever be happy with the way I handled myself, but the blame isn’t entirely mine. How many times did I ask for a divorce? You knew our marriage couldn’t work.”

  “Brittany’s my concern. She needs a stable home. Who knows when you’ll take off with some other guy?”

  The room tilted. Liana weaved on her feet. She backed toward the couch, gripped the upholstered arm and sank to the cushion. “How dare you! I…” She lowered her voice. “Neglect of Brittany had nothing to do with what happened. We should have ended our marriage when we just mildly hated each other.” Liana punched the red disconnect button with her thumb and blinked through a haze of anger and shock.

  “What’s wrong with Dad?” Brittany sailed out of her room, her full lips tight.

  Liana struggled to control the anger Frank stirred up like a master chef. “I’m sorry for whatever you heard, but your dad pushes my buttons.”

  “I know, Mom.” Brittany sat beside Liana and folded her hands. “He called me last night all upset about Molly moving out. He wants me to visit over Thanksgiving.”

  Liana stared at her daughter for a long moment. Brittany had transformed into a beautiful young woman—a clear blend of her mother and father. Her deep auburn hair and mahogany eyes a stamp of the Nash genetics. Liana longed to tell her daughter the truth, but the confession could irreparably harm their relationship.

  “You’re already visiting your dad over the Christmas holidays. Thanksgiving is my favorite time of year. My entire family will be here.”

  “I know, but Dad sounds so down. I might cheer him up.”

  Liana clamped her back teeth. “He plays us against each other and I’m tired of it.”

  “I wish he’d marry Molly. I really like her; she’s so good for Dad.”

  Liana wrapped her arms around Brittany and hugged her close. “Don’t get caught up in the stupidities of the adult world.” She gazed into her daughter’s sad eyes. “I’m going for a run. When I get back, I’ll shower and change so we can meet Shari and Meagan.”

  “Are you sure you still want to go shopping on your birthday? We could do something else.”

  “Any time with you is my idea of a perfect day.”

  Brittany hugged her and skipped back to her bedroom.

  Liana’s shoulders sagged. For four years she’d walked on eggshells to keep the ugly truth behind her marriage and divorce from Brittany. There were things no child should know about their parents. If she could turn back time, she’d handle her unhappy marriage and divorce in a completely different manner. She gripped her head and closed her eyes. The past couldn’t be changed, just used as a measuring rod for what never to do again.

  “If you need me, I have my cell.”

  Brittany stuck her head around the archway into the hall. “Will do. I’ll finish my math homework. See you when you get back.”

  Liana detoured on her way to the back door and smacked a big kiss on her daughter’s smooth cheek. “How did I get such a fabulous daughter?”

  “Oh, I don’t know, just lucky I guess.” Brittany smiled wide.

  Liana held her close and breathed in the familiar floral scent of Brittany’s shampoo. “I’ve never put much stock in luck. Things happen for a reason, even if we don’t understand them.” She tucked Brittany’s hair behind her ears. “I’d go crazy without you, Brittany Nash. I’m eternally grateful you’re my daughter. Now, I’ll leave before I get really sappy.”

  “Watch out for ice!”

  Liana stepped out the back door and gasped. Would she ever adjust to the different climate? She’d grown up in the desert of Southern California. When she moved to San Francisco, she’d thought she’d freeze to death, but Montana was even colder.

  She stretched and inhaled the unique scents of fall, the crisp air tinged with damp, pungent earth, dying leaves and the hint of smoke from the chimney. She paused to drink in the positive results of her move, not the least of which the distance from Frank.

  His obsession and control over her life had reached new heights. The latest threat to take her back to court for full custody of Brittany could destroy both his and her relationship with their daughter. Frank would use Liana’s indiscretion and she’d be forced to tell all. Then what?

  Liana rounded the corner of the house she’d bought shortly after their move to Kalispell, and cringed at the huge sheet of plastic over what had been the wes
t wall of her living room. It crackled and rustled in the breeze. Frank wasn’t her only problem. She needed a new contractor, and fast. Winter would wait for no one. Without the new wall and insulation, they’d have to move—abandon their new house until spring.

  She jogged out of the tree-lined lot and into view of town. The vista opened up with the mountains as the backdrop, the bustling town to her right and ahead a few miles, Flathead Lake. On occasion, she’d run as far as the shoreline and, if time and the weather allowed, she’d take a quick swim.

  Her close friend Shari had been right to persuade Liana to relocate. In only six months, Liana had signed on as an agent with Flathead Realty, bought a new house, and maybe someday, she’d open an interior design business. Someday. For now, she had to make money and settle things with Frank.

  Determined to shrug off her frustration and anger, Liana focused on planting one foot in front of the other, breathe in and puff out to keep her heart rate at a safe level.

  House after house, block after block, she ran for the sense of satisfaction and well-being running gave her. Out here, she could control her pace—her breathing—and offset the results from stress and her love for good food and wine.

  Liana glanced at her watch. Wow, she’d covered a mile in ten minutes. Not bad. She slowed a bit and wound through an older neighborhood toward the highway leading to Flathead Lake.

  Brittany had giggled over the name of the lake until she read the history of the Native Americans who occupied the area. San Francisco had tons of culture, but something about being on the edge of the vast Glacier Park, and in a less inhabited area, fascinated her daughter into reading the history of Western Montana.

  What a relief Brittany had settled in and accepted Kalispell as her new home. Of course it helped that Shari’s daughter, Meagan, who had been Brittany’s best friend from childhood, lived here too.

  A chill wind blew off the high snow-capped mountains. She rubbed her upper arms through the thermal jacket she’d thrown on. She’d been so upset over Frank’s call, she hadn’t thought to wear more layers.

  Pausing to glance both ways at an intersection, she placed one foot on the blacktop. Pain shot through her other ankle. She shrieked and spun around. A thin, mangy Border Collie mix sat on the curb, his sad brown eyes pleading for attention.

  “You nipped me!” She examined her ankle for blood, but didn’t find more than a red spot.

  The dog whined and wagged his tail. Liana’s heart melted. She slowly moved toward the animal, her hand out to give the dog a chance to stay or run. She’d grown up around her brother’s dogs and always thought she’d like to have one.

  “Do you want my attention? You’ve got a collar and a tag too. Can I look at it?” She turned the tag. “Lucky. Your name’s Lucky.” Goosebumps scattered up the back of her neck. Weird. She’d just told Brittany she didn’t hold much value in luck. Of course, she’d referred to random, off-chance events, not to the name of a dog. Nevertheless…

  A truck rounded the corner of the housing development and roared toward them. Lucky whined, yelped and ran into the street.

  “Lucky, no!” Liana waved her arms at the driver, invisible through the tinted windshield. She could only hope it wasn’t some sadistic bastard who enjoyed hurting small creatures. “Lucky, come back!”

  Lucky ran smack dab in front of the truck. Brakes squealed and rubber burned. Lucky scurried back a few feet, planted his butt, and stared up at the shiny grill.

  Liana hurried into the street and patted the dog. “You silly thing!”

  “Silly? Is that all you can say?” a very irritated male voice demanded as he towered over her and the dog.

  Liana straightened and squinted against the morning sky at the broad shouldered man. “What would you like for me say?”

  The man shifted to one side and blocked the sun. His features became clear. Damn. Wow. He looked like he’d stepped off a movie set. Of course he’d be the leading man, hands down.

  “How about, Sorry you almost hit my dog?”

  Liana shook her head to clear it. “What?” He might be absolutely delicious to look at, but his attitude stunk.

  “There are leash laws in the city limits. I could have killed your dog.”

  Liana planted her hands on her hips, the chilly air forgotten. “What about loud trucks? Are there laws about those? Lucky might not have run into the street if you hadn’t scared him.”

  The man blinked his dark amber eyes and slowly shook his head. “Are you for real? My truck is not loud. It’s a truck. You scared the hell out of me.” He squatted on the heels of his black western boots and patted Lucky’s head. “Are you all right, girl?”

  Liana took a step back and stared in disbelief as the man baby-talked to the dog. Was he for real? He came off like a jerk to her, but putty for the dog!

  “How long have you had Lucky?” He glanced at her under the brim of his black cowboy hat.

  “I don’t have Lucky. We just met. Poor thing needs to eat and bathe. He has a tag, but he looks too neglected to have an owner.”

  The man nodded and stood back to his full height, his shoulder eye level to Liana. Just the right height to bury her face in—to lay her head on. She mentally slapped herself. Had she lost her mind?

  “In that case, sorry I yelled at you.” He scrubbed at his whisker-roughened face with both hands and looked her up and down. “You must live around here.”

  Liana tried not to be affected by the sweep of interest. “A couple miles away.” Not smart to be too specific.

  “Look”—he lifted his hat and forked his fingers through jet black, thick, wavy hair—“it’s probably not realistic to expect the dog to follow you home. I can give you a lift.”

  Her stomach flip-flopped. “I’m not keen about jumping into a stranger’s truck. How about we put Lucky in the back and I’ll run alongside?”

  “You’re probably a wise woman.” He cracked a smile and held out his hand. “Michael Saxon.”

  She accepted his gesture. “Liana Campbell.” His large, calloused hand wrapped around hers a little longer than she’d like. Heat flared up her arm, and goosebumps skittered over her neck. She glanced around, anywhere but the dark gaze threatening to penetrate her soul.

  “You have a lumber rack. Do you build houses?”

  “Yeah, I build houses.”

  Her mind traveled a million miles a minute. A builder. A hunk who built houses and helped rescue stray dogs. “Mr. Saxon, if you have time when you reach my house, I’d like to talk to you about my remodel.” Hello? She’d just met the guy was she so desperate to finish her living room? Uh yes, as a matter of fact.

  He bumped his hat to the back of his head and raised a dark brow. “Oh yeah?”

  “I know it sounds bazaar, but I’m in a bind. I don’t expect a bid today.”

  One corner of his mouth turned up. “Good, because I don’t have much time. I’ll take a look and get back to you.”

  “Thank you.” She glanced at her watch. “I have to get home before my daughter starts to worry. I’ll put Lucky in the back.”

  “I’ll put her in the back.” With little effort, he swooped the dog into his arms and set him in the bed of the truck. “Sorry, girl. If you weren’t so dirty, I’d put you in the front.”

  “Oh, I think it’s a male.”

  He glanced at her. “Why?”

  Liana shrugged. “I don’t know, I just assumed.”

  Michael grinned and Liana’s world tilted. “I checked her out. She’s a girl.”

  Her face warmed. “Well, I’d better get home. I’m sure you’ll keep up with me, but I live on Evergreen Road.”

  Michael’s grin widened and his dark brows rose. “Sure you don’t want to ride?”

  “I’m sure.” She moved from one foot to the other to loosen up her joints for the run home. “I’ll start out slow so you have time to catch up before I leave this street.”

  “I think I can keep up.” He touched the brim of his hat with two finge
rs and opened the driver’s door.

  Liana ran in place until he made a U-turn in the intersection. Acutely aware of Michael Saxon cruising behind her, she built her pace to a full run. Sensations she hadn’t experienced for a very long time made her want to move faster. How did she look from behind? Why hadn’t she worn warm-up pants instead of leggings? Did her behind jiggle with each step? Did her thighs slosh all over the place? She’d been working out more lately...had it paid off?

  Many times before she reached her driveway, she wished she’d taken him up on the ride, fear be damned. Something about Mr. Saxon spoke of trustworthiness and safety. He was no serial killer or a wacko.

  Frank’s hurtful words from their early morning conversation hurtled back at her. Who knows when you’ll take off with some other guy? “Go fly a kite, Frank!”

  Liana adjusted her breath to slow her heart rate and turned into her drive.

  Michael crept behind her in his big truck. Lucky barked and raced around in the bed in excitement. The moment he stopped and killed the engine, Michael hopped out of the truck. Before he or Liana could stop her, Lucky leaped over the tailgate and hit the ground with a yelp. “You poor thing. She’s so hungry she aches.” Liana cooed to the dog.

  “You’re probably right.” Michael examined the dog. “No to mention her paws are in bad shape.”

  Brittany rounded the house, her young forehead creased with worry. “Mom? Are you all right?”

  Liana brushed dog hair and dust off her hands. “Yes, honey, I’m fine. This is Mr. Saxon. He happened along right after I found Lucky. The poor thing’s in desperate need of food and a bath.”

  Michael shook Brittany’s hand. “Good to meet you. You look like you might be my son Leif’s age.”

  “Leif Saxon is your son?” Brittany blinked at Michael, awe in her expression.

  “You know Michael’s son?” Liana hadn’t heard her mention him.

  “Everyone knows Leif.” She glanced at her mother and grinned. “He’s cool and a very talented musician.”

  “Leif does love to play his guitar.” Michael looked toward the house. “Ouch. Looks like you’re one step away from camping.”