The Fire You Hold (Heritage Series Book 2)

by Ciana Stone

  Not one little bit.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Everyone applauded as Rusty took a bow. "He's one hell of a roper," Harley said, looking down at Nash from where she sat on horseback. They and the rest of the family had spent the last hour at the paddock, watching her give Rusty pointers and seeing just how talented Rusty was. He impressed the heck out of Harley and she was convinced he would do well at the National Rodeo.

  "Dad!" Rusty's yell had her looking in his direction the same moment Nash turned. "Dad!"

  It wasn't a shout of excitement, it was one of fear.

  "Shit!" Nash cut a look at Mace. "Mace? Gun!" At that moment a cougar who was skin and bones vaulted the fence and headed toward Rusty.

  "No, time," Mace grabbed a pitchfork leaning beside a wheelbarrow of hay and vaulted the fence with it.

  "He won't make it," Harley said to Nash. "And Rusty's dead if he runs."

  She could see that Rusty's fear was making the cat bold. Its head was lowered, and lips pulled back in a snarl that rumbled loudly in the silence as it stalked toward Rusty. Harley suddenly flashed back to her teenage years and seeing a mountain lion kill a calf on her grandparents' ranch.

  That thought spurred her into action. "I'll get him." She didn't consider whether the cat might attack her or her horse, only that she had to save Rusty.

  "Harley, no." Nash protested, but she ignored him.

  "Rusty when I get there hold out your hand and I'll swing you on with me," she yelled as she kicked the horse into motion.

  "Rusty! Come on, buddy, look at me!" She yelled and barreled toward him.

  The horse was aware of the cat and Harley feared it would fight her, but it was well trained and stayed the course, racing across the paddock. Rusty's eyes were on the cougar and Harley yelled again. "Look at me, Rusty. Almost there. Raise your arm, buddy. Raise it and take my hand!"

  She feared he wouldn't be able to move for the fear, but at the last moment, he raised his arm and reached for her as she raced to him. Harley had a death grip on the horse with her legs, and her left hand on the saddle horn. She leaned out as far as she could, reaching with her right hand.

  "Got'cha!" she yelled as her hand locked around his wrist and his closed on hers. She straightened, swinging him up. He wrapped around her body like a leech as she turned the horse away from the cat and headed for the gate.

  By the time they cleared the gate, Mace and Nash were in the paddock with the cougar, armed with pitchforks. "Take him!" Harley screamed to Kal, and he quickly helped Rusty off the horse. "Open the gate!" she yelled, and when DeLyn did, she grabbed the lasso off the fence and galloped back into the paddock.

  "Harley, no!" Nash yelled, but she ignored him.

  The cat screamed a warning and lowered itself, in what looked like preparation to leap. Harley raced the horse straight at the cat and then cut quickly to one side just as the cat started to back up. With skill born of years of practice she threw the lasso.

  The rope circled the puma's neck and tightened. The cat went wild fighting. Harley had never been in such a situation and was literally terrified by the sight. But she backed the horse up, keeping the tension on the rope.

  "Mace!" A shout from the fence had Mace running over to where Jordan was at the gate, holding a rifle. Mace grabbed it and ran back to where Harley had the horse holding firm. Nash stood on the other side of her, his pitchfork pointed at the cat.

  Mace raised the rifle, took aim and fired. The cat's body literally lifted off the ground and flipped back as a blossom of blood appeared on its head between its eyes.

  "Dad!" Suddenly Rusty was launching himself into Nash's arms. Nash caught and held him, turning to look at Harley.

  "Thank you," he mouthed.

  She nodded, not really trusting her voice yet. Heck, it wasn't the only thing she didn't currently trust. She wasn't sure she could dismount. Her entire body was vibrating, and she almost felt sick to the stomach as the rush of adrenaline started to dissipate.

  "You saved me," Rusty scrambled from his dad's arms and reached out to Harley.

  There was nothing on earth that would have kept her from climbing out of that saddle and opening her arms to Rusty. He threw himself into her arms and clung tightly. "Thank you."

  "Well, I couldn't let my future roping partner get hurt, now could I?"

  "Roping partner?" He drew back and grinned at her.

  "Heck yeah. Seems to me, there's never been an adult female and boy roping team before, so I think maybe it's time we started training to break some rules and records. What do you think?"

  "I do!" he hugged her again. "I love you, Miss Harley."

  "I love you too buddy," she smiled through tears and held him tight.

  He finally let go and looked at his dad. "Can I call Pops and tell him what happened?"

  Nash smiled. "Sure, but let's get this mess cleaned up first okay? And Uncle Mace and I need to talk to Jordan and make sure we have patrols set up. That might not be the only cat around and we don't want to take any chances.

  "What say you help Miss Harley take care of Woodstock and then head on to the house? We'll be there as soon as we're finished here."

  "Okay, dad. I'm gonna tell Gigi the plan."

  "Good idea."

  As soon as Rusty ran off, Nash stepped over to Harley. "How do you say thank you to someone who risked their life to save your child?"

  "Keep her from making a fool of herself by falling down in front of everyone. My legs are shaking."

  Nash smiled and put his arms around her. "Thank you, Harley. And I'm sorry he put you on the spot with the love stuff."

  She drew back enough to look up at him, despite wanting to stay wrapped safely in his arms. "He didn't. And I didn't lie. I'm crazy about that kid, Nash. I wish he were mine."

  "I think he feels the same. I owe you, Harley. Rusty's my life, and I know what you risked to save him."

  "You don't owe me anything. Honestly."

  "There has to be something I can do to show my gratitude."

  "Then kiss me, Nash. Right here in front of God and everyone."

  He didn't hesitate, and when their lips met, Harley realized that she'd taken the fall. She was in love with Nash.

  "Are you going to call your father and tell him?" She asked when the kiss ended, more as a way to take her mind off the sudden epiphany than anything else.

  "Yeah, I will, but not until we've gotten rid of the carcass, have a patrol schedule set up and –"

  "Sorry to interrupt, but shouldn't you have the cougar tested to see if it was rabid?"

  "Shit, you're right. We'll put the body on ice and call a vet in the morning."

  "Or Naomie?"

  "You're right. When the heck is she coming home, anyway?"

  "I don't know. She's been pretty vague about it."

  "You don't think she's gone for good, do you?"

  "I don't know, Nash. Things are– well things are what they are, and I can't break confidence but I can say that you have eyes, so you've seen the way things are between her and your dad. Something pretty big had to have happened for her to run out on him like that, and I guess when she's ready she'll tell me what it is."

  "I hope like hell she comes back," Nash offered his hand to her as he took the reins of the horse in his other. "She makes him better, you know? More caring, more tolerant. He's in love with her, but I think it scares him."

  "Because of the age difference."

  "Yeah. That's pretty silly huh?"

  "It is to me. But we all have our quirks and I guess if they're meant to be together that's how they'll end up."

  "I suppose. I hope that's what will happen. She seems to really care."

  "Yes, she sure does." Harley gave him a smile, thinking that if he knew just how in love Naomie was with his father, he might feel sorry for her. Harley did. Naomie wasn’t the kind of person who gave her heart easily, and definitely not without holding something back.

  But she'd done just that with Russell.
Harley hoped like hell, he wouldn't break Naomie's heart, because if he did it was going to be almost impossible for her to feel kindly towards him and that's not the way she wanted to be about the father of the man she loved.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Naomie and Russell stopped on the terrace to ask about having chairs and an umbrella set up on the beach for them. A woman was waiting there as well, and she turned to look at them when they walked up.

  "Wow, wanna trade?" She asked Naomie and then looked Russell up and down.

  "Trade?" Naomie asked, then suddenly got it. "Oh? No. Not a chance."

  "I don't blame you. Damn. Mine might get lucky tonight after all."

  Naomie chuckled and slipped her arm around Russell's waist. "Where is your… partner?"

  "Husband, and that's him over there at the bar, getting drinks."

  Naomie and Russell looked and then Naomie smiled at the woman. "Honeymoon? Anniversary?"

  "Anniversary, five years. You? No, wait, let me guess. Newlyweds, right?"

  "Right," Naomie agreed.

  "You got lucky, girl."

  "Didn't I?"

  Just then an attendant returned. "Mrs. Wiepoole, how may I help you?"

  "We need some chairs and an umbrella set up on the beach."

  "Yes, of course, right away."

  "Well, I guess we'll see you out there," the woman said to Naomie and then looked Russell up and down. "Have your chairs placed close. We can share… um a bottle of wine, maybe."

  "How kind," Russell replied.

  "Don't mention it." The woman offered her hand. "Donna Wiepoole."

  "Mrs. Wiepoole," Russell shook her hand and then turned his attention to the attendant. "Chairs and an umbrella, please."

  "You're a guest, of course?"

  "Yes."

  "Excellent, what room shall we bill it to?"

  "The penthouse."

  "Oh, yes, yes, of course, sir. Right away."

  "Thank you. And we'd like a bit of privacy if you can make that happen." Russell turned and pulled Naomie with him, ignoring Mrs. Wiepoole who was still staring.

  "Absolutely, sir."

  Naomie smiled up at him as they headed for the beach. "Poor Mrs. Wiepoole, she looks so crestfallen."

  "That's a shameful way for a married woman to behave."

  "What? Like she would love to lick you like a lollipop?"

  Russell laughed. "I wouldn't have put it that way."

  "I would."

  "She doesn’t seem much interested in Mr. Wiepoole."

  Naomie cut a look over her shoulder. "I'm betting Mr. Wiepoole's most attractive feature is his bank account."

  "That's uncustomarily catty of you. What makes you say that?"

  "Botox, lip fillers, after-market breasts, liposuction, at least a five-carat diamond, two-carat diamond earrings and a diamond tennis bracelet that must be sporting six carats all combined. She has on designer everything, her hair has not gotten near water, and I'm betting her tan comes from being sprayed on. And the way she came onto you."

  "Wow, you saw all that?"

  "Yeah, didn't you?"

  "No, I wasn't paying attention."

  "Then what were you looking at?"

  "You." He smiled at her. "What else?"

  "Oh damn, you are so good at that."

  "Just telling the truth."

  Naomie chuckled and picked up the pace. Before they reached the end of the soft sand, four beach attendants were hurrying to set up chairs and a big beach canopy that looked to her like a little sultan's tent.

  "Well, look what the word penthouse will get you," she commented as one of the attendants hurried over.

  "Would you care for refreshments, Mr. Walker?"

  "Sure, some drinks would be nice."

  "Alcoholic or non?"

  Russell looked at Naomie. "What do you want?"

  "A big tray of fruit and something fruity with rum."

  "Yes, Mrs. Walker. We'll get that right out to you."

  "Oh, I'm not–"

  "She isn't in a hurry," Russell interrupted. "Could you perhaps bring some towels as well?"

  "Yes sir, right away." The attendant motioned to the other men, and they all finished up and hurried away.

  Naomie walked under the shade of the beach tent, stepped out of her sandals and removed her skirt, dropping it on a chair. "Wanna get wet?"

  "If that’s what you want."

  Russell removed his shirt, and she quickly stepped up close enough to place both hands on his chest and let them start a slow slide down his torso. "What I want right now could get us arrested."

  She wasn't exaggerating. Why Russell was so loathe to be in swimwear was a mystery. He might be in his late fifties, but his body didn't show it. He was still taut and firm, with developed chest, firm and defined abdominal muscles and arms that were muscular. Hair liberally dusted his chest and torso, cutting a tantalizing trail into the top of his swim trunks which hung just a tad loose, exposing several inches of flesh beneath his belly-button.

  With slim hips and a butt that made her want to grab and squeeze, he had a hell of a sexy body, one she'd purely love to spend an extended amount of time touching and tasting.

  As her fingers reached the top band of his swim shorts, he took them in his. "Come on, let's take this to the water."

  Together they ran to the water, splashing out until they were deep enough, and then Naomie dove. She swam a few yards and then surfaced. A moment later, he rose in front of her, and the sight literally took her breath.

  Naomie let go of doubts and worries, of the 'what if's' and everything that prevented her from moving close enough to reach up and place one hand behind his neck, pulling him down to meet her kiss.

  She felt his hands take hold of her waist and tighten long enough to pull her more firmly against him, then they drifted around to her back and down to cup her ass. She wound her free arm up and circled his neck, at the same time, raised one leg to hook it around his body.

  Russell was the first to break free of the kiss. He leaned her back, and his lips traveled down her neck and between her breasts as he held her, floating on the surface with her hair flowing around her.

  When his mouth moved to her belly, he stood her up and sank beneath the surface. Naomie went weak-kneed when his mouth closed over her sex, biting down just enough to make her gasp.

  She pulled him up, and this time her kiss wasn't restrained in the least. Her hands went south of his waistband, feeling the hardness beneath the fabric. "Hmm," she murmured against his mouth.

  "Witch," he mouthed.

  She pulled back and pointed to the scale pattern on the fabric of her bathing suit. "Siren."

  "Siren who's determined to kill me."

  "Oh, look who's talking."

  He smiled and made a grab for her, but she squealed and dove backward. For the next hour it was on, them chasing, fondling, making out in the water and not caring who might see them. For the first and only time since she'd known him, she saw the man Russ could be when he didn't carry so much on his shoulders. When he was just hers.

  And that broke her. Broke her resolve, broke her will. No matter how much he might hurt her, she could no more walk away from him than she could stop breathing. Something would have to end her to erase what she felt for him.

  "I'd kill for something to drink," she commented.

  "Looks like the hotel has things set up," he jerked his thumb in the direction of their beach tent.

  "And oh shit," Naomie frowned. There was Donna Wiepoole, not five feet away, wading toward them.

  "Hi there!" She waved and smiled, at Russell, naturally.

  Just as she reached them, she appeared to stumble and reached out to grab hold of Russell. Once she had her hands on him, she quickly moved close, pressing up against him. "Oh, nice." She ran one hand over his chest. "You sure you don't want to trade for a few hours?"

  "No thanks," he took hold of her hand and moved it away from his chest.

  Naomie
didn’t know who was more surprised when Donna's free hand moved to his groin. "Oh hell no," Naomie reacted before she even thought about it, grabbed a handful of Donna's hair and jerked.

  Donna's arms and legs flailed as Naomie shoved her under the water. "Don't drown her," Russell warned.

  "Don't worry, she's still moving," Naomie then jerked the woman up. "I have one word for you, Donna, so listen closely."

  Donna sputtered and slung her hair back. Makeup streamed down her face in black rivulets from her eyes. "What?"

  "Mine." Naomie, being a good five inches taller, towered over Donna.

  "Bitch," Donna spit.

  "Careful," Russell warned.

  "Fuck you," Donna spit.

  "Not in this lifetime."

  "Whatever." Donna waded off, clearly infuriated.

  "Well," Russell looked at Naomie, and they both burst out laughing. "Come on, let's get something to drink."

  Once they reached their pavilion, Russell sat, then leaned back on one of the chaise lounges. Naomie looked in the portable bar that'd been set up, pulled out a bucket of ice, a pitcher of what looked like punch and filled two of the glasses that waited in the cooler.

  She then stepped across Russell's lounge chair with one leg and sat on his thighs. She offered him a drink, then clinked her glass to his when he accepted. "To fantasy."

  "Fantasy?" He sampled the drink.

  "Umm," she took a long drink and then smiled at him. "It's like a fantasy here. Well, it is now that you're here – that we're here."

  "Yes, it is. It makes reality far less appealing."

  "Well, we don't have to face reality until tomorrow."

  "And until then?"

  Naomie leaned over and kissed him. He ended the kiss long before she was ready for it to stop, but to her delight, set the glasses aside and stretched to the side to take hold of a cord that held back the sheer drapes of the tent.

  When he pulled it, the side panels and the one facing land, fell into place, blowing in the breeze but provided an opaque shield around all but the ocean view.

  His gaze caught and captured hers as his hands moved to her legs; caressing their way up. Naomie leaned over for another kiss and two seconds later, her breath hitched when he slid the bottom of her swimsuit aside, and his hand cupped her.