Buckhorn Beginnings

by Lori Foster

  Honey started, but in the next instant she scowled and tightened her hand on the phone. Sawyer felt a swell of pride for her courage.

  “Have you been looking for me?”

  “You’re goddamned right, I’ve been looking for you. For God’s sake, Honey, I thought you were dead.”

  Honey stared at the phone, her entire body trembling with rage. “Why would you think that, Alden? I left because I didn’t want to marry you. Didn’t you read my note?”

  Her calm tone seemed to sink in to him. She heard him breathing heavily in an effort to control himself. “Yes, I read it. Where are you, Honey?”

  She stared at her hands on the desk, not at the men who watched her so closely. “I’m afraid, Alden. Someone has been chasing after me.”

  He muttered low, then said in sugary tones, “Have you spoken with anyone?”

  “About what? Our breakup?”

  “About… Dammit, never mind that. Where are you living now? I’ll come get you.”

  “I’m not living anywhere.” In a calculated lie, she said, “I’ve been so afraid, just running from whoever is after me. I haven’t had a chance to unpack. My clothes were all left at my sister’s, but everything else is still in boxes in my trunk. I shouldn’t have left, Alden. My father doesn’t believe someone is after me, so I can’t go to him.”

  “I know,” he answered in soothing tones. “He’s never been overly concerned for you. But I am, sweetheart. You know that. I wanted to marry you long before I learned about his will. If you want, we’ll make him change it. He can leave everything to your sister. I don’t care about the money, I just want you back with me, safe and sound. Tell me where you are so I can come get you.”

  “I don’t know….” She tried to put just the right amount of hesitation into her tone.

  “Listen to me, damn you!” He made a sound of pain and cursed. “People are after you, and they’re dangerous. I know because they already put me in the hospital once. I spent almost a week there and I can tell you it wasn’t pleasant!”

  Honey glanced at Sawyer and saw his dark eyes glint with satisfaction. She held no sympathy for Alden, either, but knowing they’d hurt him scared her spitless. She didn’t want the men anywhere near Sawyer or his family. “Why would anyone hurt you, Alden?”

  “I don’t know. I think it might have something to do with a shady deal your father made to buy some inside corporate information.”

  Honey raised her brows. That was an excellent lie, because it was one she would have believed. She made sounds of understanding, and Alden continued. “They won’t hesitate to do the same to you, Honey. Let me bring you home where I can protect you while we sort this all out.”

  Sawyer covered the mouthpiece. “Tell him to meet you here tomorrow.” He handed her a piece of paper that Morgan had slipped to him. Honey stared down at the address, recognizing that the location was an area on the outskirts of Buckhorn. Numbly, she shook her head, knowing he planned to put himself in danger. “No.”

  “No what?” Alden tried cajoling. “Listen to me, Honey. I know you feel betrayed. And I’m sorry. I really do care for you—”

  “Let me think, Alden!”

  Sawyer walked over to her and gripped her shoulder. He shoved the paper toward her again, then whispered low, “Trust us, Honey. Tell him.”

  They were all looking at her, waiting. How in the world could she do this to them? She loved each of them. Then Morgan gave her the most furious face she’d ever seen on a human. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his sheriff’s badge, flashing it at her as if to remind her this was his job, as if her hesitation had insulted him mightily.

  Jordan shrugged at her, and he, too, spoke in a faint whisper. “Either you have him come here, on our own home ground where Morgan has some legal leverage, or we go after him. It’s your decision.”

  She narrowed her eyes at the lot of them. Bullies, every one. They had the nasty habit of ganging up on her whenever it suited them.

  Alden suddenly asked, “Who’s with you?” and suspicion laced his tone.

  Knowing she had no choice and hating Alden for it, she did as the brothers asked. “I’m in a diner in a small town in southern Kentucky.” She glanced at the note again, then said, “You can meet me in Buckhorn at the town landfill at nine o’clock tomorrow morning. It’s…it’s deserted. There won’t be anyone around.”

  Sawyer nodded and whispered, “Good girl,” and she elbowed him hard. He rubbed his stomach and scowled at her.

  “Can you give me directions, sweetheart?” Alden sounded anxious, and Honey’s stomach knotted with dread even as she did as he asked.

  “Just hang on until tomorrow morning, darling. You’ll feel safer as soon as I get you home.”

  Though she nearly choked on it, she said, “Thank you,” and after she hung up the phone, she glared at all the men, but concentrated most of her ire on Sawyer. “I hope you’re happy,” she meant to growl, but what emerged was a pathetic wail quickly followed by tears. The brothers looked appalled, and Sawyer, his face softening with sympathy, reached for her. Honey knew if he so much as touched her she’d completely fall apart, so she ran from the room.

  She didn’t want him to confront Alden. She didn’t want him in danger. At the moment, she wished she’d never laid eyes on him. At least then she’d know he would stay safe, and because she loved him so damn much, even though he didn’t feel the same, his safety was the only thing that seemed to matter.

  She wanted to pretend sleep when Sawyer crept into the dark bedroom hours later, but she was shaking so bad, he knew right away she was awake. He sat on the side of the bed and smoothed his hand over her cheek.

  “Are you all right, sweetheart?”

  “Yes. Did you make all your plans?”

  His hesitation was like an alarm, making her sit up. “Tell me, Sawyer.”

  “You’ll stay here with Casey and Gabe.”

  “No. If you insist on doing this…”

  “I do. Morgan has alerted the state police, and once Alden shows up, we’ll grab him. There’s no reason to worry.”

  “Like you wouldn’t if you were left behind!”

  “Honey…”

  She hated acting like a desperate ninny, but she was choking on her helplessness, and she didn’t like it. “If Morgan and the police have it in hand, why do you need to go?”

  “Because he hurt you.”

  His quiet words nearly crumbled her heart. She launched herself at him and knocked him backward on the bed. “Sawyer.”

  He couldn’t answer because she was kissing him, his face, his throat, his ear. Sawyer chuckled softly and tried to hold her still, but she reared back and tugged on the fastening to his pants. Surprised, but more than willing, Sawyer lifted his hips and helped her to get his pants off, removing his underwear at the same time. Honey stretched out over him, relishing the feel of his hot, hard flesh. She loved him so much, she wanted to absorb him, his caring, his strength and honor.

  Sawyer groaned as she pressed against his pelvis, rocking gently. She felt the immediate rise of his erection along with his accelerated breaths. “Honey, slow down.”

  She had no intention of listening to him. Moving quickly to the side, she caressed him from shoulders to hip. His hands fell to the mattress, and his body stiffened. Honey bent and kissed his chest. “I love how you feel, Sawyer, how you smell, and how you…taste.”

  He caught his breath, then let it out in a whoosh when her mouth began trailing kisses down his chest to his abdomen. Both of his hands cupped her head, his fingers tangling gently in her long hair.

  Her hand wrapped tightly around his erection, holding him secure, giving him fair warning of her intent. She heard a low growl and knew it was Sawyer.

  Rubbing her face over his muscled abdomen, she whispered, “You know how you’ve done this to me?”

  “This?” The word was a strangled gasp.

  “Mmm, this,” she clarified, and lightly ran her tongue down the length
of his penis.

  “Damn.” His entire body jerked and strained, his hands tightening in her hair.

  “And…this.” She gently raked her teeth over him, down and then back up again.

  “Honey.”

  “And this.” His body lurched as her mouth closed hotly around him. She’d had no idea that pleasuring him would pleasure her, as well, but her heart raced with the incredible scent and taste of him and the muttered roughness of his curses. He slowly guided her head, his entire body drawn taut, his heels digging hard into the mattress.

  She had no real idea how to proceed—she’d never done this before—but it seemed he enjoyed everything, so she supposed her inexperience didn’t matter. But before long he was pulling her away despite her protests.

  “You’re a witch,” he growled, then tucked her beneath him after hastily donning a condom. He entered her with one solid thrust, and she bit back a loud moan of acute sensation. As he moved over, his rhythm smooth and deep, he watched her face. “You liked doing that, didn’t you?”

  The room was dark, but moonlight spilled over the bed through the French doors, and she could see the intent expression on his face, how his eyes seemed to glow.

  She licked her lips and felt his thrusts deepen. “Very much.” Smoothing a hand over his back, she asked, “Do you like doing it to me?”

  He froze for a heartbeat, struggling for control, then with a vicious curse he wrapped her up tight, holding her as close as he could get her. “Hell, yes, I like it,” he growled. His thrusts were suddenly hard and fast and frantic, and when she cried out, her entire body flooding with sensation, he joined her.

  And through it all, his arms were around her, and she heard him whisper again. “I like it too much.”

  JORDAN STUCK his head in the door but kept his gaze judiciously on the ceiling. He spoke in a near-silent murmur. “I hate to interrupt all this extracurricular activity, but you didn’t hear my knock and we have visitors.”

  Sawyer immediately lifted away from Honey, and answered in the same quiet hush. “Who?”

  “I don’t know for sure. I was in my room about to bed down when I heard a noise. I looked out and saw someone in the shed. If I don’t miss my guess, good old Alden called in the muscle. His bully boys are probably looking for the tape in her car.”

  “Goddammit,” Sawyer hissed, angry at himself, “we should have thought of that.” Sawyer was out of the bed in an instant and pulling on his pants.

  Honey threw herself against his back, wrapping her arms tight around him. “No, Sawyer, just stay inside!”

  “Shh.” He took a moment to gently pry her hands loose and kiss her forehead. “It’s all right, sweetheart.”

  Since she was barely covered by the sheet and evidently didn’t care, it was a good thing Jordan had averted his face. He said without looking at her, “Morgan has called in the troops, sweetie, so don’t get all frantic on me.”

  Sawyer had assumed as much, but he saw it didn’t ease Honey at all. He glanced sharply at Jordan. “Casey?”

  “I sent him to the basement. Gabe is with him, and they’re waiting on her.”

  He nodded. “Come on, Honey. You need to get your robe.”

  “Don’t do this, Sawyer.”

  Her pleading tone unnerved him, but he hardened himself against it. He’d do what he had to to protect her. “There’s no time for this, babe. Come on, have a little trust, okay?”

  She moved reluctantly, but she did scoot off the bed and put her arms into the robe he held for her. Wearing only his slacks, Sawyer followed Jordan out, keeping Honey safely at his back. “How did they know she was here?”

  “Maybe Alden had the phone call traced, or maybe someone in town knows and spilled the beans. She’s been here a couple of weeks now, and you’ve had a line of patients every day. And Honey, once you’ve seen her, isn’t exactly a woman to forget.”

  Sawyer grunted at that. She was so damn sexy she made his muscles go into spasms. Jordan was right; no one would forget her, and her description would be easy enough to peg.

  When they neared the basement steps, Gabe was there waiting. “You owe me for this one, Sawyer. You know how I hate missing all the action.”

  “Keep her safe, and you can name your price.”

  Gabe grinned at that. “If you get a chance, punch the bastards once for me.”

  He handed Honey over to his brother. She hadn’t said another word, and she wouldn’t look at him. Gabe gently put his arm around her. “Come on, sweetie. Casey is looking forward to the company.”

  “Gabe?” Sawyer waited until his brother met his gaze. “Don’t come out, no matter what, until I come for you.”

  “We’ll be fine, Sawyer. Go, but be careful.”

  Sawyer watched Honey disappear down the steps. She was far too passive to suit him at the moment, but he brushed it off. Morgan was already outside and no doubt could use their help. He closed the basement door, heard Gabe turn the lock, and he and Jordan rushed silently out the back door and across the damp grass. They kept low and in the shadows and they found Morgan just where Sawyer knew he would be, peering around the barn, the closest out-building to the shed, keeping the intruders in sight.

  “You two sleuths sounded like a herd of elephants.”

  Morgan’s sibilant mutter was filled with disgust, but Sawyer didn’t take exception. “Did you see anything?”

  “Two men, both big bastards. From the sounds of it, they’re getting into Honey’s car.”

  “Looking for the tape.”

  “I assume. And when they don’t find it, they’ll head for the house.”

  “You see any weapons?”

  Morgan grunted, but the sound was drowned out by the myriad night noises, crickets, frogs, rustling tree branches. An eerie fog, visible through the darkness, drifted over the ground. Morgan wiped his forehead, his gaze still trained on the shed. “They’d be total idiots if they weren’t armed.”

  “Jordan said you put the call in to the state police?”

  “Yeah.” Suddenly he pressed himself back, then glanced at Sawyer. “I don’t think they’re going to make it on time, though.”

  Sawyer curled his hands into fists, easily comprehending Morgan’s meaning. He was on his haunches, and he tightened his muscles, ready to move. There was no way in hell he was letting anyone near the house, not with Honey and Casey inside.

  Morgan reached past him and thrust his gun at Jordan, a silent order for Jordan to be backup. Jordan accepted the gun with a quietly muttered complaint, then braced himself.

  Shadows were visible first, then the dark, indistinct forms of two men creeping quietly across the empty yard. They mumbled to each other, then the one trailing slightly behind growled, “That little bitch has been more trouble than she’s worth. When I get hold of her—”

  Without a word, Morgan launched himself at the first man, who caught the movement too late to turn. Sawyer was right behind him. It gave him enormous satisfaction to hear the grunt of pain from the man who’d threatened Honey as he drove him hard to the ground. His fist connected solidly with a jaw, earning a rank curse before the man shoved him aside with his legs and struggled to his feet. Sawyer faced him, taunting, anxious, confident in his abilities.

  And then he heard Gabe shout, and Honey was racing across the yard, distracting Sawyer for just a moment. The man swung, but she got in the way, and his fist clipped her, knocking her to the ground.

  Sawyer erupted with blind fury. He stood there heaving just long enough to insure Gabe had Honey in hand and that she was all right. He was barely aware of Morgan pounding a man into the dirt, or of Jordan standing silently in the shadows, the gun drawn. He didn’t notice that his son had turned on the floodlights or that the man, knowing he was outnumbered, stood frozen before him, waiting. He’d been dealing with a clamoring swell of emotions all day, pushing him slowly over the edge. And now, seeing Honey hurt, he went into a tailspin. Sawyer felt himself exploding, and with a look of shock, the man r
aised his fists.

  The bastard was large, but not large enough. He was strong, but not strong enough. And he fought dirty, but Sawyer had the advantage of icy rage, and after a few short minutes, Morgan wrapped his arms around Sawyer from behind and pulled him away. “Enough, Sawyer,” he hissed into his ear. “The state guys are here and we don’t need to put on a show.”

  He was still shaking with rage, his knuckles bloody, his heart pounding. Slowly, Honey approached him, and Morgan, using caution, released him.

  She had a swelling bruise beneath her left eye, but it was the uncertainty in her gaze that nearly felled him. Sawyer opened his arms, and with a small sound she threw herself against him.

  He hadn’t wanted responsibility for another wife, but ironically, the more Honey insisted on taking care of herself, the more she agreed with his edicts, the more he wanted her. The fact she didn’t need him, that she was strong and capable and proud, only made her more appealing and made him more determined to coddle her.

  Noise surrounded them, questions, chatter. Sawyer heard Morgan giving directions for Alden to be picked up, but none of it mattered to him. He squeezed her tighter and tried not to make a fool of himself by being overly emotional. She’d been hurt so much already. He tipped her back and kissed the bruise on her cheek. “Are you okay?”

  Her long hair fell forward to hide her face. “Yes. I’m sorry I got in your way. Gabe told me you’d be likely to skin me for it, after he finished fussing over me.”

  “What were you doing out here, sweetheart? I told you to stay safe in the basement.”

  “I snuck out when Gabe wasn’t looking.” She peered up at him, her expression earnest. “I couldn’t stay down there, hiding, while you put yourself in danger for me. I couldn’t.” Her uncertainty melted away, replaced by a pugnacious frown. “And you shouldn’t have asked me to!”

  Sawyer fought a smile. “I’m sorry.”

  She pulled away and paced. The small cat darted out of the bushes to follow her, keeping up with Honey’s agitated stride. It was only then Sawyer realized she was wearing Jordan’s shirt. Her housecoat, or what he could see of it beneath the shirt, looked nearly transparent under the bright floodlights. He glanced at Jordan, who lounged against the barn wall, his arms crossed over his bare chest. Casey stood beside him, looking agog at the men being handcuffed by a bevy of uniformed officers. Morgan was in the hub of it all, a tall figure of authority.