by Jane Jamison
“I’m happy to help out the school and the kids any time I can. It’s what I do, you know. Or maybe you didn’t. I’m a graphic designer.”
“Yeah, I know. I know all about you and Josh.”
He thought he heard a small intake of air from the other end. She’d told him too much information, but he was glad she had. The least he could do was to reciprocate. “Josh and I have kept up with you, too, so I guess that makes us even.”
“Yeah, I guess so.” Her voice had gone breathy as though she’d lost control of her breathing.
Josh was about to fall off his horse trying to get Will’s attention. Will gave him a thumbs–up, and Josh relaxed back on his mount with one wrist resting on top of the other on the saddle horn as he held the reins. His lopsided grin was as cocky as ever.
Josh hadn’t doubted that they could get her to agree. From what they’d heard about her, she was a terrific teacher who gave every bit of her energy to her students. If the kids could benefit from having a sign to showcase their choir, then she’d make sure they got it. Even if it meant dealing with a McLean. Yet he got the impression that dealing with him might not be a problem for her.
“We’ll need to get together to talk about it, of course.” He gripped his phone a little tighter. If she was going to back out, it would happen sooner rather than later.
“Um, I guess we will. Sure. That’d be great.”
Silence once more. Josh was growing impatient again. He pulled his horse’s reins, sending the animal into a full circle. Once he was facing Will again, he lifted his hands as if to say, “What’s going on now?”
“I’d invite you to come over to my home, but, well…” Her voice died off, losing the hopeful tone.
“Yeah, I know what you’re saying. A McLean in the Baldwin home? Your dad would have a heart attack if we showed up on your front porch. Still, if you’re game, I am.” He glanced at Josh.
Correction. We are.
He was tired of the feud that had her family pitted against his. The whole thing seemed petty and childish, but getting that across to the rest of his family, especially his parents, was like pulling teeth on a piranha. It could be dangerous as hell.
“And I couldn’t come to your place, either. Not and keep my dad from showing up with a shotgun.”
He chuckled. She had a quick wit and a sense of humor, two traits he found irresistible. “True enough. We need to meet at a neutral place, away from wagging tongues.”
The sigh she let out flowed through the receiver. He had to wonder if he’d guessed wrong before. Did she dislike his family?
“That leaves out every place in town. No one does anything in Sanctuary without someone else poking their nose into it.” She paused then added, “But we really do need to get together.”
He was about to tell her she was right when Josh leaned over and snatched the phone out of his hand.
“Hi, Tatum. This is Josh. Listen, how about we meet up at the old cabin? Do you know the one I’m talking about? It’s on the land everyone’s fighting over.”
Will cringed and wished Josh hadn’t brought the land dispute into the conversation. But Josh wasn’t big on thinking first before opening his big yap.
“Sure. That’s a good idea.” Will heard the excitement in her voice. “Still, it’ll be pretty cold right now.”
“You’re right. It will be.” Josh made a what-now? face.
Will scowled at Josh and stuck out his hand, silently demanding that he hand the phone back. Josh shot him a wicked smile and kept going.
“The place is still in pretty good shape. We fixed it up a bit and even added an old comfy couch and chairs for the heck of it. As for the cold, the fireplace is still in working condition. So what do you say? Do you want to meet us there tomorrow? Say around five?”
Will hoped Josh wasn’t pushing her too hard. But Josh was good at getting people to do what he wanted. He both admired and disliked that about his cousin, depending on how Josh used that skill. Josh pushed the speaker button, letting Will in on the conversation as they waited for her to answer.
“Okay. Sure. Five it is.”
Will made a fist and mouthed an unspoken “yeah” as Josh’s smile broadened.
“We’ll see you then. Oh, and Tatum?”
“Yeah?”
“I’ve got to say, you sure do look good.”
“Oh. Uh, thanks.”
“The facts are the facts. See you soon, darlin’.”
“Okay. Good-bye.”
Josh was grinning even bigger as he ended the call and tossed Will’s phone back to him. “It’s a done deal, cuz.”
Will slipped his phone back into his pocket. He gazed down at the small cabin in the valley below the rise where they sat on their horses. “I just hope she’s not going to get angry when she finds out what we really want.”
Josh let out a scoff. “Are you kidding me? She’s going to be thrilled. But don’t worry. We’ll take it easy like she’s a young filly getting her first feel of a bit. Besides, I’ve never had any woman turn me down yet. But as for you? I’ll do what I can to convince her”—Josh shrugged—“but if she finds you repulsive, then you’ll just have to bow out.”
“Your ego, dear cousin, knows no bounds.” But Will knew Josh well enough to realize that a lot of his swagger was just for show. He was confident, yes, but he wasn’t egotistical. “Still, it’s been a while since we saw her. Remember, she’s still a Baldwin.”
“I don’t care. She’s worth the risk.” Josh tipped his hat back on his head and squinted into the sun. “She’s hotter than a volcano blowing its stack.”
Josh wasn’t exaggerating. Tatum’s body had transformed, morphing teenage baby fat into luscious womanly curves. Her long golden hair made a man want to entwine his fingers into the silky locks. Her big eyes weren’t simply green, but emerald pools of desire that he wanted to dive into and never come back to the surface. A sweet, angelic face surrounded those eyes and drew attention to her full, pouty lips. Her breasts were firm and lifted, and his palms itched to cover them.
“Cuz, stop thinking about her.”
Will jolted out of his reverie and frowned at Josh. “What? How’d you know?”
Josh’s gaze dropped to his crotch. “I don’t mind seeing you with a hard-on as long as there’s a woman between us. But out here while we’re alone? I mean, I love you and all, but that’s so not cool, man.”
Will shifted in his saddle and averted his gaze. It was embarrassing enough to get caught fantasizing about Tatum, but to get a hard-on? Josh was right. It wasn’t cool. Understandable, yes. But not cool.
He forced his mind off the tantalizing image of Tatum and back on the practicalities they needed to attend to. “I guess we’d better get some firewood in the place before tomorrow.”
Josh pulled his mount around then tugged his cowboy hat low as he twisted around to face Will. “Yeah, I guess you’d better get working on that.” With a kick to get his mount going, Josh took the horse from standing still into a full gallop, leaving Will to watch him leave.
“Figures. Typical Josh. Leave me with all the work to do.”
Josh often stuck him with doing manual labor, but he was used to it. His cousin had a way about him that made everyone forgive him. Yet would Tatum forgive them once she found out that the design was just a ruse to get closer to her?
* * * *
“Hey, sweet pea, where you off to?”
Tatum’s hand had just touched the doorknob when her father called out to her. She’d rushed home after show choir practice at school, taken a quick, refreshing shower, and had changed as fast as she could. Thankfully, she’d already stored the basket of sex toys in the trunk of her car the night before, along with a bag of extra clothing.
Damn. I should’ve gone down the back stairs.
She closed her eyes, gathered her wits, then plastered on a smile. Making sure her trench coat was buttoned and nothing was showing from underneath it, she turned and faced him. “Yeah, D
ad?”
Pride swelled in her as it always did whenever she saw him. At age sixty-four, Joseph Baldwin was still a robust man, standing over six feet tall. His dark hair was edged with the silver gray that women loved and his eyes held a hint of laughter in them. Although he was known for his good nature, aside from any time someone brought up the McLean family, he’d started acting as though he were angry or bothered the past few months. Several times she’d wanted to ask him if he was all right, but she knew he’d never tell her, especially if something was wrong. He was a private man that way and he preferred to confide in only her mother, Belinda.
Tatum’s smile grew wider as she thought about her parents. In a lot of ways, they were very different. Her mother was a mere five feet, four inches and sported a head of dark brunette hair that was never allowed to show any gray. They’d often joked about how Tatum had ended up with blonde hair, following in her mother’s footsteps of coloring her hair. Nonetheless, everyone could see Belinda Baldwin’s image reflected in Tatum’s face.
Her mother was more plump than muscled like her father was, and she was more outgoing, loving to throw parties for her friends. Her dad preferred a quiet night at home, but he never refused his wife a chance to throw a get-together. They were a team, one that could never be broken apart. Their love glowed on their faces every time they came together. They’d touch, a finger here, a hand there, and no one could mistake the love that passed between them with those simple gestures. Tatum hoped she’d find a man—maybe even two men?—who’d be the same kind of partner in her life.
Her father came closer and skimmed a hand along her arm. She held her breath, hoping he wouldn’t notice the lack of bulk under her coat. Maybe she should’ve worn clothes, but then that would’ve spoiled the surprise she had planned for the McLean men.
“I know you’re a grown woman and all…” Laugh lines crinkled around his eyes.
“But?” She drew the word out, knowing he was working up to saying what he really wanted her to know.
He chuckled, the warmth in his tone matching the warmth in his eyes. “But you’ll always be my little girl.”
“And I’ll always be damn proud of it.” She grinned, using the phrase she always did whenever he called her his little girl.
“Shh. Don’t let your mother hear you use the D-word.” He’d played his part again. It didn’t matter that her mother wasn’t around.
“Dad, I’m only going out for a little while.” Other women her age might find it strange that she still lived at home, but she didn’t care. She adored her parents and loved living with them. Most of the time they gave her all the space she wanted, but every once in a while, her dad would pull out the father card. She never minded. It was the least she could do for him.
Besides, I’m here if they need me.
She pushed the thought away. Her parents were strong and vital. They wouldn’t need her help for years to come.
“Hey, I was just curious, is all. Where are you off to anyway? Are you meeting Aubrey? She’s a good girl, that one.”
Aubrey would have rolled over laughing to hear her father describe her that way. But Aubrey also had a soft spot for Tatum’s father, so she’d understand. Even though she wasn’t about to tell him that she was meeting the McLean men, she didn’t like the idea of lying to him, either. She repeated her earlier statement and hoped he’d take the hint. “I’m just going out for a bit.”
He frowned and opened his mouth to discuss it further, but she got the jump on him. “Dad, is there anything wrong?”
He blinked, thrown by the sudden change of topic. “Like what, sweet pea?”
“I don’t know. That’s why I’m asking.” She tapped him on the end of his nose like her mother often did. She had no idea who had started doing the gesture first, but it didn’t matter. It was just one of many gestures they had in common. “You seem off lately.”
She narrowed her eyes, trying to see past the invisible wall that he’d brought up as soon as she’d asked the question. “You’d tell me if there was something wrong, wouldn’t you, Dad?”
His smile was back as well as the gleam in his eyes. “’Course I would. But don’t you worry. Everything’s right as rain.”
She studied him a moment longer, sensing that he was trying to dodge her question. But if she pressed him anymore he might decide to question her again about her plans. “Okay. But I’ve got to get going. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
“Sure, sure. Go have fun before you get old like me. You’re only young once, you know.”
When had he ever called himself old? The fact that he had bothered her. Yet she didn’t dare stick around and dig harder. She had two sexy men waiting for her.
Not just Will, but Josh, too. Although I can’t think what he has to do with doing a banner for the choir. Still, I’m not complaining.
“Thanks, Dad. I won’t be too late.” She paused, realizing what she’d said. “But don’t wait up for me, either, okay?”
She was out the door and hurrying to her car before he could get another word out. Yet when she opened the door and slid behind the wheel, she caught him standing at the door watching her. For a minute, she reconsidered what she had planned, a wash of guilt sweeping over her, but then he waved and the moment passed.
If she lived on her own, she wouldn’t have to explain herself. So why feel guilty about hiding things from her father? She turned the ignition key and punched in her favorite radio station. A few minutes later, she was driving toward the cabin.
* * * *
Josh straightened up as he heard his cousin enter the cabin. He turned away from setting the candlesticks on the beat-up wooden table that he’d dragged in front of the couch.
Will didn’t need to say anything. Josh could read what he was thinking on his face. “Go ahead, cuz. Get it all out before she gets here.”
But Will must’ve caught on to Josh’s expectation of snarky comments. Instead, he carried the stack of wood over to the already blazing fireplace then dropped it into the metal firewood rack. He took off his leather jacket and laid it on top of Josh’s. When he faced Josh again, there was no hint of anything but admiration on his face.
“You did all this while I was out getting more wood?”
Josh shrugged. “Yeah, well, I figured a little ambience couldn’t hurt.”
“A little?” Will scanned the room, pointing out what Josh had done. “Candles on the coffee table. A bottle of champagne chilling on the kitchen table.” He lifted his eyebrows. “And if I’m not mistaken, those are chocolate-dipped strawberries under that napkin. Am I right?”
“Yeah. So? I figured we needed to give the girl a bite to eat.”
“But don’t you think this is going too fast? Especially since she thinks she’s meeting us, hell, meeting me to discuss a design for the show choir’s sign?
“And especially since she’s a Baldwin and just as likely to want to hit us?”
Josh shrugged again. “Yeah, maybe I went overboard, but I also think it’s time we do what we’ve wanted to do for a while now.”
Josh was the jokester of the family, but Will never missed a chance to tease him. Josh got ready.
“And what would that be, Josh? Talk her into having the show choir perform at the annual McLean family picnic this summer? Or perhaps ask her for tips on improving our nonexistent singing voices?”
“Ha-ha, cuz.” Josh took matches out of his pocket and lit the candles, avoiding his cousin’s eyes. “If that’s the kind of stuff you want to do with her, then I’m going to have to ask you to leave.” A wicked idea came to him as he widened his grin. “As for me? I’m planning on tapping her ass.”
“Tapping her ass?” Will walked over to one of two windows and took a look outside as though looking for her car. Although the cabin hadn’t had glass windows when it was built, someone had added them around the turn of the century. Since that time, however, the cabin had been used only sporadically. “That’s bullshit and you know it.”
/> Josh knew Will needed to hear that they were on the same page. Will had forever been the one who liked to plan and wanted to know that everything was in its place and everyone knew what they were supposed to do.
“You know we want more than that, Josh. We’ve skirted around it for years, but since we got back into town, it’s been a major unspoken topic. Like we’re afraid to discuss it. But we’d better get it worked out before she arrives.”
“Then get to it, man.” Josh rested on the end of the couch. It was comfortable, but not very stylish. He wished they could’ve met in a larger city at a nice hotel with a spectacular view from high above in a luxury suite. Something where they could’ve really wowed her. But when in Sanctuary, they had to do the best with what they had under their special circumstances. And for now, that meant having to use the old cabin to keep their meeting a secret.
“You know it as well as I do. We’ve felt that she had that extra something we’ve wanted for years now. You know we’re both thinking she’s the right one for us.”
The cockiness left Josh and he grew more serious. “I agree. But we can’t assume that she wants the same thing from us. And even if she does, there’s still the problem of her family.”
“And our family. It’s not like it’s a one-sided feud, you know.”
Josh hated the stupid rivalry between their two families and knew Will felt the same way. They’d both gone along with it in their younger years simply because they’d always been told that the Baldwins were their enemies. But now that they were older and had studied and traveled outside the small town of Sanctuary, they realized how much the feud had hurt both families. They no longer cared what had started the whole damn thing. They just wanted it over with.
“Of course I know. It’s been drilled into us since we were old enough to talk.” Josh moved to toss another log on the fire. “Maybe I’m going at warp speed here, but something about her tells me that I’m not. I think she’s going to walk through that door and get swept off her feet. Shit, will you listen to me? Swept off her feet? Hell, how sappy can I get? I sound like one of those romance books.”
