After Nick secured the man’s hands, her cowboy hauled Lance up by his wrists, causing a string of profanities to flow from his mouth. “Keep watch over Darcy’s stepbrother.”
Sam took a hold of Lance’s arm. “With pleasure.”
Not able to stay away any longer, Darcy wrapped her arms around Nick’s waist.
“I called the sheriff’s department,” Trent said re-joining the crowd. “They’re sending a car over.”
“I’m taking Darcy to my cabin so she can rest. When the authorities get here, send the officers over there.” He picked her up in his arms and crushed her to his rock-hard chest.
All these months she waited to remember her past, but none of it mattered right now. The only thing she cared about was her future. Her throat tightened and ached with suppressed emotions.
Nick entered his cabin and crossed to a room in the back of his home. Laying her down on a big bed, he stretched out beside her and propped his head in his hand. God, she was beautiful. He traced a knuckle down the side of her angelic face. He loved the way her smile began in her eyes. Happiness clogged his throat. Unable to stop himself, he kissed the tip of her nose.
Thank God, she wasn’t married. He wasn’t sure how he would have overcome the hurt of her leaving. Elation overflowed. The warmth of her breath caressed his face as his lips met her soft ones.
“Every time I kiss you, you take me to heaven,” he whispered before slipping inside. He kissed her until his insides grew tight with want.
She groaned as he pulled away.
A calloused finger landed on her lips, rubbing over the rim. “I love you, Darcy Brooks. I think I have since the day you starting working here—part of the reason I stayed away in the beginning.”
“That only prolonged the inevitable. Think of how much more time we would have had.” She ran a hand down his chest.
He tenderly nipped at her flesh, regretting the need to finish the conversation before they could embark on the ride of their life.
“I know you have a life wherever you lived before now, but I can’t go on without you.” He took a shaky breath. “My life doesn’t make any sense without you now.”
She frowned and squinted, seeming to pull the info out of the newfound memories. “I gave up that life two weeks before the accident. I quit my job and moved here to hide from someone stalking me.”
“Lance?”
“I’m pretty sure.” She sat up, cross-legged on the bed. “I think he resented the attention his dad gave me, especially after my mom died. There were a couple instances where...he approached me thinking I wanted to fool around with him.” She picked up their laced fingers and played with his digits. “One time he forced himself on me, but his dad walked in before he got too far. Then about a year ago, I received heavy-breathing phone calls, threatening letters. I thought the stalker could be a client of the law firm I worked for or a family member of one of the clients, but then Lance started showing up at the functions and restaurants I went to.”
Nick pulled her closer to his body needing to feel her, to protect her, to keep himself from marching back to the barn to tear Lance limb from limb. “What about the cops?”
“They couldn’t do anything; I had no proof.”
“We have proof now. Everyone out there heard him say he watched us.” Nick forced himself to remain calm while he encased her face with his hands, directing all his focus on her. “But I want to hear more about you. What did you do back home?”
“I worked as a paralegal in a law firm in New York.”
“Big city girl, huh? That’s how you knew about the review counsel.” He rubbed a strand of her hair between his fingers. “How’d you end up in Amarillo?” Would she be happy living a country life?
“I was tired of looking over my shoulder and one night just left everything behind and drove, and drove.” She shrugged. “There was something about this place that drew me in.” Flipping over on her side, her hand rested on his chest. “I love it here. I...I love you. I want to be with you.”
Gazing into her eyes, he got lost in a sea of emotions. “Stay here on the ranch, move in with me, be my wife.” He held her between his hands afraid if he let go, she’d vanish from him. “Maybe you could even get a job at Mr. White’s office. I mean, if you want to stay in that line of business. Or you can work here with me.”
She jumped on her knees and landed on top of him. “Yes, yes, yes.” She rained kisses all over his face stopping only when a knock sounded on the door.
“I should get that.”
Reluctantly, he got up and went to open the door.
“Nick, this is Officer Callahan. He has questions for y’all,” Sam informed him.
“I’ll go get Darcy.” Not going far from her side, he escorted his love to the living room and stayed glued to her while she recited everything she told Nick to the officer.
Officer Callahan jotted down notes and asked endless questions. “My partner has Mr. Brooks in the car. We’ll take him into town and press charges after I get statements from the guests.”
“Thank you, officer.” Darcy stood and followed him to the door.
As the cop left, Nick placed an arm around her waist.
Grateful for the support, she leaned into him, and he turned with her in his arms toward Sam.
“How are the guests? Anyone demanding a refund?”
“No. I told them as soon as the police were done, Trent and Chris would get them on their way.” He smiled and rocked on his heels. “More good news—while I was waiting for the police, Mr. White called. It seems when he informed Mrs. Miller about contacting the previous ranch she sued, she dropped all the charges.”
“Really?” Darcy said with delight.
“What did you say?” Disbelief registered on Nick’s face.
“The ranch is free and clear.”
How could this day get any better? With Lance behind bars, her memory being back, the ranch was cleared, and she was marrying the love of her life. Placing a palm on each of his cheeks, she pulled him to her and captured his lips.
A throat cleared. “I’ll ah...let myself out.”
Groaning, Nick’s mouth left hers and a hand urged her head under his chin.
“Sam, wait. I want you to be the first to know...we’re getting married.”
“What?” A gleeful shriek sounded from the door.
“Hi, Mom.” Nick hugged the woman with one arm, preventing Darcy from moving with the other.
“Mom? Dad? What are you doing here?” the second eldest asked as he kissed his mother’s cheek.
“Samuel, Nicholas.” Tammy Matthews kissed her sons, giving Darcy a wink and a smile. “Hello, Darcy.” She stepped forward and embraced her. “Did I hear correctly? You two are getting married.”
“Y-yes.” Heat rose to her cheeks, as her fiancé stared down at her with a goofy grin on his.
“See, I was right.” Tammy looked over her shoulder to her husband and pushed dark blond hair out of her face.
“It’s not nice to gloat,” Nick Sr. informed her with a smile.
“What are you talking about?” Nick frowned at his mother.
“You two. I suspected there was something between you two from the beginning. A few phone calls to your brothers confirmed it.” With a permanent smile, she whispered, “Now, if I can just get the rest of my boys to settle down.”
“Tam,” his father warned in a low voice. “Leave the kids alone.” He grasped her hand. “Let’s go up to the main house and someone can tell me what the heck is going on out there. We drove up as police were driving away, and the guests are standing around laughing.”
“I’ll fill you in up at the house,” Sam offered.
“We’ll see you two later?” Nick Sr. spun his wife around before she could object and guided her outside.
“How long do you think we have before your ma shows up at the door again?” Darcy tucked her head on his shoulder, loving the solid strength of him as he lifted her into his arms.
/> “I’m counting on my brothers to keep her busy for a long time, because I plan on keeping you occupied all night.” He kicked the door shut and locked the bolt.
The sound echoed, causing excitement to race through her. “You know, yesterday I didn’t know who I was or where I was going.”
“And now?” He followed her down on the bed and ran a large hand over her body awakening her senses.
“I don’t feel lost anymore. I know exactly what I want.” She hooked her arms around his neck, pulling his face down to her. “And I want you, Nick Matthews.”
Back Where
You Belong
by
Vonnie Davis
Honky Tonk Hearts
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.
Back Where You Belong
COPYRIGHT © 2013 by Vonnie Davis
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Contact Information: [email protected]
Cover Art by Tamra Westberry
The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
PO Box 708
Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708
Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com
Publishing History
First Yellow Rose Edition, 2013
Digital ISBN 978-1-61217-815-8
Honky Tonk Hearts Series
Published in the United States of America
Dedication
Many thanks to romance author Rolynn Anderson,
who once wrote a blog entitled
“Love Darts and Escargot.”
No sooner had I read her blog than a visual
of a dart-throwing incident flashed across my mind
and I started laughing.
A writer’s muse often changes appearance
from project to project.
For this novella,
she was blonde and possessed a heart-stopping smile.
Rolynn, as a muse, you’re the best.
Chapter One
What the hell?
Tyler Desmond whirled away from the shot he was about to make at the pool table to grasp for whatever caused the sudden, stinging pain at the back of his neck. When his fingers closed around a dart, he yanked the offending object out, searching through the crowd in the Lonesome Steer Honky Tonk for the bastard who dared throw one at him.
His cousin Billy Wayne leaned in close as if to examine the dart’s point of entry. “Damn, that’s gotta hurt.”
Tyler’s eyes narrowed on the culprit. The object of his wrath stood about eight feet away, her face glowing red like embers in a branding fire and eyes mushrooming when his gaze zeroed in on hers.
He handed his cue stick to Billy Wayne and growled, “Not as much as one female’s about to. You can be damn sure of that.”
Three women, her friends no doubt, scurried back to their table, leaving her to face him alone. He slowly sauntered toward her, gathering his words as he approached. He’d cut many men to size with his acidic tongue. This woman would be no different.
Nervous hands clasped and unclasped and then fiddled with curly blonde hair. Then, as if to prepare herself for their inevitable confrontation, she squared her shoulders.
Good move, lady. You’re going to need a dose of courage for I plan on giving you a verbal thrashing you’ll never forget.
He extended his hand, the offending dart lying in his palm. “I believe you lost this…in my neck.”
“Crap, yes, I did.” She plucked it from his hand. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hit you.”
He placed his hands on his hips and glared into her blue eyes. “Really? Then who the hell were you aiming for?”
The woman had the audacity to giggle. “I…I wasn’t aiming for anyone. You see, Carrie Jo”—she jerked her thumb toward the table of women behind her—“bumped against my elbow just as I was shooting. She was horsing around, calling me ‘Dart Demon.’”
His gaze ricocheted toward the gaggle of women, all nodding and smiling. Two did a finger wave. He scowled as a dull ache settled behind his eyeballs.
When Dart Demon leaned toward him, he got a whiff of her perfume and fought to ignore its beguiling, flowery scent.
“Just between us,” she began, her voice lowered to a conspiratorial whisper, “she’s had too much to drink. Good thing I’m the designated driver tonight.” Her hand rose in a swearing gesture. “Honest. Nothing stronger than diet soda. See, Carrie Jo and her boyfriend are fighting again. They’re just not suited for each other.” Her blonde head shook once. “Ever notice how opposites attract? It’s the strangest thing, isn’t it?”
She pursed her lips, giving him no time to reply before she charged ahead like his prize Brahman bull. Evidently the woman didn’t need to breathe to talk.
“He likes rap music and she likes country. He likes to play video games while she runs marathons and works out. He’s a slob and she’s a neat freak. Yet, they can’t keep their hands off each other. The chemistry’s there, but not the compatibility. Know what I mean?”
Tyler inhaled and opened his mouth, ready to start his tirade. But before one angry word could roll off his tongue, she commenced her nonsensical rambling again.
“That’s not why we’re here though. We’re here to celebrate. I sold an article to a magazine. My first!”
A smile, brighter than a hill country sunrise, spread across her pretty face and niggled at one of his faint, long-forgotten memories.
“Isn’t that just too wild?” She pressed a hand to full breasts that strained a T-shirt imprinted with: I’m the strong, silent type.
Silent? Are you freakin’ kidding me?
“People keep telling me I have writing talent, but I’m not so sure. I guess you could say I have a lot of self-doubt.” Her blue-eyed gaze locked on his as she pursed those pink lips again. “I’m just not good with words, you know?”
Right, and I’m not good with raising cattle. The dull ache in his head ratcheted up a notch.
“I’m prattling, aren’t I? I am.”
Those blonde curls bobbed again, and he wondered if they were as soft as they looked.
“I prattle when I get nervous. Normally I’m quiet.” Nervous hands rose and fell. “Most days you can’t get a word out of me.”
Just my damn lucky day then, isn’t it?
She waved her hand as if to dismiss her concerns. “Silly me, you don’t want to hear my life’s story. You’re here to chew me out for hitting you in the neck with the dart, aren’t you? And you have every right to. Is darts a sport? Or a pastime? I’m not athletic, you know. Never was, except for riding horses.” Her lips pursed while her forehead wrinkled. “No matter, I suppose. Does it hurt? Let me see.” She leaned up on her cowgirl boots. “Show me where it hit.”
Woman, for the love of heaven, shut up. He merely pointed. By now his head throbbed more than the wound.
Warm breath feathered across his neck. Fingertips ran over his skin, and he felt current zap clear to his calloused feet.
“Honestly, you can barely see it. Might want to rub a little antibiotic cream on it before you go to bed tonight, though. That’s what I do when I get a paper cut, or slice my finger cutting veggies. Should be okay in a day or two. A little iodine wouldn’t hurt, but then not everyone likes iodine.”
God, the woman’s like a verbal buzz saw. Pain pounded the backside of his eyeballs, and he pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and index finger.
“Let me buy you a beer. The least I can do is compensate you in some way. Like I said, it was an accident.” She pursed her full, pink lips again—a bad sign. “Funny thing about accidents…”
To shut her up and bring some relief to his headache, Tyler did the one thing he knew would stop her incessant chatter.
He kissed her.
Chapter Two
Tyler had lost all rational thought. Gone freaking insane. Why else would he have his fingers splayed in a mass of golden curls and his lips fused to this stranger’s? Had to be the headache.
She tried to talk against his lips, and he pressed harder against hers. Hell, even in a kiss the woman couldn’t keep quiet.
Fingers curled into his shirt, as if hanging on for dear life.
Good, he had her full attention. Lord knew she had his with the heat from her body arcing the small span between them like a powerful electrical current, singeing parts of him that hadn’t felt warm in years.
When he softened his lips on hers, she responded with a sensual, feminine moan that nearly dropped him to his knees. His physical response to her was totally unexpected.
Once he’d kissed her silent, he pulled back.
Blue eyes slid open. “Normally, I know a man’s name before I kiss him.”
God, I should have known she’d keep talking.
“Guess we should have introduced ourselves. I mean, kissing a complete stranger is kind of decadent isn’t it? I’ve never—”
“For ten blessed seconds would you just shut up?” A mental challenge took hold like when he settled his frame on a bull and the buzzer went off for the eight-second ride. He wanted to churn her insides the way she’d churned his. He wanted to jumble her thoughts, too. Lord knew he couldn’t think a rational thought right now.
His fingers rubbed against her scalp and those soft curls she had. Her flowery perfume filled his nostrils, and he inclined his head again, his gaze locked on hers. A memory niggled. Had he seen those cornflower eyes somewhere before? Surely not. If only her mouth put as much effort into a kiss as it did with her incessant chatter. His lips near hers again, he commanded, “Kiss me back this time, dammit.” The unexpected, pained quality of his voice fueled his frustration.
Honky Tonk Hearts Volume 2 Page 24
