by Lynn Landes
“Just because I was hurt, doesn't mean I'm weak Daniel!” Delta retorts. She throws her pill bottle and glares at him when he laughs and catches it.
“I'm sorry, is that how you sound when you're angry? All southern and twangy. It's adorable.” He has a five o'clock shadow, and she can see the worry and stress in his eyes.
“You wait till I’m off these crutches and I’ll show you adorable!” Delta refuses to look at him one second longer. The temptation to smile is pushing at her, and that won't do.
“Stop riling up our patient,” Chase snaps as he hands her a glass of tea and snatches her pill bottle from Daniel.
“I would never for a second think of you as weak, Delta Dawn. Now give me a list of what you need from the cabin and Abby, and I will go fetch it for you.”
“I will go with you.” Delta starts to get up.
“No,” they both say, startling her back into her seat. Daniel moves to her side, kneeling beside her. “You're not to walk on that leg for a day or two, the Doctor said only to go to the bathroom. We wouldn't want to tear your stitches. Just make a list, and we will fetch it.”
“Lord help me, there’s two of you.” Delta is exhausted and hungry as she stares up at them.
Abby runs inside with Sasha, who immediately runs to Delta and sniffs her leg. “I'm okay, good girl, Sasha.” An hour later they return with her laptop, a pair of pajamas, and change of clothes for the next day. Chase leaves promising to return in the morning, and Daniel starts dinner while Delta and Abby play cards.
After soup and grilled cheese sandwiches, Delta is worn out, but she has one phone call to make. She excuses herself and returns to Daniel's room to make her call in private. Easton is Phillips fiancé and a lawyer. Delta wants her opinion on this case, and she sighs, knowing when she makes this call, they are going to swarm in. She grins when Easton answers.
“I knew sending you to that place was a bad idea! I mean, who needs fresh air and space!” Delta laughs and leans back in her chair.
“Easton, it's beautiful here. You'll change your mind when you see it. I'm in some trouble, and I need your advice.” Her laughter fades as she explains in detail what has gone on.
“Listen to me, Delta. I will check into this, until then, I don’t want you alone. Where are you staying?” She demands.
“Don't be ridiculous, Easton, I'm a grown woman, I've been alone for years,” she snaps feeling a little testy from everyone telling her what to do.
“I know that, but as your lawyer, I'm telling you that these kinds of perpetrators tend to escalate each time.” Easton is a woman's rights attorney with fifteen years' experience. “From what you're describing to me it has already begun. Your life has been threatened twice already. Stop screwing around, Delta and listen to me. If not for us, then do it for your boys.”
“Well, hell. Daniel will never let me forget you took his side,” she mumbles.
“Daniel, he’s your cowboy, right? Let me talk to him.” Easton orders.
“No, Easton, there's no reason for you to speak to him…”
Daniel jerks the phone from her hand and introduces himself.
“How dare you!” Delta exclaims.
“Shh, beautiful, I can't hear,” Daniel says with a laugh. Delta grabs her crutch and thinks about throwing it at him. Easton speaks to him for a few moments before he agrees with her, “I understand, yes, of course. No, I believe we kept the can, I put it inside the barn, but it was cleaned so the bear wouldn't return. I will email you both employee files tomorrow morning.” They talk for a few more minutes before Daniel finishes and hands her the phone.
“Delta you will listen to him. I'm in court tomorrow, but Phillip and I will be on the first flight Monday, and the boys will have to be told.”
“No, Damn it, there is enough testosterone here already. Please… Easton, I won't have them disrupt their lives for me. They are coming for Easter, that's only two weeks from now. Surely this will be cleared up by then.”
Daniel sits on the edge of his bed and stares at her as she wrangles a promise from Easton that she won’t tell the boys, yet. “Promise me you will listen to Daniel.”
“You don’t even know him, why would I promise you that?” She grumbles ignoring the way his dark eyes sparkle at her.
“Promise me, Delta!” Easton orders.
“I promise to listen to Daniel, Easton,” she says in her best southern accent. Daniel grins and sits up taller causing Delta to kick him with her good leg.
“Ow,” he chuckles and rubs his shin.
“I love you too,” she murmurs before ending the call.
“You heard her, you have to listen to Daniel, and Daniel says it's time for Delta to go to bed.” Delta stifles a yawn and stares at him.
“Don't let that go to your head, Daniel, but I am tired. Those pain pills knock me out. Thank you, for taking such good care of me. This trip has turned into a nightmare.” Daniel frowns and turns the bed down for her, so she will not see how her words affect him.
“Except for meeting you and your family. I do not regret that for a second,” she states. He turns and sweeps her up into his arms, and she sighs, resting her head on his shoulder. Daniel presses a kiss to her brow.
“Daniel…” she sighs.
“Yes?” he says walking towards the bed.
“Nothing, just Daniel,” she smiles as he lowers her to the bed.
Daniels' heart trips as he leans back from her. Delta lifts a hand and captures the back of his neck. “Kiss me, so I dream of you instead of shadows chasing me.” His kiss is gentle, soft and sweet. Exactly what she needed.
“Sleep well, I will watch over you tonight.” Her eyes are already closing.
When he returns to the living room his father is waiting. “Abby is packing for her trip. Daniel the police called. They can’t find Melody or her cousin.” Chase is pale with worry. “Now, I’m not a police officer, but I know this isn’t good.”
“No, it isn't. I'm glad Abby's going to her Moms on Monday. We will just have to hire security. They aren't stupid enough to show up at work, and if they step foot near Delta again, we will have to make sure to get proof,” Daniel says.
“They won’t know Delta is staying here, so my bet is that they will go after her at the small house. What we need is a plan,” Chase decides. They spend the next two hours plotting out a trap for Melody and her helper.
“I’m glad you’re here to help, Dad. I will need help keeping an eye on Abby.”
“Of course, son.” Chase goes to bed, and Daniel locks up, making sure all the windows and doors are sealed. Sasha follows him, observing.
“Good girl, Sasha.”
When Daniel returns to his room, Delta is sleeping sound. He brushes his teeth and takes out his pistol from the safe inside his bedroom closet. A rifle is excellent for big game or distance, but his .45 is his first choice for home defense. Tucking it into his jeans, he glances out of the windows before moving upstairs to check on Abby. Sasha follows him and climbs onto the bed with his daughter. Abby smiles and rubs her in her sleep. Obviously, she feels better having Sasha around. He will have to think about getting her a puppy when this is over with. Delta could help give them some pointers. Rubbing Sasha, he moves down the stairs to check the locks and windows and then returns to check on Delta.
Daniel places the gun on the nightstand and sleeps on the couch in case she needs him. Delta opens her eyes and sees him sleeping on the couch and sits up in shock. Of course, she didn't think to ask where he would sleep. Vaguely, she remembers him holding her last night. Her blue eyes fly open, and she is stunned. She pushes to a sitting position and swings her legs carefully over the side of the bed.
Grabbing the crutches, she slips quietly into the bathroom to change her clothes, which are hung up on the door. Daniel brought her a green satin chemise to sleep in. Delta smiles, ‘very funny' she thinks as she leans against the two-person tub and pulls off her top. Putting the weight on her uninjured leg, she drops the lon
g skirt and sits back on the side of the bathtub. Wearing only a wine-colored lace bra and panties, she carefully removes the bandage to look at her leg. It is bruised and discolored from the force of the pole ripping through her skin. They had to use stitches to close the wound because of the jagged nature of the tear. She runs some warm water and uses a washcloth to wash off the iodine and dried blood around the wound.
As she glances at the wound, a chill settles over her. Delta realizes for the first time that she could have been seriously hurt or worse. Her hands are shaking, and she is not surprised when Daniel opens the door. “Are you okay?”
“Daniel!” Delta tries to stand and cover her body, but he is grinning like a fool. He moves towards her and runs a finger down her cheek and traces his fingertips over the swell of her breasts. Slowly he pulls off the T-shirt he's wearing, revealing sculpted muscles and her mouth goes dry.
“Hands up, Delta,” he whispers. She obeys slowly, and he slides his T-shirt over her head. Delta smiles and inhales his scent. “It's a shame to cover up that beautiful body, but I don't want you catching a cold.”
“Thank you, Daniel,” she whispers. Daniel squats down to look at her thigh. The muscle of her leg jumps when he touches her.
“I’m sorry, did I hurt you?” He jerks his hand back. Delta shakes her head and looks up at the ceiling while he looks at the wound and grabs a new bandage, quickly covering the wound. Before he can move, Delta strokes a hand through his dark hair. He leans into her touch and closes his eyes as her hand strokes down the side of his face.
Delta shifts her body, placing him between her thighs and his eyes shift. Passion floats on the air heavily between them. Tired of waiting, Delta pulls him forward until he is pressed against her, “Delta,” he warns her, but she places a finger over his lips.
“You know how they say laughter is the best medicine, it’s not true.” Daniel grips the sides of the tub on either side of her to keep from touching her. Delta nibbles on his ear and neck before nipping at his shoulder. She touches his body the way she has dreamt of doing and smiles when the muscles jump beneath her hands.
“You would tempt the Saints, Delta, and I'm trying to do the right thing,” he says as he wraps his arms around her and his hands grip her bottom, “but I never said I was a saint.” Delta meets his hot kiss and wraps her legs around his waist as he stands with her.
All rational thought disappears, and for one moment, nothing else matters. Delta tears her mouth from his and throws her head back, giving him access to her throat and neck. Pain flutters in the background, causing her to frown, but his mouth is so hot and demanding. When he swings around with her clamped on him, she bumps her leg and gasps.
“Damnit.” Daniel moves through the bathroom back to the bedroom, while Delta giggles and buries her face in his neck. “I knew this was a bad idea.” He sets her gently on the bed, leaning back and stares at her with a stern look. “You need to keep your hands to yourself until you're healed.”
“I know you're right, but I can't seem to help myself around you.” Leaning forward, she presses a hot kiss to his stomach and runs her hands up his chest, only to laugh out loud when he leaps away from her and rushes into the bathroom. She laughs even harder when the shower turns on, and he gasps.
Delta snuggles into his bed and dozes while she waits for him to return. “Daniel, I'm cold, won't you warm me up?”
“You don’t know cold woman, that water was freezing,” he grumbles and pulls a blanket around his shoulders. Guilt fills her soul. He's been so kind to her, and she is embarrassed by her actions. What if he isn't attracted to her and she is throwing herself at him like a harlot? She rolls away to face the wall and murmurs.
“Daniel, I'm sorry, you've been so kind to me. I'll be out of your hair soon.” His sigh is mighty, and he runs a hand through his hair.
A minute after she feels the weight of his body hit the mattress, and a second later his freezing cold skin is against her. She squeals at the shock of it.
“Stop squealing woman, you’ll wake the whole house. God, I’m freezing,” he wraps his arms around her and pulls her against his body. It’s been so long since she was held like this and he feels so good.
“You feel like heaven, Delta. I want more than anything to touch you, taste you and make you mine in every way possible,” his deep voice rumbles through her body and chills erupt. She grinds against him, making him groan, “But I want to make sure you are ready for it. I don't do short term flings.”
Delta’s heart sighs. “Okay, until then I will behave, mostly.” Delta sighs, “Isn’t it odd, Daniel, how natural it feels to be in your bed and in your arms.” It’s going to break her heart to leave him, she thinks.
“It should be odd, but it isn't. Go to sleep, Beautiful.” Soon her even breathing tells him she's sound asleep. Daniel grins, feeling like he just won the lottery and closes his eyes to sleep.
Chapter 9
Melody knows the Silver Creek Ranch better than most of the employees. Chase hired her when she was just sixteen years old to work in the restaurant as a hostess. Once she finished high school, she worked part-time and went to a local community college for hotel management, with one goal in mind. To work near Daniel.
Most men his age would have jumped at the chance to get in her bed, but Daniel was special. Melody understood. He was ignoring her to show his respect for her. Daniel made it a policy to never date anyone at the Ranch, which kept things simple, until her. “Delta,” she hisses.
The blade of the razor slices into the top of her thigh, and she hisses as the burns. Over and over again, she cuts, it is the only way to control the rage. Zach beats on the bathroom door and shouts at her. He's angry again, but she ignores him and sinks into the tub of hot water.
“You said they wouldn’t know, Mel! Now I lost my job,” he pounds on the door once more. “We need to talk, Mel.” When she doesn’t respond, he yells, “I’m done with this!” Soon she hears the slam of the motel door and the squeal of his tires as he leaves.
Melody sighs and glances at her leg. She didn’t cut deep enough to slice a vein, only the skin. Sometimes when she was younger, she would get carried away, but she knows better now. The burning helps, it gives her something to focus on besides the two of them together. Jumping up from the tub, she climbs out and lets the blood-tinged water rain off her body.
Without a confession or evidence, the police could not hold them. Melody’s state-appointed lawyer had her out quickly. After all, Zach was the one who drove her up the mountain, and it was his word against hers. Afraid they were being watched, they went home long enough to pack a few bags and drove around until they were sure no one was following them.
Melody grabs a box off the sink and holds it to her chest and mumbles. To the average person, the plastic container she's cradling looks like a shoe box, but it's special. “Our memory box,” she whispers letting the tears fall.
‘Box of lies,’ the voice whispers to her. Her brown eyes grow big as she swipes at her face.
“No, Daniel doesn't lie.” She pops the plastic lid off and digs through the box. One baggy holds a bit of hair from his last haircut. Movie ticket stubs, “From our first movie together.”
‘He didn't even know you were there,' the voice reminds her. Melody balls up a fist and yells.
“Shut up, he loves me!” Fisted in her hand is a pair of his socks from the house. She took it from his laundry when his daughter was out of town. It was a magical weekend. Pressing the socks to her cheeks she whispers, “We slept in his bed, he loaned me some of his clothes, and I even used his toothbrush. It was amazing,” she remembers the feel of his arms around her as they made love in the massive king size bed…
‘In your dreams, remember, Melody, he was out of town for work. You slept alone in his bed. The same bed, she’s sleeping in right now?' The voice taunts. Melody shakes her head and throws the box across the small hotel bathroom.
“Daniel loves me,” she whispers and covers her e
ars to block out the sound of the voice.
‘Right now, he is loving Delta, giving her a bath in that big two-person tub, washing her, rubbing his perfect hands over her body and she is moaning …' Melody spins and screams at the image in the mirror.
“It’s not his fault, she tricked him!” She drops to the cold tile floor and shoves the trinkets back into the box and pushes the lid on tight. She pulls on the sweatshirt she stole from his house and rocks on the floor. “Delta needs to pay!”
‘Yes! Make her bleed and show him what a weak, nobody she is. Then he will see you as you are.' Wiping her red hair from her wild eyes, she whispers, “Yes, make her bleed.”
Chapter 10
Daniel wakes to a slobbery wet kiss and not the kind he was hoping for. “Dog breath is way worse than morning breath,” he mumbles and Delta giggles when Sasha rewards him with another kiss.
“You’ll hurt her feelings,” Delta laughs. Her shoulder is feeling better, and this time, she has no problem pushing up, only tight muscles and soreness. The leg, however, is a different story. “I should take her out,” Delta sighs.
Daniel rubs Sasha, before rolling over and tugging Delta back into his arms. “Not yet, you feel so good.” She sighs and wonders at the feel of him.
“Yes, you do,” she sighs. Steady rain is falling outside, and Delta is lulled back to sleep.
Daniel eases out of bed, trying not to wake her and dresses quickly. He has a lot to accomplish today, including having security installed. They already have it in all the cottages and cabins on the property. It shouldn't be too hard to have them fix his house and barn as well. The security team promised to arrive at ten a.m. and assured him that a working system can be swiftly installed. The first step is to get all the locks changed before they arrive. He calls the maintenance worker on staff at the lodge and offers to pay him overtime if he gets the changes made today.
