Pressure Rising (Rhinestone Cowgirls Book 2) Read online

  After four years at The University of Texas, DJ came home and made sure to avoid the troublemaking female Stone clan, only waving in greeting or asking about the weather when he came across one of them. Pearl had always given him the cold shoulder as if she was too good for him. He’d rather take a dirt bath off a horse than be in the same room with her. She looked as if she could fire up his ass—and she’d actually managed to this morning.

  The cave of his chest narrowed. DJ just wanted the doctor to get into the room and stitch him up so he could head home. It wasn’t his idea to come to the hospital in the first place. Pearl had freaked and almost passed out when she saw what she’d done. After realizing the bullet wasn’t lodged in his body, he’d planned to slap on a butterfly bandage and call it fixed, but Pearl insisted she drive him to the hospital. She wouldn’t take no for an answer.

  Hell, she’d been right. He needed his ass to work and the quicker he healed the better. He had people scheduled for riding lessons, tours, and cabin rentals were lined up, and an injury would only get in the way of business.

  His brothers picked a darn good time to go on vacation. They’d wanted him to go, but someone had to watch the ranch. He hadn’t taken a break longer than a day in more time than he could remember so why in the hell should they be allowed? Even his dad was away on some fishing expedition.

  Bringing his attention back on that smirking tart, he hoped more than anything Charmin had a baby mule Pugly—it’d deserve Pearl right.

  “Karma is a bitch!” Pearl sniffed loudly.

  “Yeah, and so are some women.” Damn, he’d sunk too far and by the narrowing of her gaze, she wanted to bury a finger into the wound on his cheek. A gentleman through and through, he wasn’t sure how Pearl could make him come unglued each and every time. Pearl’s mouth opened and he knew she was about to rip him a new asshole, but the door opened and DJ was saved by the doctor. He’d never been happier to see a white coat in his life. “That’s your cue to leave, Pearl. Three’s a crowd.”

  He watched her—mouth closed, lips thinned—as she turned and marched out of the room. DJ smiled. There was something about making her angry that made revenge a little tastier.

  Feeling a cool breeze sweep across his butt cheeks, DJ flinched and shot a look over his shoulder. The doc had the gown open and was examining DJ’s rump. “How does it look, doc?”

  “Like you’re one lucky son-of-a-gun. It’s only a flesh wound, but I’ll give you a couple of stitches and you’ll be as good as new—at least in a week. No riding though for two weeks.”

  “Two weeks?” DJ couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

  “Yes, that’s what I said. Two weeks. Although the wound is nothing serious, you’ll need to take it easy so you don’t pull out any of the sutures. They’ll have to stay in for ten days. If you’re worried about a scar and what the ladies might think, we can keep them in longer.” The doc covered the flap of DJ’s gown.

  “Can’t you just slap on a butterfly bandage or use glue and I’ll keep ointment on it?” The last thing he wanted was to be stuck in a horizontal position for one day, let alone a week.

  “The wound’s too deep for a bandage alone. And you’ll risk infection.”

  DJ ground his hands into fists. All of this over a donkey, a horse, and one out-of-her-mind woman! “Then let’s just get this over with.”

  ****

  Pearl heard the tapping of heels on the waxed floor and looked up to find Em coming up the corridor, a smile on her face. Only she would find this situation humorous.

  “I’m glad you came, Em.”

  “And I thought Jewels shouldn’t handle a gun.” Em shook her head, her smile growing wider.

  “I didn’t know if you got my message. Service is crappy here.” Pearl stood up from the seat in the ER lobby.

  Em gave her a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world. I wish I could have seen the look on DJ’s face when he got shot in the butt. Priceless.” Her words made several surrounding people turn their heads in interest.

  “Shhh!” Pearl grabbed her sister’s arm and tugged her down the hall away from others. “I’m not proud of what I’ve done. It was an accident.”

  Em raised a thin brow. “Okay.”

  “What? You don’t believe me?” Pearl wrapped her arms around her waist, feeling a wave of uneasiness.

  “I believe you, but you do know this doesn’t look good.”

  Pearl nodded. What could she say in her defense? The proof was in DJ’s wounded ass. “What do you think Dad is going to say?”

  “Oh, I think you’ll find out very soon.” Em’s face paled.

  “Why is that?” Pearl asked.

  Em stabbed a finger through the air. “Look.”

  Pearl turned and her breath rushed from her lungs. Coming toward them through the lobby was Joshua Stone. His furrowed brow, red face, and quickstep told her just how upset he was. “Did you call and tell him, Em?”

  “No, I didn’t. Maybe Scrawny did.”

  Once he was closer, Pearl attempted to put a smile on her face. Sometimes that worked for the Stone daughters, but his jaw remained steely. “Dad, what are you doing here?”

  He shook his head and, as he stopped, his boots squealed on the floor. His grey eyes narrowed into slits. Powerful and in-charge, her father had the capability of making almost anyone cower under his glare—including his three daughters. He wasn’t a mean man, but he had little patience when it came to mischief.

  “I’ve come to clean up another mess.” His focus drifted over the lobby full of sick people. “Let’s take this to a private spot where we can talk.” He nodded his head toward the other end of the hall.

  Pearl followed him, shoulders slumped. Em gave her a look of encouragement.

  “You didn’t need to come and clean up anything. I have this under control.”

  Joshua’s wrinkles deepened. “Pearl, then why am I getting a call from Scrawny telling me you took off in a huff after threatening DJ Walters? Then I come to find out that you shot the boy in the ass.” His gaze burrowed into her skin.

  “I didn’t shoot him.” Pearl sighed. Joshua’s wiry silver brow shot up. She swallowed the heaviness in her throat. “Okay, I did, but it was an accident. His dog jumped on me and the shotgun went off.”

  There wasn’t even an ounce of forgiveness in her father’s expression. “I thought we’d discussed this before following the incident with the truck. You were supposed to stay far away from him because you two act like children.” He kept his voice low. “What is it with you and your sisters and toting guns like they’re purses?”

  “I’m offended, Dad! Not once have I carried a gun or thought of toting one. I’ll stick with Coach,” Em whined.

  Pearl narrowed her eyes. “Thanks, Em.”

  Em gave her an apologetic frown.

  “No guns for you, but trouble follows you just as it does your sisters,” he huffed. “I’m beginning to wonder what you girls will get into next. If it’s not one thing, it’s another. I swear you three are trying to drive me to an early grave. Thank heavens Jewels is getting married.”

  Pearl hated when her father was angry, especially when his wrath was directed at her. She’d always been the peacemaker, not the troublemaker. “I’m a victim of DJ Walters and his ignorance. Pugly got into the fence with Charmin again. You know what my plans were for her.”

  Joshua’s brow furrowed deeper. “Who the hell is Pugly?” He waved a hand. “Never mind. It’s not important. What is important is making sure the Walters family doesn’t press charges. I spoke with Jeb Walters on the way here. He said we didn’t have to worry, his son wouldn’t make a big deal out of this. But DJ can easily go against his father’s wishes and call the law. And I don’t want the conflict between our families, especially since it’s just you and the oldest boy who can’t seem to get along.”

  At the mention of the ‘law’ Pearl had a feeling that she was going to vomit the bagel she had eaten earlie
r. Although the incident was an accident, things could have been far worse. And although she did hate DJ with a passion, she didn’t want to see him dead.

  “So, Jeb and I have come up with a solution.” Relief spread over Joshua’s weathered face.

  “I agree.” Pearl didn’t wait to hear the suggestion, but felt some tension leave her muscles. “We should pay for a nurse to take care of him and we can hire a ranch hand to temporarily take his place at the R&R until he’s back on his feet.” She smiled in resolution.

  Joshua shook his head. “No.”

  Her smile fizzled. “No?”

  “DJ won’t need a nurse. You’ll stay with him at the R&R and treat him as you would one of your sisters if they were to suffer this same tragedy. You’ll also help out on the land, as needed.”

  Pearl couldn’t breathe. The overhead lights brightened and sweat beaded between her breasts. Em’s gasp cracked the air, mimicking what Pearl was feeling on the inside. “I won’t do this,” Pearl whispered.

  “Yes you will, otherwise, I wouldn’t be surprised if DJ doesn’t file a complaint. And you need to think of the repercussions if that should happen.” The area around Joshua’s mouth turned white.

  “Why would I want to stay there? Why would DJ even agree to such a ludicrous agreement?”

  “At this point, neither of you have a choice in the matter. Jeb and I are tired of these foolish stunts between you and his son. Maybe if the two of you are forced to tolerate each other, you’ll drop all of this nonsense, once and for all.”

  “But, Dad, do you realize what you’re asking of me?” Tears blurred her vision.

  His jaw softened. He laid his hands, callused and wrinkled from years of hard work in the sun, on her shoulders. “Listen, Pearl. I’m not doing this because I don’t love you, but quite the contrary. If the shenanigans don’t stop, someone’s going to get seriously hurt. I understand you’ve had a beef with this boy for years now. I don’t know what sparked it, and I also realize he isn’t innocent in all of these events, but you’re my daughter and I want you to do the right thing. You’ve made a mistake and now fix it.” He dropped his hands, the hard lines back on his expression.

  “Dad, this is crazy. You can’t expect her to stay with a stranger, let alone a stranger she can’t stand. They could kill each other being all alone,” Em interjected.

  “Then so be it because I’m washing my hands of it.” Joshua turned and marched back toward the direction he came from.

  “He can’t force you to do this.” Em gave a saucy flip of her long hair.

  “With any luck, I can persuade DJ that he would do better with a nurse helping him and not me. There is no way he wants this any more than I do.” At least Pearl hoped.

  Chapter Two

  “I refuse to do this.” DJ held the phone wedged between his cheek and shoulder as he wobbled to the couch and plopped into the cushion. His backside stung. He was about due for another pain pill and he didn’t feel like talking to his dad about Pearl of all people. “I don’t want her near me. I’m a grown man and can take care of myself.”

  His father’s sigh rattled the phone. “Joshua and I have made the agreement. It’s done,” Jeb stated.

  “And you made this agreement without thinking to ask me first? I already said I wasn’t pressing charges.” DJ rubbed his forehead as the ache behind his eyes turned into a deep throbbing.

  “Look, son, I agree that you’re a grown man, and it’s time you take responsibility for your actions. Pugly got out of the fence again and he ended up with her horse that she has plans to breed. I don’t know why you even keep that damned donkey!”

  “He’s a hit with visitors. We can’t fault Pugly for having good tastes, now can we?”

  “Haven’t you boys learned your lesson not to mess with the Stone girls? Anyway, this isn’t only a hobby for Pearl, this is her business, raising horses. What if someone threw a stake into your plans? Imagine if the tables were turned.”

  “Point taken.” He hated when his dad was right, which happened ninety-nine percent of the time.

  “I don’t want the drama between our families. You know Joshua and I have been talking about that acreage he has closest to our property.”

  “The damned donkey loves that horse of hers. I’ve built that fence three times now. The frisky fellow finds a way out every time—and every time he ends up in that damned horse’s stall.” DJ grabbed his medicine bottle from the table, unscrewed the lid, popped one of the tiny white pills into his mouth and swallowed.

  “And if Pugly has bred with the horse, you’re going to compensate for the damages. Do you want a couple thousand dollars coming out of that bank account of yours? I’m not paying. You boys are old enough to stand on your own two feet.”

  “No one touches my savings. I have plans for that money.”

  “Isn’t it time you boys started looking for women to marry, have a family? Give this old man some grandchildren.” Jeb groaned.

  DJ’s chest tightened. He’d been saving for years and had almost raised enough that he could start building his home on the north side of the ranch. It’d been a dream for a long time now, and it was so close he could taste the freedom of having his own place. Maybe even meet a woman and have a family like his dad suggested. Dating had never been easy when he still lived at home and shared the place with his burping, farting, cavemen brothers. Letting go of one cent of his hard-earned cash only made him sick. And he could see Pearl taking him to court over a damn mule born of that precious horse of hers.

  He shook his head. He was penned between a rock and a hurricane, Pearl being the latter.

  As crazy as Pearl was, he knew she didn’t mean to shoot him. Callie had knocked her over, the gun slipped and went off. Luckily, he was turned because it could have been a lot worse. He cringed.

  Accidents happen.

  When he and his brothers were little, DJ had accidently shot the youngest, Nash, in the foot with a BB gun. They laugh about the incident now, but at the time it wasn’t a laughing matter. DJ got a whoopin’ from his mom that stung like hell, and he’d hated that Nash had been hurt. However, he got DJ back a few years later. Nash was practicing swinging a bat and busted DJ in the back of the head.

  Jobe, the middle child, had his fair share of injuries too.

  Shit happens! Unfortunately, he was on the smelly end right now.

  A thought came to him. He did have the upper hand here. What better way to teach Pearl a lesson than making her suffer right beside him? If he had to sit around the house, shouldn’t she? He smiled and rubbed his chin.

  “If she poisons me or smothers me in my sleep, I hope you’ll remember these words ‘I told you so.’” He hit end on his cell and dropped it on the coffee table.

  This was another reason why DJ couldn’t wait to get out on his own. At thirty, he shouldn’t be told what he could or couldn’t do. He was a responsible man, running a business with his brothers, and worked his ass off every day on the land. If he needed a nurse, why couldn’t he be lucky enough to have one similar to the women he’d seen at the hospital. They had practically fallen over themselves to help him. He wouldn’t mind one of those pretty little ladies giving him a sponge bath, feeding him with a spoon, and cleaning his wound.

  Why didn’t he get a rise in his jeans?

  An image of Pearl changing his bandage made his dick harder than a steel rod.

  Fuck! He was losing his grip.

  If having her here until he was back on his feet, a week at the most, meant they could bury the hatchet—the invisible one she had stuck where the sun doesn’t shine—he guessed it was worth a try. He didn’t know if he could manage to pull the hatchet out, but he could endure her for a short period time.

  Ten minutes later, when he opened the door to Pearl standing on his doorstep with a big bag hanging from her shoulder and a frown marring her features, he changed his earlier thought. It might be impossible to tolerate the Wicked Witch of Rhinestone.

  “Can I co
me in or are you going to just stand there brooding?”

  He squeezed the doorknob, wishing he could slam the door.

  Plastering on a smile, he took a step back so she could pass. She brushed by and he got a whiff of vanilla and brown sugar, reminding him of the oatmeal his mom used to make. It also did funny, evil things to his groin area. Was he in high school again? Shit!

  He slammed the door and she jumped, eying him in her usual I-want-you-dead glare. Yeah, no doubt this would be a fun and entertaining few days. He might end up in the barn with Pugly.

  “Let’s get something straight, Pearl. I’m not any happier about this than you are.”

  “And that’s supposed to make me feel better how?” She rolled her eyes and dropped her bag to the floor.

  “You’re not going to make this easy, are you?”

  “My apologies. You’ll have to forgive my attitude. I should be happy that I had to come here and play nurse to a man I can’t tolerate. I don’t understand why that should put me in a pissed off mood. Shame on me.”

  He smiled—couldn’t help himself. She was actually quite cute when in a foul mood—of course he hadn’t seen her in any other mood since—well—he couldn’t even remember. Her eyes were sparkling. Her cheeks were splashed with a hint of crimson and her bottom lip ever so slightly quivered. And heat rocketed to his balls.

  Not good—not good at all.

  He just had to get through the next few days. The sooner he was up and about, the quicker she’d be on her way. His focus had to be on the dollar signs. He couldn’t stand to lose a dime of his savings. He planned for construction to start on his house early next year, maybe sooner if luck was on his side. “I’m willing to do this to prove that we don’t have to be at each other’s throat any more. I’m not a bad guy and I’m sure—somewhere in that body of yours—you have a sweet side.” He had some charm he could use if he must.

  “Well, rest assured, you’ll never know what sides I have in this body. We need to set some ground rules. Although I’ll be touching specific parts,” her gaze dropped below his waist, “it shouldn’t give you the impression that I’m doing it as a means of entertainment or attraction in no way shape or form.” Her pert nose wrinkled.