Six Pack Ranch: Books 1-3

by Vivian Arend

  “Skin.” It was the only possible choice.

  Whisper light, seductively slow. Inch by inch his hand crept up her waist, strumming the curve of her ribs gently like piano keys, lifting the bottom edge of her bra and forcing it out of his way. He cupped her, his palm calloused and rough but so tender and careful she shivered. He distracted her with strokes of his tongue against hers as his fingers plucked her nipple to a hard peak.

  “God, you’re driving me mad.” He rolled the sensitive tip between thumb and forefinger and a piercing flash shot straight between her legs.

  “More.” Beth ached. It wasn’t enough to have confirmation she could be touched. She wanted to come, and she wanted Daniel to be the one who brought her over the peak. It had been too long, and something in this man made her think he’d understand if she told him what she truly needed. Why.

  “Get a room!”

  Laughter burst behind them. Daniel twisted, covering her with his body, protecting her from the giggling girls exiting the bathroom and traipsing back onto the dance floor.

  A cold flush descended. What was she thinking? Groping in a hallway with a stranger. All the passion she’d felt, the sense of being truly alive, drained away like air from a balloon. She struggled upright and fumbled to put herself back in order—her bra, her blouse. He helped, his hands remaining careful and slow, redoing the buttons that had slipped open, tucking her hair behind her ear.

  “Beth. Don’t. Don’t start thinking this was a mistake.”

  She glanced up in astonishment. “How did you…?”

  He brushed a hand over her cheek and she stilled again, her skin burning hot. “Your only mistake was thinking a short encounter in a back hall would be enough. I’m not that type.” He shook his head, his eyes fixed on hers. “I don’t think you’re that type either. Not really.”

  She hesitated, then nodded with reluctance. He deserved that much honesty. It was all she was willing to give.

  “Let me get to know you better. We’ve got the chemistry. I’d like to find out who you are when you’re not trying to be someone else.”

  Every word drove another nail into her guilty conscious. “Sure. Let’s go back to the table. Darleen must be wondering where I am.”

  He kissed her once more and she took it eagerly. Trying to store up the memory of his taste, the way he tugged his fingers through her hair just right. None of the fear she’d expected was there. When he drew back, she had to fight to keep tears from falling. He had no idea, but he’d helped remind her she was free. Samuel had tied her in knots, and Daniel had cut some of the remaining cords that held her bound.

  They headed to the table, but their previous space was filled with strangers. Beth spotted Darleen waiting beside the bar door, wearing a frown so deep it was almost comical.

  “Shoot. Looks like there was trouble in paradise.”

  Daniel pointed to the far side of the room where Jesse and Joel tossed back beers at the long bar counter. “Double shoot. Jackasses. I’ll whoop their butts if they—”

  She shook her head. “Knowing Dar, it’s just as easily her fault. It’s only a night out on the town.”

  He turned her in his arms. “It’s more than a night on the town for me. I like you, Beth. There’s something about you…”

  His gaze traced her hair and she flushed. She hadn’t intended the evening to finish this way.

  Daniel pulled out his wallet and handed her a card. “It’s for the family business, but my contact numbers are on there. You can email me, or phone.” He handed her an extra card. “Write your number on the back for me.”

  He pulled her close, and she used his chest as a solid base to scribble her name. Beth Jackson. Jotted down a number. He took the card and tucked it away, his dark gaze burning a hole in her conscience. “I’ll call you a cab.”

  She held up a hand, refusing his offer. “We have a car. We’re fine.”

  Dar flounced out the door and Beth rolled her eyes. With the rest of her dilemmas, she had no energy to deal with her temperamental little sister. She took one last look at her cowboy, wishing things could be different.

  “Thanks, Daniel. It was great meeting you.”

  He brushed her cheek with a kiss. “I’ll call you in the morning. I’d love to take you for coffee.”

  She smiled and stepped away, the relentless noise and the situation making her head and heart hurt. “That would be great,” she lied.

  The cool night air brushed her face, refreshing after the heat of the bar, and she sucked in a calming breath. Dar brought the car around, and Beth manoeuvred herself into the passenger seat, the leg brace frustrating and cumbersome.

  “Where the hell were you?” Darleen griped. “I’ve been wanting to leave forever.”

  Beth dropped her head against the rest and groaned. She was sexually frustrated, her leg ached, and she really didn’t want to listen to whining right now. “I thought you were busy. With two guys.”

  Darleen had the grace to look embarrassed. “Yeah, well, they were nice enough. Then one of the Stampeders asked me to dance. I mean, one of the linebackers from the professional football team? I had to say yes, and when I got back, the guys had left.”

  Stupid child.

  “You went and danced with someone else and expected them to wait for you?” Darleen didn’t say anything. Beth rolled down her window and let the sounds of the city streets soothe her soul. “Can’t have it all, girl.”

  Darleen flicked a hand in her direction. “Whatever. It was still fun, I guess. How about you? Their older brother was hot. Did you hit it off with him?”

  A lingering pulse beat between her legs. Did they hit it off? Oh sweet Jesus. “Yes.”

  “You going to see him again?”

  Beth stared at the card he’d given her. She’d been clutching it like a lifeline. The dark expression in Daniel’s eyes scared her yet gave her hope, and for one moment she hesitated.

  No. It was time for a total break. She tore the card into tiny little pieces so she wasn’t tempted to try and recover the numbers. “Nope. I’m leaving town with the boys in two weeks. Making a new start, and I don’t need any baggage in the shape of male stalkers, thanks very much. Been there, burnt the T-shirt.”

  “Guys aren’t all like Samuel, you know. There are good ones out there.”

  Was Daniel one of the good ones? Beth dropped the scraps into the trash bag and adjusted her leg. “Enough. I want to go home. Mom’s bringing the boys back in the morning, so it’s not as if we can sleep in.”

  She stared out the window and wished more than anything Daniel were the one taking her home and tucking her into bed.

  2

  Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, August

  “What do you mean I can’t get keys to the apartment? I’ve got one week to settle in before school starts. I need the key.”

  The owner of her rental complex leaned back on his beat-up truck and shrugged in slow motion. Beth wanted to scream. She wanted to kick something. Most of all she wanted to start unloading the boxes she’d brought with her from Calgary before she completely ran out of steam. Her boys had crawled into the front seat of the moving van, three sets of eyes gazing down as they waited in silence.

  “Sorry, ma’am, but see, that’s what I’m trying to tell you. There was a fire a couple of nights ago. Far end of the complex, but the fire marshal shut down the whole place until the wiring can be inspected.”

  She tapped her good foot. If he would talk a little faster, the conversation might be done by the end of the weekend. “Are there any other apartments for rent in town?”

  A slow shift of the shoulders. “There were. Until yesterday. All the other occupants of the apartment house had to find alternative arrangements too. I think just about everything available got snapped up.”

  The throbbing in her temples couldn’t be good. She rubbed her fingers against her forehead. Now what? Head back to Calgary and beg her parents to let her stay with them again? Drive three hours twice eve
ry day to get to school once her teaching position began?

  “I’ll have to check into a hotel or motel.” She couldn’t afford it, but… “Do you know which one would be the cheapest for a long-term stay?”

  The old codger raised a brow. “Well, you could try the motel, but if you give me a minute, I bet we can do you one better. Since it’s partly my fault you’re in this mess.” He gestured at the U-Haul. “You need a place to dump all that anyway. Won’t fit at a motel, I’m guessing.”

  He hauled out a cell phone, and she turned her back to stop the hysterical giggles that wanted to rise up and overtake her. The incongruity of his worn overalls and the shiny new phone was too much to handle when she stood on the verge of a breakdown.

  “Mommy. Are we lost?”

  She smiled at Nathan, his blond head poking out from the window of the truck. “No, we’re in the right spot, only there’s a mix-up. We’ll get it figured out.”

  Lance popped up beside him. “Are we still going to live here? It smells.”

  Oh Lord. “Yes, we’re moving here. You’re going to school here. I’m teaching here. Nothing has changed since the last time you asked, twenty minutes ago. And it doesn’t smell any worse than your bedroom before we cleaned it up to get ready to move.”

  Nathan laughed at him and Lance stuck out his tongue. Robbie forced his way between his brothers, all three of them hanging precariously from the window. “I have to go pee.”

  Beth sighed. She glanced at her erstwhile landlord who was still talking on the phone. He laughed at something then motioned at her, flashing a thumbs-up while he continued to yatter. A 7-Eleven across the street caught her eye, and she motioned for the boys to back up.

  “Bathroom break for everyone. I’ll buy you a Slurpee, then I expect you to stay quiet until I get this little issue solved. We’ll hit a park as soon as we can, okay?”

  They clambered down, and she pulled them in tight for a hug. Life had been hellishly tough at times lately, but these dirty, smiling faces made it all worthwhile. She waved a hand at Mr. Jordon then pointed across the street. He never broke stride in his discussion, which now seemed to be about feeding tomato plants with fish fertilizer to get the best yield. She really hoped somewhere in the conversation he had managed to find them a temporary home.

  They recrossed the street ten minutes later, three contented boys clinging to sweet frosty drinks. Didn’t take much to make her crew happy.

  Mr. Jordon grinned, pride filling his face. “I talked to my friend, Mike. He said there were no troubles with you taking possession of Grampa Peter’s homestead for a bit. His oldest sons have been living in it, but there’s plenty of room at home for them temporarily like. You’re even welcome to rent the place with the furniture if you need it. Six months sound good? I’ll promise you space back here at the end of that time since we weren’t ready when we promised.”

  “A house?” Hope brightened her weary load. What she wouldn’t give for a house to live in, instead of an apartment. It would be so much better for the boys, but she knew exactly what her expenses were going to be, and the cost for a house was probably out of reach. “How much does he want for rent?”

  Mr. Jordon snorted. “He didn’t want a damn thing, but since I figured you’d have issues with that, he said to tell you he’d take what you were going to pay me. No first and last. Just get him the money when you can. Any furniture you want to use, you use. Anything you don’t want, there’s an outbuilding to store things in.” He eyed her leg brace. “Who’s helping you unload the truck?”

  “We are.” Lance spoke up. He’d been hanging back politely but marched forward to stand wide-legged in front of her, his fists resting on his hips. Her heart ached at the sight. Only eight, and he was already trying to take care of her. “We’re Mommy’s helpers.”

  Mr. Jordon nodded sagely. “And mighty fine ones too, I bet. But you see, I know a few other young men, strapping strong fellows like yourself. Perhaps I can get them to help as well. You know, so you can show them how it’s done.”

  Lance’s face lit up and Beth breathed out slowly. It looked as if her insane idea to take her family to a place with a quieter pace of life might work after all.

  She smiled at the older man. “I’d like to see the house before I make any commitments, but I really do appreciate your help.”

  He laughed, peeling himself off his truck and yanking the door open. “Didn’t do nothing. Tell you what, you follow me. We’ll take a spin out to the Peter’s place. The Colemans are all working right now, so we won’t be disturbing anyone. If you’re happy with the place, we’ll come back and get you put up for the night at the hotel. That’ll give the boys time to clear out their things, and tomorrow I’ll get my grandsons to help your fine moving team get you settled.”

  Beth nodded at another of the adults she recognized from the Meet the Teacher night she’d attended a week earlier. Settling into the community had gone far better than she’d expected, with early September the usual whirl of commotion. Lance and Nathan loved their teachers in the small elementary school, and Robbie’s kindergarten class seemed to spend more time outdoors than inside, which was exactly what the active little boy needed.

  Nathan tugged at her shirt. “There’s Jimmy. Can I go with him?” He was away before she could confirm or deny his request, tackling his friend, the two of them rolling on the ground like puppies.

  The other mom smiled in greeting. “Hi, Beth. They are excited today, aren’t they? I can take your boys with me to the kids’ play area, if you’re okay with that.” Lance bounced on the spot, eager to go as well but unwilling to leave without permission.

  Another joy she’d discovered living in the smaller community. Never before had she felt comfortable leaving her boys in someone else’s company. Since she’d always been home, they’d never gone to day care in Calgary. Samuel had discouraged any regular playgroups. She’d never wanted to get too close to anyone and have too many questions asked. Here in Rocky Mountain House people went out of their way to say hello, to get to know the boys and offer help.

  She gave her assent, and the older boys roared off like airplanes to the colouring contest and penny carnival areas of the community picnic. Robbie clung to her hand as they walked the fairgrounds, the crowds of families racing past and the clatter of the music making him shier than usual.

  “Well, if it isn’t my lovely neighbour and her escort. Hey, Robbie boy, you enjoying yourself?”

  Beth smiled at the older man as he adjusted his crutches so he could bend over and ruffle her son’s hair. Her temporary landlord had turned out to be nothing short of an angel. He and his eldest son, Blake, had cleared their things from the Peter’s house and arranged for storage for the household goods she didn’t need.

  Now a month later, she was even more grateful as she watched her sons thrive. They needed this. In fact, she needed it too—a chance to see there were good people in the world.

  “Mike, it’s good to see you. Is Marion here as well?”

  He shook his head. “She’s feeling under the weather. But you need to drop by the house soon and join us for dinner like you promised. Marion thinks you’re avoiding us.”

  Beth lifted a brow. “We’d love to come by, but if you remember, a couple days before we were scheduled to drop in you decided to play chicken with a moose.” She pointed to his cast. “How is your leg?”

  “It’ll be fine. The boys are taking care of the harvest, so I’m sitting back and being a man of leisure this fall.” He winked. “You and me, we could enter the three-legged race and still be a leg short.”

  They laughed, their injuries another common bond between them.

  Robbie tugged on Mike’s one good pant leg. “How do chickens and moose play together?”

  A serious expression crossed the older man’s face. “Excellent question. How about I explain while you enjoy some picnic food?” He glanced at Beth for permission and she nodded. A bit of positive male interaction in Robbie’s life w
as exactly what he needed. “We’ll meet you for coffee and dessert later.”

  Beth wandered, working her way around the fair grounds. The measured gait she found most comfortable with her brace wasn’t as noticeable amongst the slow-moving crowds. The bright sunshine lit not only the sky but some of the dark places in her heart. The pace of life here in Rocky was slower. The people, while not all friendly, were a lot more open to talking to her on the street corner than in Calgary where she’d barely known her neighbours after ten years of living in the same house. The sense of being an outsider hadn’t struck her yet, perhaps because she’d stepped into the school system and had an instant group of associates. Some of her co-workers were locals who had returned to teach in their alma mater. Some were newer teachers putting in time at a smaller school in the hopes of transferring back to the big city.

  And her. Wondering where she fit for the long term.

  Working full-time outside the house for the first time in years was physically draining, especially with the extra weight of the brace and her leg injury still giving her grief. The boys were a handful, brimming with energy and excitement. They were easier to deal with now that she didn’t have her husband’s exacting demands to meet as well.

  She sat by the outdoor stage to listen to the local band and let her mind wander. Her husband—being free from his overbearing expectations and his downright emotional cruelty made every day worthwhile, no matter how exhausted she was when she fell into bed. The pain in her leg and hip were nothing compared to the pain he’d caused in their lives on a regular basis.

  No, life was good. She had little to complain about.

  If the house occasionally creaked at night and frightened her, or the wind blew around the porch with a lonely sound, she was better off by herself than letting her family continue to suffer under the hands of a tyrant.