A Future to Fight For

by Mindy Obenhaus

  “We’ll still be within earshot.”

  Hand in hand, they picked their way into the woods until they came to a sprawling live oak.

  Taking in the tree’s wide-reaching limbs, she said, “I can’t get over how peaceful it is out here.”

  “It’s even better when you’re here.”

  She turned to find Crockett’s gaze fixed on her. Staring into his eyes, her mouth went dry and her heart couldn’t seem to decide if it should stand still or beat a rhythm like a mighty bass drum. And when his calloused hand cupped her cheek, she thought she might melt into a puddle.

  Leaning into his touch, she closed her eyes, savoring his presence and the aroma of soap, horse and hard work. It seemed like a lifetime since she’d felt this way. Then Crockett’s lips touched hers and she found herself caught up in a heady whirlwind of emotions. She was falling in love with Crockett, of that she had no doubt.

  She wrapped her arms around him, not wanting the moment to end.

  “Got one.” David’s voice carried on the gentle breeze.

  Crockett reluctantly pulled away, leaving her longing for more. “That boy of mine has terrible timing.”

  She laughed softly as he wrapped his arms around her and held her close, making her feel treasured and wanted. A second later, he kissed her forehead and stepped away.

  “Guess I’d better go help him.” He held out his hand.

  “It’s okay, you go on. I’ll catch up.” She needed a moment to rein herself in. That kiss had been as unexpected as it was delightful. Yet as she willed the heat away from her cheeks, another thought wormed its way into her mind, eating away at her euphoria.

  Falling in love meant opening herself up to the possibility of loss. And she didn’t want to go through that ever again.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “You’re sure you want to do this?”

  Decked out in a hard hat, goggles and gloves, Paisley wielded a sledgehammer in the kitchen of the castle the next morning, eyeing Crockett. “We all agreed that the kitchen is a gut job. And since it’s going to be a while before Wes can get his crew in here, why not save them some time by doing what we can?”

  Crockett’s sly grin made her heart quiver. Or, perhaps, it was the memory of his kiss that kept replaying in her mind. “You think this is going to be easy, don’t you?”

  “Maybe. Not really. But I bet it’ll be fun.”

  “I don’t think we’ll need the sledgehammer, though.”

  She frowned. “Why not?”

  “These cabinets are made of some quality oak. We should try to salvage them and, if the Renwicks agree, which I’m sure they will, they can be donated and reused.”

  “That’s actually a really good idea.”

  He puffed his chest out, further straining the fabric of his T-shirt. “It happens on occasion.”

  More than occasionally. His idea to take the kids horseback riding ranked right up there, too.

  “So, instead of using this—” he took the sledgehammer from her and set it against the wall “—we’re going to use this.” He held up a drill.

  “Why do guys always find a way to use power tools?”

  “Because they’re faster. Now let’s get to work.”

  They did just that and by the time lunch rolled around, they’d removed half of the upper cabinets and moved them into the dining room. They were heavy and cumbersome, not to mention a little greasy, but at least they were making progress.

  “I think I’m ready for a break.” Crockett swept his forearm across his brow.

  Looking at the now-empty spaces, she said, “I believe we’ve earned it.”

  Her phone buzzed in her back pocket. Noting the number, she tugged off her gloves to answer it. “Hello.”

  “Hi, Paisley. This is Sandy over at The Stitch House. I’ve got your order ready to go.”

  “That’s wonderful! I can’t wait to see them.” She’d dropped off a diaper bag, blanket and bib to be embroidered with the name of Laurel’s baby boy.

  “All right, then. We’re here till five.”

  “You know, we’re about to break for lunch, so I’m just going to run over there right now.” It was only a twenty-five-minute drive to the neighboring town of Bluebird.

  “All righty, then. We’ll be lookin’ for you.”

  Crockett eyed her as she ended the call. “Sounds like I’m on my own for lunch.”

  “I thought you said you needed to run by the plant.”

  “I do.” Taking a step closer, he slipped an arm around her waist. “That’s not near as enticing as having lunch with you, though.” He dropped a quick kiss on her lips before releasing her.

  “Shall we meet back here, or will you be staying at the plant?”

  “I’ll have to call and let you know.”

  Removing her hat and goggles, she said, “All right. I will see you later.”

  She pulled away from the castle and drove west of Bliss to hop on the state highway. As she sped past ranches and the occasional shop, Crockett was never far from her mind. She still couldn’t get over how his attitude had changed this past week. Had he really been able to shake off his fears?

  After exiting, she made her way into Bluebird proper until she reached Main Street. Moments later, she parked in front of The Stitch House, a quaint little shop that catered to enthusiasts of any type of needlework, whether it was sewing, embroidery, knitting or crochet.

  Pushing through the door of the narrow building, her eye was immediately drawn to the colorful skeins of yarn covering the back wall. Walls to the right and left held bolts of fabric in an array of colors and patterns.

  “Hi, Paisley.” Sandy poked her head out of the back room. “Let me grab your order.” In no time, she reappeared and laid the items on one of three wooden tables that ran down the middle of the store.

  “These are so cute.” Paisley fingered the navy lettering on the gray diaper bag, her gaze taking in the light gray microfiber blanket and the bib embroidered with the identical color and whimsical font. “Laurel is going to love these.”

  After paying, she returned to her SUV and headed back to Bliss, her heart set on stopping by Rae’s for some lunch so that she could show her friend the items.

  She merged onto the highway, thinking that embroidered fleece blankets might make nice gifts for David and Mackenzie, too. She’d have to keep her eye out for something that would suit their personalities.

  Cruising along in the right-hand lane, she noticed the semi coming up on her left in her side mirror. And as she glanced at her rearview mirror, she saw a pickup truck bearing down on her bumper.

  She huffed out a breath. “Mister, if you think that’s going to make me speed up, you’re mistaken.”

  As soon as the semi had inched far enough forward, the pickup whipped into the other lane, practically clinging to the semi’s rear end.

  The whole scene irritated Paisley. Just because the fellow in the pickup was in a hurry didn’t mean he had to jeopardize the safety of others.

  She eased up on the gas, allowing the semi to fully pass. It’d barely cleared her vehicle when the pickup zoomed past her, aiming for the small gap between her and the semi.

  Anxiety swelled in her chest, her grip tightening on the wheel. She took her foot off the gas, but it was too late. The pickup plowed ahead, clipping her bumper in the process.

  Her heartbeat thundered in her ears as her SUV lurched to the right. She eyed the steep grade beyond the shoulder and overcorrected. Left then right.

  When she finally came to a stop at the side of the road, she put the vehicle into Park and dropped her head against the steering wheel. Terror pulsed through her veins as images of Peter and Logan’s wreckage played through her mind.

  That could have been her.

  Her phone rang, jarring her from the turmoil. She looked a
t the screen on her dash to see Mackenzie’s name. Before she could think better of it, she fingered the answer button.

  “H-hello.”

  “It’s Mackenzie. I just wanted to call and tell you how excited I am about our trip Saturday. What time should I be ready?”

  Their shopping trip to the city.

  Paisley stared at the cars whizzing past her. What if Mackenzie had been with her? What if something happened Saturday? She’d promised Crockett she’d keep Mackenzie safe and sound, but what if she couldn’t? Peter hadn’t been able to protect Logan.

  Tears pricked the backs of her eyes. She couldn’t do it. Couldn’t put Mackenzie at risk like that. No matter how much it hurt her.

  “Ms. Paisley?”

  She sucked in a breath. “I—I’m here. Um, I’m afraid we’re going to have to cancel our trip. Something’s come up, and I’m not going to be able to go.”

  “Oh. That’s okay. We can go another time.”

  Paisley squeezed her eyes shut. “I don’t know. Things will be getting busy at the castle soon. I don’t think I’ll be able to break away.”

  “Oh.” The girl was quiet for a long while. Finally, “I guess I’ll talk to you later, then.” Her voice cracked as she said goodbye, piercing Paisley’s heart.

  She’d disappointed Crockett’s daughter the same way Crockett’s ex-wife had. But Paisley would rather see Mackenzie alive and well and upset with her rather than see Crockett go through what Paisley had endured, even if he ended up hating her, too.

  Again, the images of Peter’s crash blazed through her mind. She recalled the hopelessness she’d felt in the weeks and months that followed. She never wanted to feel that way again.

  But sitting there on the side of the road, fear slowly ebbing, she was reminded that life held no guarantees and love did not conquer all. Sometimes it tore you apart. She should know, she’d been torn to shreds.

  If her relationship with Crockett progressed and something happened to him or his children, she’d never survive. That was a risk she wasn’t willing to take.

  * * *

  By the next morning, Crockett was a wreck. From the moment Mac had called him when he was on his way back to the castle yesterday, he’d been trying to find Paisley. He couldn’t understand why she’d cancel her shopping trip with his daughter when she knew how much Mac had been looking forward to it. Backing out just didn’t fit Paisley’s MO.

  But when Paisley never returned to the castle and wouldn’t answer his calls, he began to worry. He’d even gone by her house multiple times, but she wasn’t there. Or if she was, she didn’t open the door.

  Finally, he’d stopped by Rae’s after hours, knowing Rae lived above the café, to ask if she’d heard from Paisley. She, too, tried calling, only to have it go straight to voice mail. They’d even called the shop over in Bluebird to see if she’d made it there to pick up her order. She had, but what happened to her after that was a mystery.

  Worry had kept him awake most of the night. Had she had an accident? Was she lying in a ditch somewhere, injured? Had she been abducted? He watched the news enough to know that there was a whole lot of crazy in the world today.

  As soon as Ashley arrived to watch the kids, he hightailed it into town, again calling Paisley’s phone in hopes she would answer. When she didn’t, he checked the castle first, then her house, only to discover nothing had changed since yesterday. Finally, he headed over to Rae’s to see if she’d heard anything.

  Standing behind the counter with a coffeepot in her hand, she said, “I got a text from her about four this morning, letting me know that she wasn’t feeling well and wouldn’t be bringing any baked goods in today. I texted her back, but she never responded.”

  “So, if she was home, why wouldn’t she answer the door?” And why hadn’t she contacted him?

  “Good question.”

  “Unless she was too sick to make it to the door.” He hated the thought of her lying on the floor somewhere without anyone to help her.

  “I gotta tell ya, Crockett, this’s really got me perplexed.” Rae looked at him rather strangely. “Did something happen between the two of you?”

  Other than a couple of incredible kisses? “We didn’t have an argument or anything if that’s what you mean. On the contrary, she came out to the ranch Wednesday night and went horseback riding with me and the kids. Then we started demoing the kitchen at the castle yesterday morning, until we broke for lunch and she went to Bluebird and I ran to my office. We were getting along great.” Better than great, actually. With the good Lord’s help, Crockett had finally given in to his feelings for Paisley, and her response had him soaring to new heights.

  “I’ll try her again in a little while.” Rae eyed the ranchers waiting to have their cups refilled.

  “I’m going to run over there again.” He hurried to the door, praying Paisley would let him in this time.

  A few minutes later, he was on Paisley’s porch, banging on her door. “I know you’re in there, Paisley. Please, let me in so I can help you.”

  Sweat beaded his brow as the seconds ticked by until he heard the dead bolt click. He yanked the screen door open as she appeared in the doorway. Wearing gray yoga pants and a Bulldog sweatshirt, she peered up at him, those beautiful copper waves spilling over her shoulders in a tangled mess. She didn’t look sick, but she didn’t look like herself either.

  “What’s going on?” He stepped inside and closed the door behind him. “I’ve been worried about you. You didn’t take my calls. I wish you’d let me know you were okay.”

  Her expression was almost vacant. Emotionless. He’d never seen her like this.

  Arms crossed over her chest, she said, “I’m sorry I had to disappoint Mackenzie, but I just didn’t think it was appropriate for her and me to make a trip like that.”

  “Why not? I mean, if it wasn’t appropriate, why did you bring it up in the first place?”

  “Things were different then. Between you and me.”

  His chest tightened as he stared into her sapphire eyes. “I don’t get it.”

  “This—” she waved a hand between the two of them “—isn’t going to work.”

  His heart tanked as a battle of emotions warred within him. “Funny, you seemed to be okay with it yesterday morning and the night before that. Then you go to pick up a gift and suddenly things aren’t going to work? What changed, Paisley?”

  “I did.” Her gaze narrowed as she squared her shoulders. “I don’t want a relationship with you outside of the castle.”

  Anger burned in his belly. He knew this scene all too well. He’d vowed to never watch it play out again and yet here he was. “Outside of the castle, huh?” Hands on his hips, he shook his head, realizing he’d been duped again. Sucked in by a beautiful woman with her own agenda. “I gotta hand it to you, Paisley. You’re good. Even better than my ex.”

  She glared at him.

  “Nothing you did or said was ever about me or my children, was it? Everything between us was an act just so you could fulfill your dream. You were willing to do anything to make that happen, weren’t you? Even if you had to break some hearts along the way. Including those of a boy and girl who’ve already been through an emotional wringer. Well, you can count me out on the castle because I refuse to be manipulated again.”

  Turning, he jerked open the door and walked out of the house. He’d never imagined that he could be any angrier than he’d been when Shannon told him she was leaving, but he’d been wrong. Problem was, a good bit of that anger was directed at himself. How stupid could he be to allow himself to be fooled again?

  He threw himself into his truck, fired up the engine and stepped on the gas so hard his tires squealed. Not that he cared. He just wanted to get as far away from Paisley Wainwright as possible. How foolish was he to think that she was interested in him? Instead, he’d been nothing but a paw
n. She wanted the castle, and she was willing to do anything or use anyone to get it. She didn’t care about him any more than his mother or Shannon had. Yet he’d fallen for her act.

  When was he going to learn that he wasn’t worth loving?

  Chapter Sixteen

  Paisley stood at her kitchen island later that afternoon, fixing a cup of honey-lavender tea. Every fiber of her being ached with grief. It was a feeling she knew well and had never wanted to experience again. In some ways this was worse than losing Peter and Logan because in trying to spare herself, she’d hurt others. Crockett, Mackenzie and David had found their way into her heart, and now she’d caused them pain, all because of her fear.

  Suddenly, her motives seemed rather selfish. But what was done was done. She couldn’t turn back now. Crockett would never forgive her. She just hoped the ache in her heart would subside someday, as it had before.

  She removed the tea bag and set it aside, thinking about how quickly Crockett had drawn his own conclusions. He’d made her out to be worse than his ex-wife, and it stung. But then, that’s what she wanted, wasn’t it?

  At what cost, though? His children would not only hate her, but believe they meant nothing to her. She’d seen how deep Crockett’s wounds were from being abandoned by his mother and wife. Now she’d laid them wide open.

  A knock sounded at her back door, and she looked up to see Christa and Laurel on her porch.

  With a deep breath, she padded across the kitchen and opened the door. “What’s going on?”

  “We heard you weren’t feeling well, so we came to check on you.” Christa whisked past her with Laurel on her heels. “Rae would have come, too, but she didn’t want to leave Maggie and Max.”

  Paisley closed the door. This was the first time she’d ever missed a day of baking for Rae, but she hadn’t been able to muster the strength.

  “We also heard that Crockett was frantically trying to find you.” Laurel stopped beside the table, resting her hand atop her baby bump as she looked at Paisley. “Did he?”