by Gayle Eden
“Good to meet you.” Skye could see people craning their necks to gawk at them. She murmured, “It’s not you. Trust me.”
“I heard it all first night I moved here.” The woman said dryly, “Not much different from where I came from.”
They were pushing their carts. Skye asked, “Where is that?”
“Virginia. Little rural town.” Dani grabbed some V-8, put it in the cart, and added. “I almost gave up law enforcement, because people made it hard for me to do my job. Long story.” She reached up and fingered the strands of hair back that slid across her forehead from the jagged razor cut. “I’m not exactly conservative, and neither was my upbringing. Anyway,” she smiled and looked around. “I’m glad I got the job here. Even if there are no real surprises from small town to small town.”
“This one will keep you busy. The outskirts anyway. Have you heard about my brother—Rayne.”
Dani nodded and shrugged. “He was a kid when he was busted, and by all accounts didn’t know what he was getting into. Just because I’m in this profession doesn’t mean I don’t understand people making mistakes. I’ve a few of my own—on the personal front.”
“So, you’re living in town?”
“For now.” Dani grunted. “Tiny apartment. Lots of street and neighbor noise.” She laughed. “That’s coming from someone who will be on night shift until I’m not a rookie at the station.”
“It’s a small force.” She told her about Willow’s dreams to be a PI, and who she was, all that.
“That Croft guy. Very fine.”
Skye answered her grin. “Um. I’m still absorbing that he likes me.” She told her about the Tommy Taylor thing.
After saying, good for him, Dani murmured, “That bad ass with the tats—Juda. What’s his story?”
Laughing at that description, Skye told her about his military background, failed marriage, shared custody. Then said, “He’s a great guy. They breed them big and protective here.”
“Yeah. He left no doubt of that.”
Finding the expression on the woman’s face interesting, Skye started to say more on Juda’s behalf, but her phone rang and she recognized Carter’s number.
The deputy said, “I’ll let you get that. I need to pay for whatever shit I threw in this cart, go home, and sleep. Maybe we can hang out sometime…”
“People will advise you not to.”
Dani snorted and shook her head. “I’ll call. We’ll grab a steak.”
“Sure. Great.”
Standing by the juices still, Skye answered her cell.
“Hey. What you up to?”
“A lot this morning. I’m at the grocery store now. I got security for the barn and I bought a truck.”
“What kind of truck.”
“Big ass ugly one that will get me down that dirt road in winter, and haul my bike.”
Carter laughed.
“It will look better once I get a paint job and I can put my ad on the door.”
Again, he laughed
It made her warm and damp—right there in the store. She had wakened flooded with memories of the erotic things he had done.
“What’s your schedule this week?”
“A football theme wedding. Which means, preparing until then.”
“I want dinner out with you. At least one night. And I want you to come to the Ranch Friday and hang out.”
“Is this where I tell you, you’ll get what you want?” She chuckled.
“If I do. You’ll get something in return.”
She released a breath that must have been telling, because he made her blush, husking softly, “You know you want to, babe. You know I want to.”
“You’re wicked, Carter Croft.”
“Um.” He waited a moment then supplied, “I’m thinking dinner at O’Malley’s tomorrow.”
“Dinner. But I’ve really got a lot to do.”
“Okay. Eight o’clock. And I’m picking you up.”
“What. You don’t want to ride in my used truck.”
“Honey. I’ll ride anywhere with you, but I’m taking you out, I’m picking you up.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll let you go,” he said. Then offered, “You can take me for a ride across the ranch some evening.”
“All right.”
“We’ll make out.”
Snorting she said bye when he did, and hung up.
Skye paid for groceries and drove homeward. She had a super busy week ahead. All she wanted—was to be skin to skin with sexy Carter Croft again.
Chapter 8
It started raining on Monday, but that didn’t interfere with the hard work to be done at 4 Oaks. Carter kept up with Kane, taking the truck or 4 wheelers instead of riding horses some days. Kelly arose every morning and drove out to job hunt. Willow was cramming for exams. Carter had tried to broach the subject of Kane’s words with Kelly—but all Kane did was grunt.
When asked Kelly, she said, “He owes me an apology. But he can shove it.”
Since it was supposed to clear up on Friday, and Carter mentioned grilling out back, Kane said he’d invite Jesse and Juda. From that point, Rio seemed to get tense and as fractious as Kane. Carter would marinate more steaks; add corn and potatoes to the menu. He needed to do a store run. By the time, he went in and cleaned up, picked up Skye for dinner at O’Malley’s, he was ready for some more agreeable company.
Skye was distracted. She was clearly tired. They ate and sipped beer. Carter thought she looked beautiful, of course, but there were shadows under her eyes, and she didn’t talk much. So, as soon as they had finished, he took her home.
Walking her to the door, he got a look inside and was amazed at the magic she had done. There were long bench bleachers for seats, and what she explained were the bride and grooms team colors in the ribbons with footballs and helmets hanging from the rafters. Flowers were scenting the air and signs, pendants, even pompoms and cleats were in tubs with sports drinks containers apparently filled with confetti. Jerseys were tacked to the walls.
“I still have tons to do,” she said when he complimented her. “Details.”
“You’re tired.” He took her in an embrace. “I’m going to get out of here, and just look forward to Friday.”
“I’m sorry.” Her head rested on his chest.
“Don’t be.” Cupping her face, he kissed her long and slow.
“On second thought…” She eyed him dreamily afterwards.
Chuckling he swatted her nice backside. “Go. Sleep. You can get up early and work.”
He left and drove back to the ranch.
The next day, he went with Rio to deliver two horses someone was adopting. About the only conversation Rio had was that he was glad Willow was too busy to invite Erik over. He did approach the subject of guard dogs for Skye, and Rio said he would keep that in mind.
When he got back, Kane was working on one of the four wheelers, so they were out at the barn late doing that. Sometime in the wee hours, they were all in the house, showered, then in the kitchen digging around for left overs, and drinking fresh coffee.
His hands banged up, his body sore as hell; Carter shuffled to the great room with some cold chicken and bread, having a soda bottle tucked under his arm. He sank into one of the chairs and ate, while Rio and Kane came in, much the same.
After the food was consumed, he leaned his head back to relax a moment, coffee cup in his hand.
Eyes closed he was close to dozing off when he heard Kane say, “I don’t know what your problem is with Jesse, but don’t be an ass hole Friday when she’s here.”
Rio growled, “I’m not the one with an attitude, —.”
Kane muttered, piss off.
It was developing into a full-blown fight when Rio told Kane to go fuck himself.
Opening his eyes, getting to his feet, Carter swept them with a hard glace, saying, “Since I invited Skye over, and I fully intend to have a good time with her, the both of you can lose the attitudes and be hos
pitable.” He grabbed up his plate, carrying everything to the sink.
He went upstairs, passing Rio on the way.
Carter said in parting, “I don’t care if you cut each other slack or not, but you’ve both been pricks to be around this week. Get your shit together. We all miss Grandpa, and we all have issues, but you have a daughter, and we are the only family each other has here on the ranch. Put some effort in acting like it.”
* * * *
Friday
A huge grill was cleaned and readied for steaks that Carter brought out. Two picnic tables were pushed together for seating. Beer and sodas were in the fridge.
Skye showed up looking great, with her red hair side parted and tucked behind her ears. She had on black boots, a red and blue plaid kilt skirt, and a light blue sweater. She took right up in the kitchen after asking what needed done—after Carter got a long kiss hello, and asked how she was feeling. To which she said, feeling him. Thus, the excitement was already in the air for the evening between them.
Juda arrived, wearing jeans and hooded sweatshirt, USMC on it. Jesse looked relaxed, having brought coffee for after dinner, and in low-rise jeans, sneakers and T-shirt, a jacket she took off to help in the kitchen.
They made salads and iced tea, warmed rolls
Willow was going to have to eat and run. She had a date with Eric since she had been studying so much. She muttered something when Rio told her not to lay out all night, but promised she be in early and in her room. She was graduating early, which meant her college classes started right afterwards. She was determined to ace everything and get on to the good part—as she put it.
Conversation, laughing, joking, talking horses, and ranching flowed well. All of them moving around, and Carter coming in for something in the kitchen, getting a kiss from Skye every time.
Kelly too was only going to stay for a while. She chopped veggies and made herself a salad, grabbed bread, and then told Skye she was going to see about a job prospect someone mentioned while she was leaving her resume around.
Eventually they were all at the table eating. Juda and Kane, Jess talking horses. Skye rolled her eyes at Carter’s delicious steaks and muttered, “Is there nothing you don’t do well?”
In a flirty mood and obviously wanting to get her in one too, he drawled, “I’m cooking up something special for you later. “
She flushed and laughed, holding his eyes.
“I’m glad you’re here,” he said softly.
“I am too.”
After eating, sitting around awhile, Rio got to his feet, saying he would be doing the dishes.
Carter exchanged a look with Kane as Jesse watched him walk to the back screen door, before turning again. She had watched him all day. Rio was polite, but mostly silent. Not so different from his usual self, but there was tension.
Kane shrugged.
She got up and took her plate in. She gathered Carter’s and Skye’s too.
Conversation picked up, Juda now talking about the security cameras and Skye participating in the conversation.
A crash and shouted cursing brought them to the back screen door.
Just beyond the sink, standing in the middle of the floor, Rio was saying, “It’s just a vase.”
“It’s your Grandma’s heirloom. Dammit.” Jessie was on the floor picking up pieces of glass, tears running down her face. “I can’t believe I did this.”
“Calm down.” Rio groused, “It was accident.”
“It doesn’t matter. I broke your grandmother’s vase. I remember seeing this since I was young girl.” Jesse picked up glass with one hand, wiped at her face with the other. Ignoring Rio’s telling her it was okay.
“Stop saying that! It’s not okay!” Jess started crying harder. “Your grandfather put flowers in this vase every day.”
She kept saying she was sorry, that she didn’t mean to knock it off the sink.
“I said it’s okay.”
“I’ll never forgive myself…” She was scooping shards up heedlessly.
Rio got down on the floor, took her by the shoulders in a hard grip and after saying her name twice—and her ignoring him, he shook her. The soothing tone he used with most people and animals was replaced with a harsh, “Jesse, goddamnit. Stop!”
She froze. Her face and body immobilized, eyes wide. Too wide—and transfixed on Rio.
He uttered, “Jess?” his voice softened.
She was crying, silent, but staring at him.
“Jesse?” It was a rasp. This time the shake was less forceful.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” she breathed in reedy tones.
Jesse closed her fist around glass. Blood immediately overran her palm and dripped in the floor.
“Jess…” Rio tried to cup her face. “Listen to me. It’s okay. It’s okay. It was an accident.”
She pulled her head away, shaking it. Something, a wince she did, made him look down at her hand.
Rio grabbed her wrist and pried her fingers open, removing the glass shard, and nearly ripping his shirt off to press to her hand. All the while, he was saying her name, and murmuring, “Don’t do that, Sweet. Don’t hurt yourself.”
His hand shook as he stroked her hair, eyes seeking hers; he said soft and low, “Let’s get up now. Clean your hand. Okay, Jess.”
He kept their eyes locked. “I’m not mad Jesse. No one is angry. I just don’t want you to be upset or hurt yourself. Let’s stand up, okay? I’ll clean the rest up.”
Carter heard Juda make a sound of pain in his throat.
When Juda started to plow forward, Kane caught his arm and whispered, “Let him.”
Jesse was breathing shallow and fast at first, but gradually it slowed and evened out. Her face was soaked with tears, her eyes stark for a long moment.
“I’m going to help you up. We’re going to get this cut fixed.” Rio carefully grasped her forearms, and squatted in front of her, he was bringing her up slowly. “Everything is fine, Jess. We just need to look at your hand.”
She was shaking all over. Even Carter’s throat was locked tight as they watched Rio get her to sink. Then, he was running water, washing her hand and talking softly in her ear, while he fumbled above in the cabinet for first aid supplies.
The water stopped. Rio held a towel to it, his forehead near Jesse’s. He whispered, “Don’t cry, Jesse. I’m sorry, did I hurt you. Scare you. No? Please don’t cry, okay baby. It’s nothing.”
Carter saw Rio’s eyes close while his cheek rested on her head a moment. He noticed the fierce tremble in Rio too then…
Rio pulled back after a moment, bandaged, and wrapped her hand.
At some point, Jess was all there, completely aware.
The whole atmosphere in the kitchen changed.
She and Rio were still only aware of each other.
Jesse used her good hand to turn on water, wash her face, and she wiped it with a towel. Next, she smoothed her hair and muttered, “Find a broom and dust pan.”
“Got it covered,” he answered in a light tone.
“I could use a drink,” she suggested. “Whiskey. Neat.”
Hoarsely, he offered, “I’ll pour us both one.”
Carter turned away. Juda was ahead of them when they went back to the yard. Everyone lit a cigarette. Skye went over to Juda, who had his back to them, her voice quiet as she talked to him for some time.
It was a bit later that Carter asked Kane, “What can we do…”
“Nothing.” Kane shook his head. His eyes were troubled. “She doesn’t think anyone knows…”
“Knows what?”
Kane shook his head again and muttered, “I think I’ll see if she wants to go for a walk or something.”
Carter went to find Skye, who had left the yard.
She was helping do the dishes.
He took over Rio’s washing. The man was grim faced and looked stark. Skye dried. They brewed coffee.
Looking out the window, they saw Kane and Jesse wearing jackets, wa
lking close to each other, out toward the barn.
Later, when they had their coffee and went outside before sunset, Carter observed Rio leaning against one of the oaks. He had the rest of that whiskey bottle with him. Juda braced a palm on the tree and was talking to him for some time, before he left, waving toward the porch.
Rio got in his truck and drove toward his old camper.
“Let’s go inside,” Carter suggested.
They went in, lit a fire in the fireplace, and Carter lay against the arm of the sofa, Skye setting between his legs and laying back. They talked quietly for a long time, hearing Kane and Jesse enter the kitchen at some point. They stayed in there, at the table, their voices low.
Eventually Willow came home, yawning and poking her head in to say goodnight before jogging up the stairs. Kelly was later coming in and preoccupied, heading for her room.
With Carter’s hand rubbing her stomach, and the warm fire, Skye drifted off to sleep. Carter did too, the both of them turning so that she was laying half atop him, his arm around her.
A slight noise brought Skye’s head up hours later.
Pushing her hair back, she smiled at Carter’s face, beautiful in sleep and then looked toward the noise.
It was Kane, fixing the fire. He must have covered them because there was a quilt over herself and Carter.
“What time is it?” she whispered
Kane, hand on the mantle, pulled his gaze from the fire. “Late. Why don’t you just sleep here?” His grin followed that. “It’s raining and foggy out anyway.”
“All right.” She had her hand on Carter’s side, across his stomach, and looked at Kane, at his hard form and features.
He offered softly, “Sorry about today.”
“I had a great time. People are complicated. We all have our scars.”
He had turned fully and scanned Carter, and herself, taking in their intimate posture. Even in sleep Carter had his arm around her too, his long leg over hers, and his bigger, more masculine frame was in a protective curve around her smaller one.
When he met her gaze again, Skye saw a lot in his green eyes. She offered as he took a step to leave, probably to head upstairs, “I’ll make breakfast in the morning.”
