Brooke watched as Kade took a seat on an old log on the other side of the campfire from her, stretching out his long legs and listening to Cassie. Within minutes, two young women took seats on either side of him. Both appeared to be in their early twenties, and quite attractive. Brooke cringed as he talked and laughed with them, wishing he’d chosen to sit by her.
Nesto and Paige sat together a few feet away, their hands entwined. Brooke wondered about the progress of their friendship, but hadn’t asked. Now she didn’t have to. She looked back toward Kade and noticed he and the young women had disappeared.
“Well, if there aren’t any other questions, you’re free to wander around, but don’t go too far from camp. The ride will start right after breakfast tomorrow.” Cassie closed her spiral notebook, stood, and started toward Brooke. “Are you okay? You don’t look so good.”
“I’m fine. A little tired and ready for bed. Do you mind if I head into the tent now?”
“Not at all. I won’t be far behind unless some of the students want to stay up and talk.” Cassie turned back to some of the others who still sat around the fire.
Brooke let her eyes sweep the campsite, looking for Kade and the two women. She knew there would be a logical reason they were off together. She decided not to let herself dwell on where they’d gone as she grabbed a bottle of water and headed toward her tent.
She’d been a fool during her engagement to Perry, never suspecting he’d been having an affair for months before walking in on him with another woman. Later she’d discovered it hadn’t been his first. He’d been known around the university for his numerous sexual conquests and she’d never had a clue. Every time she thought of how blind she’d been, she wanted to scream.
Brooke dropped down on her sleeping bag, pulled off her boots, and laid back, resting an arm across her eyes. She had no claim on Kade, yet the thought of him being attracted to other women hurt, and not just her heart. It had taken her a long time to regain her self-respect after Perry. She had no wish to lose it again.
“Cassie told me I’d find you in here. Is it all right if I come in?” Kade’s voice rousted her from the pity party she’d been having.
She sat up and pushed the hair from her face. “Sure. I’d offer you a seat, but as you can see, there aren’t any.”
He chuckled and sat cross-legged at the end of her bedroll. He’d followed the two women to their tent to help them get their lantern working. As he’d left their tent, he’d spotted Brooke scanning the area, certain she’d been searching for him.
“Two of the gals needed help with their lantern,” Kade said, more to gauge her reaction than for any other reason.
“And you’re telling me this why?”
Amusement crinkled the corners of his eyes. “No reason. Just thought you’d be interested.”
She glanced at him, and seeing the humorous look on his face, smiled. “Well, they went to the right man.”
He remained seated, not knowing what else to say and not wanting to leave.
“Cassie has you riding out front tomorrow. Like a scout.”
“We called it taking point in the military. Of course the job meant something entirely different in Special Ops.”
“Was it difficult, your job in the military?” She leaned on an elbow and stretched her legs out, touching his thigh with her feet. He picked one up and started to massage it. Slow, deep, movements sending a tingling feeling throughout her body.
“Not difficult because we knew what had to be done and were trained for it. We just didn’t know when we’d be sent out. Special Ops had a different way of operating from the standard Army. Our assignments were sanctioned yet few knew the details. We weren’t told much until right before each mission.” He continued to massage her foot, enjoying the way a slight moan would escape as he’d change pressure or location.
“Do you miss it?” Her voice had grown rough, husky.
“No. I had no problem doing my job while in the service, but the time had come to try something else. Too many politicians with no military experience making decisions that should have been made by people trained to make the difficult, life and death decisions that arise in the heat of battle, people with hands-on experience. Bureaucrats should never be in charge of military operations. They have different goals from the fighting forces—primarily the desire to be reelected.” He didn’t sound bitter, just resolved to the fact the military would never be able to do its job adequately with the current state of government interference.
“You mentioned the other night about possibly leaving the DEA. Were you serious?”
“Absolutely. I’ll finish my open cases, testify at the upcoming trial, then figure out my next move.” He set her foot down and picked up the other, using his thumbs to make slow, deep circles on the bottom.
“I’m sure Heath would welcome you here. He and Jace are always looking for good men.”
He continued holding her foot in one hand while the other moved under her jeans to massage her calf. She moaned at the feel of his hand on her skin.
“Staying here would complicate things, Brooke.”
“Explain to me why. I don’t understand the reason we can’t be together. We’re both single, and it’s obvious we both have feelings for each other. You don’t make any sense.” She pulled her leg free and sat up, resting her arms across her bent knees. “Help me understand.”
“I don’t know if I can. Our lives, backgrounds, couldn’t be more different.”
“Why does the past matter? Isn’t it who we are now and not our past that matters?”
“The past shapes us, Brooke. No matter how much you want to deny it, I just don’t fit in the life you grew up in—a regular home, two parents, brothers, plenty of food, and clothes. I had none of those.”
She reached forward and grabbed his hands in hers. “What did you have?”
He sighed, not wanting to delve into his past. He looked down at their joined hands. It felt so right, her touch so perfect, he didn’t want to let go and yet, he knew the odds were slim they could ever have more than this.
“We were poor…dirt poor. My mother worked two jobs to make enough for food, clothes, and rent, and still there were times we went to bed hungry. I didn’t have new clothes until I went into the Army, never a new shirt, pants or shoes. Nothing. I started working after school when I was ten at a small grocery store then worked at the ranch when I turned fifteen. Somehow we made it.”
“That’s what this is all about? You grew up poor?” Her hands stilled on his as her face began to redden. “How could you ever believe coming from a family with no money would matter to me?”
Kade stood, his jaw working as his eyes narrowed. “My mother wasn’t married. I never had a father, never even met the man.”
She glared at him, not giving an inch. “Fine. So you’re a bastard. I’m sure you’ve been called worse.”
His eyes locked on hers. He didn’t break the stare even as his lips twitched a moment before he burst into laughter. “God, Brooke. You are something.” He moved forward, wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.
She tightened her arms around him and buried her head on his chest, breathing in his unique scent and wanting to stay this way forever. She looked up as he lowered his head to brush his lips across hers before covering her mouth in a hungry kiss, sending spirals of pleasure through her.
He broke the kiss, letting his lips sear a path down the soft column of her neck to her shoulder. She let her head fall back with a moan as he continued the wonderful torture. He eased his way up, along the curve of her jaw, before nibbling at her earlobe.
“We just keep catching you two like this.” Paige’s voice had them pushing apart. She stood outside the tent, Nesto beside her.
Kade cleared his throat, took another look at Brooke and placed one more kiss on her lips before grabbing his hat. “Goodnight, ladies. I’ll see you in the morning.” He stepped outside and sent a warning look at his friend as he started across th
e campsite. “Don’t say a word.” Kade’s voice was more of a growl than request.
Nesto’s hand clasped his shoulder. “Come on, man. You might as well give in to it. Why fight your feelings?” They walked toward the tent they shared with Blake, stopping a few feet away.
“Because she’s too good for me and you know it.” The defeat in Kade’s voice cut through Nesto.
“Why don’t you let Brooke be the judge of that?”
******
“How’d it go?” Heath asked as Cam took a seat in the study next to Jace. He’d returned home the night before after presenting the purchase offer to Ty, Chris, and Rafe.
“Good, although they were non-committal. They need a chance to review everything in detail.”
“Did Rafe raise any questions about the corporation making the offer?”
“Not yet. It will come up at some point, I’m sure, so we need to be prepared.” He glanced from Heath to Jace. “The two of you need to figure how you’ll deal with it when he learns who’s behind the offer.”
Neither responded, knowing the entire purchase hinged on Rafe’s reaction.
“Any indication about when they’ll get back to you?” Jace asked.
“Chris and Ty are anxious. I suspect they’ll have a few requests but no deal breakers. Rafe is a wild card. He does not want to sell. He loves the business.” Cam pursed his lips, knowing he had to bring up the next subject even though it made him uncomfortable. “Ty told me Rafe and his wife are finalizing a divorce. It’s the first time anyone mentioned it. He spends most of his time at the business, even bunking down there several nights a week when he’s in town.”
“If his personal life’s falling apart, he’s more apt to focus on his business and won’t want to give it up.” Jace leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees.
“What about his sons” Heath asked.
“According to Chris and Ty, they are a real asset to the business. I don’t know how they’re dealing with the issues between Rafe and their mother. It never came up.” Cam stood and stretched, then walked over to the wall of family pictures, focusing on the one with the three brothers, standing shoulder to shoulder, holding the reins to their horses, and sporting wide grins. He turned back to Heath and Jace, knowing they were in a tough situation.
“Nothing we can do now except wait.” Heath stopped as his phone rang. “Hey, Trey. What’s going on?” He listened, not interrupting. “You know it’s no problem. When will you get here?” He looked at his calendar, knowing any day they arrived would be fine. “Keep Annie and me posted. We’ll see you next Friday.”
“Trey, huh?”
“He and Jesse are both being deployed. Trey for a short period, Jesse for longer. Ryan and Paul, also.” Heath glanced at Jace then Cam. “Odd they’d all be called up at once. Must be some type of major maneuver or something. Anyway, they aren’t sure yet how long Jesse will be gone. They’re bringing Trevor to stay with us.”
“A trip back to parenthood.” Jace grinned at Heath. He and Caroline still had one boy at home. Hopefully it would be several years before grandkids came along.
“Sounds like it. I’d better tell Annie.”
“You know, Lainey would love to help with him. Trevor could come to Colorado and stay with us for a while, and attend Lainey’s preschool. It’s an option to consider if you want.” Cam’s wife, Lainey, ran a prosperous preschool in Fire Mountain, and had opened another one in Cold Creek, Colorado, near the company the MacLarens bought several months before.
“Thanks, Cam. We might do that depending on how long he’ll be here. Let us know the moment you hear anything from Chris or Ty.”
“Will do,” Cam said as he followed Heath and Jace toward the kitchen to tell Annie the news.
Chapter Fourteen
Brooke collapsed on her bed roll, exhausted from Saturday’s long ride, yet feeling a wonderful sense of exhilaration. She stretched, feeling every muscle, including a few she forgot she had.
“What a great ride,” Paige said in an excited, but tired voice as she entered the tent and sat on her bed roll. “Don’t you think so?”
“I haven’t been over such beautiful, rocky terrain since my mother married Heath and I started riding again.” She sat up and stretched her arms above her head. “You seemed to spend a lot of time with Nesto. How are the two of you doing?”
Paige smiled. “We’re doing well. He asked if he can call me when I get back to San Diego. I said yes, of course.”
“He’s a very nice man.”
“Yes, he is. As is Kade.” Paige knew her friend struggled with her feelings toward him, even though it couldn’t have been more obvious how they felt about each other.
“I’d better help Cassie with supper.” Brooke stood and walked outside.
“I’ll come with you.”
Cassie had already pulled out the chicken enchilada casseroles and begun to warm them in the special camp ovens the family assembled years before. Blake helped tend the fires while Kade and Nesto took care of inspecting the tack and saddles for the ride tomorrow.
“How can we help?” Brooke asked, spotting Kade near the trailers with his unbuttoned shirt pulled from his jeans, flapping in the evening breeze. Her breath caught at the sight he made, a sprinkling of crisp hair over taut chest muscles. She wanted to run her hands over him, feel his warm skin beneath hers.
“You can grab the tortillas and set them near the stove.” Cassie’s voice broke through the fantasy Brooke had begun to weave. “The plates and utensils are in the plastic box next to the cooler, and the brownies are inside.”
Brooke and Paige did as Cassie asked, finishing as the others began to emerge from their tents and mill about the tables.
Tonight, Kade took a seat next to Brooke. They’d spoken little during the ride, not even when they’d stopped for lunch.
Tonight she noticed the warmth radiating from his body and shifted a little closer, allowing their thighs to touch. Out of the corner of her eye she saw him set down his fork and lower his hand below the table. He rested it on her thigh and squeezed, just enough to send a bolt of heat through her body. She could feel her face warm as she drew in a breath. He looked over and she noticed his eyes crinkle at the corners as his mouth tipped up. The man was a tease.
“If everyone is finished, I’d like to review our ride for tomorrow. It won’t be as long since we’ll need to be back here by midafternoon to pack and head out.” Cassie set down her notebook before explaining the destination, what they’d see, and safety precautions. After a few questions, everyone dispersed.
Kade squeezed Brooke’s thigh once more and leaned toward her. “Let’s take a walk after everything’s cleaned up.” He didn’t wait for a reply. He stood, grabbed both of their plates and walked toward the wash basin, while Brooke helped Cassie and Paige clear away extra food. They’d just finished when she saw Kade step next to her.
“You ready?”
Brooke glanced at the others, seeing Paige and Nesto both hiding smiles, and wondered if Kade had said something to let Nesto know they had become an item. Or had they? His actions seemed much different than his words, which confused her, prompting a cautious approach until she understood his true intentions. Did he want to be friends or had he decided he wanted more? She suspected he already knew what she wanted.
“Yes. Let’s go." She wiped her hands on a towel, then let him guide her to a path behind the horse trailers which led to a rocky outcropping.
Kade took the lead, holding out his hand to help her over the taller rocks. They didn’t speak on their way to the top, not even when they stopped for a moment to watch the sun slip behind the mountains. He took her hand and they covered the last few yards with ease, ending on a flat rock shelf facing east. Brooke walked to the edge, Kade behind her, and she felt his arms wrap around her waist and pull her against his chest.
“It’s beautiful.” Brooke let her head fall back and took a deep breath.
He nuzzled her neck with his lip
s, placing soft kisses behind her ear. “I know.”
They stayed rooted in place until the lack of light would hinder their descent if they didn’t start back.
“We’d better get going.” Kade’s reluctant tone mirrored Brooke’s feelings.
They hiked down the hillside toward camp, again keeping their thoughts to themselves until they’d walked past the campfire where most everyone else sat roasting marshmallows. Kade tugged her behind a tent and wrapped his arms around her.
“I don’t know what I’m doing around you. If you knew everything, you’d change your mind about me.” His somber gaze emphasized his deep belief in his words.
“Tell me what it is. How can either of us know how I’ll react unless I understand what stands between us.”
He looked down at her and brushed his lips against hers as he spoke. “All right, but not tonight. After Nesto leaves for San Diego we’ll talk and I’ll tell you everything. Then you can decide.”
*******
Nesto’s last week passed faster than he anticipated. He and Paige spent considerable time together, almost every free minute when he and Kade weren’t tending horses or helping the MacLarens with other work. She had another month before she’d be returning to San Diego. They both agreed it would give them each time to decide how much more they expected from a relationship. He wanted it all—she took a more cautious approach. Regardless, they’d committed to seeing each other once she got back to San Diego.
“You ready to head out?” Kade asked as they stood next to Nesto’s truck. His friend had spent a couple of hours with Paige the previous night saying goodbye.
“Yep. I’d like to miss the Friday afternoon traffic heading into San Diego. Besides,” he turned and glanced in the direction of Brooke’s cabin where Paige would still be sleeping. “I need to clear my head.”
“I hear ya, man,” Kade said and clasped his shoulder.
“You will be coming back when your leaves ends, right, bro?”
All Your Nights (MacLarens of Fire Mountain Contemporary series Book 4) Page 15
