Aislin smiles up at Gabe and wipes his jaw line, where Smurfette’s blue paint lingers. She waves her blue fingers in front of his face. But, the bull still seems to see red. His angry eyes meet hers and she grabs his hand, “Let’s go dance, Gabe.” Aislin pulls him onto the dance floor and they begin to gyrate with the music and the crowd. Slowly, Gabe’s scowl fades and before the first song is over, it is replaced by his normal playful smile. At the end of the night, another guy approaches them on the dance floor. He looks sort of like Parker and Jaxon. Gabe introduces him as their brother and his other cousin, Easton. Easton is dressed in jeans and a black t-shirt. His chestnut hair dusts his brow and he looks strong-jawed and straight-nosed as his brothers. His eyes are an unusual cloudy gray color. His frame isn’t as muscled as his brothers and instead looks very skinny and lanky. He introduces his wife and Aislin is somewhat surprised. She is gorgeous, but seems older than him. Where he appears to be in his late 20s, she is probably late 30’s or early 40’s and she is plus size and curvaceous. Her dark eyes sparkle and her light brown hair is shiny and straight.
The crowd starts to thin and Aislin heads to the bar for some water, praying she won’t have a bad hangover tomorrow as they have to take the winding roads back to Huntington. She and Gabe down a couple of bottles of water each and then decide to head back to the guest house to crash for the night. Aislin’s feet ache and she can’t wait to take a hot shower and fall into a comfortable bed followed by a deep sleep. Ty can’t haunt me there. Can he?
†
The smell of coffee and sunlight invading the guest room window wake Aislin. She drags herself from the comfort of the warm nest of sheets and blankets and makes her way to the kitchen, where Gabe sits at the small oak table huddled over his coffee cup as he reads the morning newspaper, which he admits to having stolen from Parker and Amy. Aislin learns that the two of them have been married for two years and are currently trying to conceive. They met during college and are both computer programmers.
Parker had developed some sort of software about a year ago, which he sold to a major computer manufacturer for a pretty penny. That’s where the house and over 400 acres of land come from. That also explains why there are no nearby houses. The two decided to open “The Barn” last fall. They host parties and rent out the venue for receptions, business dinners, company parties, and that sort of thing. If they aren’t booked, every Friday and Saturday, The Barn opens for the locals. Aislin imagines how beautiful a location it would be for a wedding—minus the hay bales. Suddenly, her heart clenches knowing that she and Ty won’t be getting married this summer after all. Damn gnat!
Gabe goes on. Easton owns his own contracting business after having worked construction during the summers while getting his business degree. Easton’s wife Melissa owns and works at a small floral shop in Williamson and the pair has one child and is trying for number two. Donovan is a five-year old, Gabe describes as a red-haired, freckle-faced hellion and why they want any more kids while dealing with him is beyond Gabe’s comprehension. Aislin just laughs.
Gabe describes Jaxon as trouble with a capital “T,” and seems to do his best to warn her away from him, making sure to mention that Jaxon leaves a trail of heartbroken women wherever he goes and that recently the family has grown concerned about him. Jaxon’s behavior has grown darker. He works hard, no doubt. The mines are certainly no place for the lazy. But, when he isn’t working, he’s drinking and has become more and more reckless lately. As hot as he is, Aislin, decides to steer clear of him. The last thing she needs is to rope herself to another cheating jerk, especially with someone that has enough baggage to drag her down with him.
Gabe and Aislin pack up their things, shower, dress and meet back in the living room once finished. While Aislin had been showering, Amy called to invite the pair to have breakfast before they head back to Huntington. Despite having taken two aspirin and drinking two full glasses of water, Aislin’s head is pounding. As she and Gabe ascend the stairs to Parker and Amy Harrison’s front door, she winces as the sunlight shines through the clouds into her eyes. Gabe notices this and immediately chuckles.
“Head hurt, Mac?” He jokes.
“Hardy, har, har.” She dryly replies.
Gabe rings the doorbell and a way-too-chipper-for-this-early-in-the-morning Amy answers the door with a bright smile. Amy is wearing a cute feminine floral sundress and immediately Aislin worries that she is underdressed in her jeans and light blue V-neck t-shirt. That thought is quickly squashed by Amy’s excitement, as she pulls Aislin into the house leading her to the kitchen, pushing her into the large wooden breakfast booth. Gabe finds Parker turning the bacon near the stove. Amy buzzes around the kitchen like a June bug with a string around its leg.
“Amy, can I help you set the table or get drinks out or anything?” Aislin asks, pulling her long hair back into a loose, messy knot.
Amy waves her off. “No way. I’m almost finished.”
Amy sets the table for eight, and says that Easton, Melissa, Donovan and Jaxon will likely show up. Aislin flushes at the thought of seeing Jaxon again. After the activities of last night, she wonders if he’ll even remember her. She certainly remembers him, and his sinful dimple. Aislin is pulled from her thoughts as the front door bangs open and footsteps quickly pounding toward the kitchen erupt. A short, red-haired boy, whom Aislin assumes is Donovan, bursts into the kitchen holding a Nerf gun.
“Uncle Parker! Uncle Gabe! Look!” he yells. Donovan is skinny and pale. Freckles are scattered all over his skin and his hair is a vibrant red.
Gabe braces himself and lets Donovan practically tackle him in the floor, giving him a big hug and then pulling back to see what he’s trying to show him.
“Look at my new gun! Wanna play, Uncle Gabe?”
Parker nods his approval and Gabe leaves the scrambled eggs and bacon in his care. Seeing Aislin for the first time, Donovan nudges Gabe.
“Who’s the hottie, Uncle Gabe?”
Melissa rolls her eyes as she enters the kitchen with a basket of homemade biscuits. Easton enters behind her with a jug of apple juice, which Aislin learns is the only thing Donovan will drink. Gabe smiles and crouches down next to Donovan.
“This hottie, Donovan, is Mac.” Gabe grins at Aislin. Donovan looks confused. He pinches his lips to the side and tilts his head the same direction.
“Mac,” he ponders. “That’s a weird name for a girl.”
Everyone chuckles. “Does she looks like a guy to you?” Gabe raises his brow in question.
Donovan shakes his head. “Definitely not.” Donovan leans over and whispers something into Gabe’s ear earning a full-bodied laugh that fills the room.
“Maybe one day, little man. Let’s go play with your new gun.” Aislin tilts her head to the side wondering what the laughter was all about. When she looks up, Jaxon is leaning against the door facing, smirking at her. She notices his jade eyes again and her heart skips a beat. Get a hold of yourself, Aislin. They’re just eyes.
Jaxon’s jeans hang perfectly off of his body and his navy blue t-shirt hugs the curves of his muscles perfectly, Aislin notices. She decides to busy herself to keep from staring at Jaxon, retrieving glasses and mugs from the cabinets near Parker. Parker and Amy place food on serving dishes and Melissa grabs a carafe, pouring coffee for those who shout out a request for it. Easton grabs the orange and apple juice, butter and jelly from the fridge and sets everything in the center of the table. Jaxon slides into the booth to the center, his eyes never leaving Aislin as she leaves the room to tell Gabe and Donovan that breakfast is ready.
“I wanna sit next to Uncle Gabe and Mac,” declares Donovan. Gabe nods for Aislin to slide into the booth. Her eyes widen. If she slides in first, she will be seated next to Jaxon. She squares her shoulders, vowing not to be distracted by the pretty package of Jaxon Harrison. She slides in and Donovan scuttles into the booth beside her, followed by Gabe. Easton and Melissa slide into the other side next to Jaxon, leaving room for Pa
rker and then Amy to fill out the seats.
There is quite a commotion as everyone begins to fill their plates and glasses. Hands are everywhere. Aislin decides to wait until everyone is finished before she digs in. Gabe fills Donovan’s plate for him and pours him some apple juice. Jaxon nudges her left arm with his right.
“What are you waiting for, Mac?”
“Oh, I—”
“Here.” He puts some scrambled eggs and two slices of bacon on her plate, followed by a biscuit. “What do you like to drink?”
“Orange juice?” She answers as if it’s a question. He’s actually serving her. And, Aislin is pretty sure Jaxon isn’t the serving type, unless you count self-serving.
He fills her cup with orange juice. She can’t help but feel grateful, but at the same time she feels as though she is being treated like a child. Jaxon has filled her plate and cup the same way Gabe had filled Donovan’s. The thought irks her for a moment before she decides that he was just trying to make her feel comfortable.
During breakfast, everyone debates the latest debacle in Washington, D.C. and Donovan moves closer and closer to Aislin. When the boy’s side is completely flush against hers, he looks up at her and gives her a devilish smile. “Do you have angina?” he asks innocently, his eyebrows raised awaiting her answer.
Aislin’s eyes widen, her brows raise as well and she sucks in a breath. The conversation surrounding them stop instantly. “Um, no?” Her eyes plead for Melissa and Easton’s help. Melissa rolls her eyes and looks at Aislin apologetically.
She explains, “No. Donovan. Girls have va-ginas and boys have penises. Remember?” Donovan eyes light up. He apparently remembers and then continues.
“So, do you have a va-gina, Mac?”
Melissa interjects, “Yes, son. She has a vagina. Now, let’s talk about something else.”
Donovan is quiet for a minute and Easton and Parker begin talking about a portion of timber they are clearing from the rear of Parker and Amy’s property.
Donovan squeezes Aislin’s knee and says, “Can I see it, Mac? Can I see your vagina?” Everyone goes quiet again.
“No, Donovan. That’s private, okay?” She smiles back, trying to keep the heat from flooding into her cheeks. Gabe’s shoulders shake as he suppresses his laughter. Melissa apologizes for her son’s forwardness. School is almost out for the summer and they are teaching anatomy early these days, she explains. Aislin waves it off as no big deal. Gabe takes Donovan outside and the others work to clear the table, preserve the leftovers and load the dishwasher. Jaxon nudges Aislin with his knee and leans into her. His warm breath tickles her ear. In a low, husky voice, he says, “Can I see it, Mac?” He smirks before sliding his way around and out of the booth, yelling his goodbye to everyone and leaving out the front door.
Aislin is left breathless. Her heart pounds in her chest. She can’t believe he just said that. Inwardly, she chastises herself remembering Gabe’s warning. One thing is for certain, she needs to steer clear of Jaxon Harrison. Luckily, she is heading back to Huntington today.
Chapter 4
While outside allowing Donovan to shoot him with foam discs, Gabe’s thoughts turn to Mac. He recalls last night; how she looked in that sexy outfit, how good she smelled, like lavender and sugar, how much he’d enjoyed being with her. He wonders where these thoughts are coming from. Only ever considering Mac his friend and even like a sister, he is confused by the intense jealousy that rushed over him as he watched her lick the salt off of Jaxon’s face. Bastard. Damn dimple. He certainly doesn’t deserve someone as sweet as Mac. She’s been through so much in the past week, not to mention the past few years, and yet she remains strong.
This fact doesn’t surprise him, though. Gabe remembers talking to Declan about the horrors inflicted upon them both by their final foster family. The things taking place in the house next door were more than he could fathom and certainly more than he could understand. Why would anyone want to hurt Mac? One thing is for certain, as long as he is around, no one else ever will again. When he and Declan found out that their deployment would take them to Afghanistan, Declan made Gabe promise that if anything happened to him, he would take care of his sister—be a big brother to her in his place. At the time, Gabe thought Declan was just joking around. Now that Dec is gone, that is a promise Gabe intends to keep.
Donovan runs down the step to try to shoot a grasshopper that just jumped past them. Gabe is pulled from his thoughts by the sound of a car approaching up the driveway. A sleek, black BMW pulls up and stops, the brakes emitting a slight, short squeal. A tall, thin guy with messy blonde hair exits and begins up the sidewalk carrying a gift basket of some sort. Definitely not a delivery guy. He approaches, reeking of money. It practically drips from his designer jeans, shirt and shoes. He pushes his aviator shades up onto his head and smiles at Gabe, outstretching one hand. His handshake is firm.
“Hey, I just moved in up the road and I’m your closest neighbor, so I thought I would introduce myself.” He smiles and his icy blue eyes twinkle coldly, in direct opposition to the warmth he is trying to exude. Gabe doesn’t like this guy at all, but for some reason, he seems familiar. Gabe searches his memory for where he might know this man.
“Jeremiah Stone.”
“Gabe Church. My cousin and his wife live here. Hold on.” He climbs the steps, opens the door and yells for Parker and Amy.
Gabe sizes up Jeremiah Stone while he waits for Parker and Amy to come to the door. Amy arrives with Mac in tow. Silently cursing, Gabe wishes Mr. Stone had never seen Mac. Unfortunately, given his expression and the way he briefly looks at Amy and then holds his gaze on Mac, he certainly is taking notice. Jeremiah gives the ladies a big, warm smile that Gabe figures drops panties everywhere. He shakes Amy’s hand and then Mac’s. Gabe notices that he doesn’t release Mac’s hand immediately, but stares at her, grinning like he’s won the lottery and holds onto it for way too damn long. Both ladies just smile back and gush about how nice the gift basket is, containing an expensive bottle of Cabernet, fresh green and red grapes and an assortment of French cheeses. Stupid Fromage. Gabe wants to shove the basket back into Stone’s hands, turn him around and stuff him back into his fancy car. Tell him to take a hike. He wants to make sure Stone knows that Mac is off limits.
Apparently, Jeremiah has had a house built on the property adjacent to Parker’s. Parker’s land is vast, so his house is still pretty far away. Parker shows up and greets his new neighbor warmly, thanking him for the gift and introduction. The group engages in conversation with their new acquaintance. In speaking, Stone mentions that he had actually attended the party with a female friend of his last night and that both had a wonderful time. That must be why he seems familiar. Unfortunately, he remembers Mac and her costume from last night, as he compliments her on the same. Gabe’s fists clench along with his jaw. This guy was just with another chick last night but was checking Mac out.
“I was wondering who owns the small home between our properties.” Jeremiah asked conversationally.
Parker raked his hand through his hair. “Oh, it was here when we purchased the property. We’ve recently had it renovated and are considering selling it along with an acre or so since it’s right on the property line and I don’t really want to deal with the up-keep of the house and lawn.”
Mac looks down, her brows knit together. Maybe she doesn’t like this guy either. Gabe does his best to remain cordial for the remainder of Stone’s visit. Inwardly, he wants to kick the shit out of the guy, and he isn’t even sure why. Pretty boy just rubs him the wrong way. But, Gabe behaves. He even waves goodbye along with his cousins and Mac as Stone turns and drives back the way he came.
The group settles on the steps, enjoying the early morning air. In early May, it is still warm and pleasant—not humid, yet. Mac clears her throat before asking, “Parker, are you really considering selling the house on the far end of your property?” Shit. Gabe knows where she’s going with this.
Amy interject
s, “Yes. We have an appointment with a friend who is a realtor next Thursday evening. Why?”
Mac smiles. “I’d like to see the house before you list it if that would be okay.” Amy smiles conspiratorially and runs to get the key to the cottage. Gabe tries to suggest that he alone should take her to view the home, but Amy refuses, saying she wants to show Mac how great it is. Gabe had hoped to go and talk her out of this crazy idea, maybe mentioning that something needed repairs. Maybe lying a little, or a lot. Anything to talk her out of it, and into staying near him in Huntington. The realization takes his breath. Where did that come from?
Gabe remains quiet during the tour of the small cottage. It is a one and a half story home with yellow siding. White window boxes sit beneath the windows in the front. A weeping willow tree regally adorns the left side of the front yard. The landscaping around the front of the house is immaculate. No doubt Parker and Amy have had it professional landscaped recently. Hostas and lavender and a pink-blooming weeping cherry tree sit in the raised cedar-mulch gardens that line the front of the home. There is a small concrete porch on the front of the house, which holds a two-person white wooden porch swing.
Amy begins her tour of the inside of the home. The front door opens into a small living room, which is situated to the right. To the left, is a small kitchen with updated oak cabinetry and granite countertops. New stainless steel appliances complete the modern look. Down the hallway, is a small bedroom, which is set up like a guest room at present, complete with a small twin bed, dresser and bedside table. Too small for Mac, Gabe thinks. Across from the guest room is a roomy bathroom, also recently renovated. It has a new vanity and mirror, toilet, fixtures, a walk-in shower and large jet tub that Mac gushes over. Shit!
Devil Creek Page 4
