Storming the Castle (Dale Series)

by Arianna Hart

  “It’ll be fine. I’ll help clean it up in the morning.” He nudged her through the hall and into the kitchen.

  Nadya was sitting at the counter drinking a glass of water. J.T. hovered behind her, while Grant looked on with an uncomfortable expression on his face.

  “Are you okay?” Faith asked, noticing Nadya’s skin had a greenish hue to it.

  “I’m fine. The smell of coffee made me queasy, is all. I’m good now.”

  “Let me make you peppermint tea. That helped me when I had morning sickness. Some tea and toast and you’ll feel much better.”

  “Faith, sit.” Sam ushered her to the kitchen table.

  “But, Nadya”

  “I’ll make her the damn tea. I’ll make a whole pot. Sit your ass down before you fall over.”

  “It’s in the”

  “I know where it is.”

  “When did you get so bossy?”

  “When you forgot you weren’t Wonder Woman.”

  “Uh, I hate to interrupt, but I’d like to talk to Faith and get Nadya home,” J.T. said.

  “I’m sorry, of course. What do you need to know?”

  “First of all, what time did you leave tonight?”

  “Nadya came by around six-thirty or so.”

  “I realize this is a silly question, but did you lock the door?”

  “No. I really don’t lock the door that often.” She ruefully remembered locking the door when Sam first came and shook her head at the irony of the situation.

  “I figured as much. Have you noticed anyone driving by lately? An unfamiliar car or someone coming up the drive and turning around?”

  “No, it’s been quiet. Sam’s my only renter.”

  “Have you had any work done, a contractor or someone you don’t know? Mrs. Gage said she saw you buying some electrical wire at the hardware store.”

  “That woman should work for the C.I.A. She’s worse than Mary Ellen,” Nadya said.

  “There are no secrets in small towns,” Grant added from the doorway.

  “I was buying some parts to rewire a light, and Sam did that for me. I didn’t have to hire anyone.”

  “Any renters you remember as paying too much attention to what was going on in your house?”

  “No. You know most of the folks I have are regulars, and what could they have wanted to take anyway? I barely make enough money to keep Piper in shoes and clothes, it’s not like I’m living high on the hog.”

  “Not everyone realizes that. Do you have any thoughts about what they could have been looking for? This doesn’t look like a standard robbery. They were searching for something.”

  “I-ah, no.” The only thing she could think of was Matthew’s cell phone, and there was no way she was telling the chief of police that someone might have been looking to find the evidence she was using for blackmail. Besides, the chances of Lydia Klein breaking into her house were pretty slim.

  “What about the Prentices?” Nadya asked, interrupting Faith’s train of thought.

  “Who are they?” J.T. asked.

  Nadya shot a questioning glace at her, and Faith nodded her permission to fill J.T. in. There really were no secrets in Dale.

  “The Prentices were Faith’s in-laws. They filed a suit to get partial custody of Piper. They could have hired someone to search for something that would make Faith look like an unfit parent.”

  “I didn’t even think of that.” Faith’s stomach rolled. “Can I have a cup of that tea? I think I’ve had enough coffee for one night.” The scorpion bowl she’d split with Mary Ellen sloshed in her stomach, attempting to come back out. Thank heavens, she hadn’t let Mary Ellen convince her to have another one. This was not the way she’d expected the night to end. “I hate the thought of someone in my house, touching my stuff, looking for things that would make me look bad.”

  “They won’t find anything. You’re a wonderful mother,” Nadya said, joining her at the table. “I only brought it up as a possibility, I don’t really think they’d do that.”

  “You don’t know them. They’re control freaks. They couldn’t control Matthew, so now they’re going to try to take my baby away and control her.”

  “We’re not going to let that happen. Shh, it’ll be okay.” Sam stroked her hair.

  “I can call their lawyer in the morning and tell him to back off, if you want.”

  “No, they’d only deny it, and then they’d probably twist it around to say this isn’t a safe place for Piper.” Faith wiped away the rogue tears that escaped.

  “If we’re all done here, I’d like to head out and make sure Ellie got home safely.”

  “I’ll finish up here. See you in the morning,” J.T. said.

  Grant packed some stuff into various bags and cases and left with a wave.

  “Why don’t you try to get some sleep? I’ll come back in the morning, and you can tell me if anything is missing. I doubt they had a chance to get much, though. Sam said Sadie here was on the scene quick as a lick.”

  “She’s a good girl,” Faith said, rubbing Sadie’s head. The big dog hadn’t left her side since Sam met her in the hallway.

  “Will you be all right here tonight?” Nadya asked.

  “Of course,” Faith answered.

  “I’ll keep an eye on her,” Sam said at the same time.

  Nadya gave Sam a long, hard look before getting up from the table. “It might sound sexist, but I feel better knowing there’s a man close by.”

  “You’re right, it does sound sexist. I have Sadie, and she’s shown she can keep me safe.”

  “I’ll send Grant by the house more often on his shift,” J.T. said.

  “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

  “All part of the job, ma’am. Now come on, Nad, let’s get you home. You look wiped out.”

  “That’s just what every woman wants to hear. Faith, I’ll give you a call in the morning.”

  “Okay. Thanks for driving tonight. I’m sorry you had to cut your evening short because of this.”

  “I’m not. I was tired before we finished dinner. There was no way I was going to survive karaoke, too.”

  Faith moved to get up and walk Nadya to the door, but Sam gently pressed her back into the chair. “I’ll walk them out.”

  She watched him walk out of the kitchen and a glow of pleasure warmed her all the way to her toes. When was the last time someone had taken care of her? Probably not since her mom helped her out after Piper was born. That was a long time to go without a little TLC.

  “The way I see it, you have two options,” Sam said as he came back into the kitchen. “I can sleep on the couch in the family room, or you can come to the cottage.”

  “That’s not necessary”

  “It is. I don’t want you being alone tonight. Here or there, either way, I’m staying close.”

  “I was going to say, you don’t have to sleep on the couch. This is a bed and breakfast. I have plenty of open guest rooms, thanks to you.”

  “Not good enough. The guest rooms are on the other side of the house. If I’m in a guest room, I won’t be able to hear you if you need me.”

  “Don’t be silly. You won’t fit on the couch. There’s a fold-out bed in the living room—oh.”

  “Yeah, I don’t think that’s an option right now.”

  “I should clean that up, see if anything is missing.”

  “Not tonight.” Sam seemed to make up his mind, because he said, “Tell me what you absolutely can’t live without, and I’ll get it for you. You’re coming to the cottage. If you stay here, you’ll never sleep. You know, a little clutter never killed anyone.”

  “You’ve never watched those reality shows about hoarders, have you?”

  “Babe.”

  “Just kidding. Fine, I won’t worry about it until the morning.”

  “I have a hard time believing that. I’m going to go pack you a bag. Sit. Here. Do not do the dishes. I’ll take care of them. Keep the ice on your ankle and make a list or someth
ing.”

  “A list of what?”

  “Things to do, people who’d want what you’ve got, security system installers, I don’t care, just sit still long enough for me to get your shit together.” He stalked up the stairs.

  For the first time, Faith realized he was mad. He’d hid it pretty well while everyone was there and while he was taking care of her, but she could tell by the stiffness in his movements and the way he’d clenched his jaw that he was fighting back anger.

  What did he have to be mad about? It wasn’t his house that had been broken into, his first night out in years cut short. And when had he started calling her babe? And why did she like it so much?

  She was still trying to figure out how things had shifted so dramatically between them when he came down the stairs with a bulging pillowcase.

  “Good, you actually listened. I couldn’t find a duffle bag, so I just took this from the bed.”

  “You know, I’ll be fine. It’s not like you’re that far away if I need you, and I have Sadie right here.”

  “When I said make a list, I didn’t mean of ways to be stupid.”

  “I am not stupid,” she snapped.

  “I know, which is why it’s so irritating when you act that way. You’re coming with me. End of discussion. If you want that purse, you better grab it, because we’re leaving. C’mon Sadie.” He scooped Faith out of the chair and threw her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

  “Sam,” she shrieked, clutching her pocketbook. “Put me down this instant.” Her hair had fallen over her face, and all she could see was the back of his shirt and his butt.

  “Not a chance. If I put you down, you’ll insist on doing the dishes before we leave. You know what your problem is?”

  “A six-foot musician who can’t take no for an answer?”

  “Very funny.”

  The night air brushed across her bare legs, and she felt dizzy as he made his way down the path to his cottage.

  “Your problem is you’re always in charge. You don’t know how to share responsibility, so you think no one else can do anything except you.”

  “There hasn’t exactly been a line of folks at my door looking to take some of the burden off my shoulders.”

  “There is now. So shut up and let me help.”

  Faith opened her mouth but couldn’t think of what to say in response. Sadie bounded back and forth, barking her happy bark like they were playing a new game.

  “Some help you are. You’re supposed to protect me.”

  “She’s showing a lot more sense than you are at the moment.” He grunted as he climbed the steps to the cottage and turned her right side up.

  The room spun as the blood that had rushed to her head went back down where it was supposed to be.

  “Give me a sec to clean off the couch. I left in a rush and my stuff is everywhere.”

  “That’s fine. I’m going to use the bathroom, if that’s okay with you?”

  “Don’t get smart. Can you make it up the stairs with your ankle?”

  “It’s fine, really.” She tested it and only winced a little. “It’s sore, but nothing major. Honest. I’ve sprained my ankle before, I can tell the difference.”

  “Watch your step.”

  Faith accepted the pillowcase from him and carefully made her way up the steep stairs. She’d been in the cottage hundreds of times, but tonight she felt like a guest in someone else’s house. The makeup she’d so carefully applied earlier that evening was smeared, giving her a lovely raccoon look. She snagged a washcloth from the shelf over the toilet and wet it. The hand soap wasn’t anything fancy, but it did the trick, and soon all traces of makeup were gone. Her freckles stood out on her pale face and her eyes looked huge.

  She’d gone from a woman ready for a night on the town to a waif. Fantastic, because that was so sexy.

  Not that being sexy mattered at this moment. That wasn’t why he’d insisted on bringing her to his cabin. He was trying to be a nice guy. And even if she had maybe thought about finding him when she came back from Canton, well, all thoughts of sex had disappeared when she’d gotten the call telling her there’d been a break-in.

  Right.

  “I’m putting your purse outside the door. If you need anything else really important, I can run back and get it,” he called through the door,

  “Thanks. I’m sure it’s fine.” Faith heard his footsteps going back down the stairs as she opened the pillowcase with her things. He’d packed a brush, deodorant, a toothbrush, her oversize sleep shirt, a pair of cut-off shorts and a tank top. Apparently, he didn’t feel bras or underwear were necessary.

  Did she?

  Her stomach flipped and then dropped to her toes. Did she want to have sex with Sam?

  Duh, yes! her libido practically screamed, trying to drown out her common sense. That’s why she’d worn the thong and fancy bra. They’d come from Walmart, not Victoria’s Secret, but they weren’t her usual boring white cotton.

  In her mind, when she’d allowed herself to think about it, she’d come back from girls’ night a little tipsy, see Sam, and let him seduce her. In her daydreams, she hadn’t had to make the decision outright, she could just let things happen. Standing in the bathroom with her makeup off and her dress wrinkled, stone-cold sober after talking to the police had not been part of her plan. She laughed ruefully at herself. Thirty-years old and she was afraid to make a move on a man.

  “Faith? Are you okay?” he asked.

  “I’m fine. I was just wondering if you had something against underwear as you didn’t pack any for me.”

  “Must have forgotten.” He didn’t sound at all contrite. In fact, Faith could hear the laughter in his voice. She had no doubt those eyes and his smile had managed to get many a woman out of her panties with very little effort on his part.

  That thought didn’t do anything to boost her flagging self-confidence. He’d slept with lingerie models for crying out loud, and here she was wearing an oversized UGA T-shirt and Walmart underwear.

  Well, she couldn’t sit in the bathroom all night, she had to see him at some point. And no one was holding a gun to her head saying she had to sleep with him. It was up to her to decide if relieving this churning need would make her feel better or like another notch on his bedpost.

  “If you’re going to spend all night in there, I can bring you a pillow,” he called up.

  “I’m trying to fashion a bra and underwear from toilet paper and washcloths,” she answered back.

  Taking a deep breath, she gathered her courage and her things and left the sanctuary of the bathroom.

  Butterflies flew frenzied patterns in her belly as she made her way down the steep stairs. The butterflies grew to the size of 747s when she saw him leaning against the counter, his long legs stretched out in front of him. His green eyes practically glowed with heat as his gaze traveled over her pajama-clad frame.

  The T-shirt came down to just above her knees. It covered her as much as the dress she’d worn earlier, but for some reason, she felt naked.

  “I made you some more tea.” He pulled a mug out of the microwave. “I’d offer you something stronger, but all I have is Gatorade.”

  “Tea is fine. I’ve had enough alcohol for one night.” She accepted the mug and moved to the couch in the living room. “This wasn’t exactly how I pictured the evening going, but I can’t say I mind missing out on the hangover Mary Ellen is sure to have tomorrow.”

  “I was looking forward to seeing you half in the bag.”

  “Really?”

  “Oh yeah. I had my own expectations about tonight.” He moved closer to her and brushed a hand lightly over her hair. “I figured I’d wait until I heard you drive up and be waiting to help you in your inebriated state. You’d be so thankful you’d throw yourself at me. I’d gallantly resist your advances because of your drunken condition, but you’d seduce me with your womanly wiles.”

  “Instead, you’re making me tea and protecting me from a thief who�
�s probably long gone.”

  “Like I said, my plans were derailed as well.”

  “I can tell you one thing, I don’t have womanly wiles, and I don’t know the first thing about seducing someone. The only man I ever slept with was my husband, and we started dating when I was a teenager.” Faith took a deep breath and made a decision. “I certainly am no Bridgette who oozes sexuality with every move she makes.”

  “She does that to cover the crazy.”

  “I know who you are. I saw your picture on a magazine at the Kwickie Mart. I wasn’t trying to invade your privacy, honest.”

  He pushed to his feet and ran a hand through his hair. “What did the rags have to say this time?”

  “I didn’t read the whole article. I just saw your picture and read the headline. It said something about you fighting for your life in rehab. There was a quote from Bridgette in there asking for prayers from your fans.”

  “What a hypocrite. She doesn’t give a crap about my fans, or me, for that matter. Shit, the old man is going to have a fit when the reporters start asking him questions about rehab. I better give him a call. That’ll be fun.”

  “I just thought you should know that I know before we, you, know.” God, could she be any more clumsy or awkward? “Just forget I said anything.” She stood and brought her barely touched mug of tea to the sink.

  Sam followed her, crowding her against the counter. His killer grin was back, along with the glint in his eye that just did her in. “I’m not sure I do know. What exactly were you thinking, Ms. Adams?”

  “Get real. You’ve probably had women throwing themselves at you since you hit puberty.”

  “Not quite, but no woman has ever made me work this hard in my life.”

  “Good. Hard work builds character.”

  “It also builds toxic sperm back up. I haven’t been this frustrated since, well, ever.”

  “Cold showers are good for your skin.” She’d taken enough in the last week.

  “You know what else is good for your skin? Orgasms.” He put his arms on either side of her, caging her between his body and the counter. Heat poured off him, igniting fires in her belly. His chest was inches from hers, and she’d never been more aware of how little she wore underneath her shirt.