Murphy's Law

by Jennifer Lowery

  “Everything’s good. I’m going to stay out here for a while. Why don’t you go on in and mingle. It’s been awhile since you’ve been home, huh?”

  Gabe nodded, staring at the barn. “Yeah, too long. Want to point out Sara and Abby to me so I can keep an eye on things?”

  They walked toward the barn and stood just inside the door. Murphy instantly saw Sara--it wasn’t hard to find her. Her blond hair stood out in the crowd and so did her laugh. Light and airy, it wrapped around him like a silken glove. In the middle of the dance floor, she stumbled through the steps of a line dance. Every time she missed a step, she laughed. Murphy’s chest tightened. She looked happy. Free. Not thinking about her past or living in fear for the moment. It did funny things to his insides. This was how he wanted her. Where she should be.

  The thought came out of nowhere and blindsided him. This was where she belonged. The kind of woman she deserved to be. And, dammit, he wanted her to be here with him.

  Shaken, he studied her for a moment. She had swept her hair up into a soft pile of curls that showcased her slender neck. She was beautiful. Her dress hugged her curves. His body tightened. He wanted her. Had wanted her more since he’d told her they were through. Avoiding her hadn’t done a thing to curb his appetite, and seeing her like this only made him want her more.

  “Keeping tabs on her is going to be easy. She’s…” Gabe trailed off, searching for the right word as his gaze followed Sara’s movements.

  “Mine,” Murphy said before he could stop it.

  Gabe grinned and clapped his shoulder. “Understood. You’re a lucky man. I think I’m going to go say hello to your sisters. Catch you later.”

  Murphy watched Gabe weave his way through the crowd, stopping to chat with people he hadn’t seen in a long time. He noticed a difference in Gabe, an alertness that had been fine-tuned over the years. He presented himself as the casual, easygoing guy he used to be, but the definite hardness in him could only have come from years of dangerous missions and exposure to deadly terrorist games.

  He and Gabe had spent their early years raising hell in this small town, but the Army had turned them around. They had done some really stupid things as teens. Spray-painting old man Turner’s barn was only one of the stunts they’d pulled. His father had been livid when he found out. He still remembered the disappointment on his old man’s face that night. And his vow to never to put it there again. But he had. Many times again before he got himself straightened out.

  Then he was sent into Azbakastan.

  Sara’s laughter drew his attention. She stood on the dance floor with her head thrown back in exasperation. Abby tugged on her hand, giggling. Justine and MaryAnn were laughing at her too and Murphy suddenly felt like an outsider in his own family. They had taken Sara in just as he knew they would. He missed them. His sisters were open, loving women who accepted people for who they were. He had pushed them away, swearing he didn’t want to be cared for, but dammit, he did.

  He watched from the sidelines as Bobby Thorton approached Sara and started talking to her. He appeared to be showing her the steps. Knowing Bobby from school, Murphy knew exactly what he wanted to teach Sara. Anger sparked.

  What the hell was this woman doing to him? Snapping a lid on it, Murphy slipped back into the night to do some more recon and get his priorities in order. Keeping Sara and Abby safe was his priority, not caring who she danced with.

  But, as he walked the perimeter, his mood grew surlier when he couldn’t get thoughts of Sara and Bobby out of his head.

  Damn woman had gotten under his skin.

  * * * *

  Her feet were going to fall off.

  Sara begged for mercy and made her way to where Abby was winding down on a bale of hay. She had circled the dance floor more than twenty times with various partners and she was still dizzy. James had indeed been a great dancer. Paul had spun her so fast she was sure she’d walk sideways for a week.

  Justine caught her by the elbow. “We’re going to take the kids home, want us to take Abby with us? She can sleep over while you enjoy the rest of the night.”

  Sara hesitated, then took a deep breath and nodded. Time to start trusting again. Who better to start with than Murphy’s sister? Abby wouldn’t be far away, she could do this.

  “Sure, I think she’d enjoy that.”

  Justine’s smile said what words didn’t. Good job.

  Abby was ecstatic about spending the night. She hugged Sara and took off with Justine and Paul without hesitation. Sara watched, trying not to feel sad, but it didn’t work. She missed her already.

  Wrapping her arms around her waist, she looked around the barn. She hadn’t seen Murphy at all tonight. Thought she’d felt his eyes on her earlier but when she’d looked around she hadn’t seen him. Would he show up at all?

  The blond-haired man named Bobby brought her a glass of punch and she accepted with a tiny smile. He was a nice looking man and very courteous, but he wasn’t Murphy. He had asked her out for coffee, which she politely refused. He wasn’t giving up easily, she realized, when he stayed to talk. Only half-listening, she let her gaze wander through the crowd. And found Murphy.

  Leaning against the doorway, he talked to a handsome man she had noticed earlier. The man was a couple inches shorter than Murphy and built just as solidly. His hair was a rich brown and his eyes were a stunning, deep blue. When he’d caught her eye earlier she had been struck by the depth of those midnight blue eyes.

  Bobby continued to hold a one-way conversation with her and she politely nodded and smiled when she was supposed to. She had perfected the skill while married to Kent, when dragged to numerous parties that bored her stiff. The people she met had been vain and self-centered, so she’d learned to nod and smile as if listening intently, while dreaming of being somewhere else.

  “Sara. I have a recipe for you.”

  She turned to see Peter MacKenzie approach. Grateful for the distraction, she smiled at the handsome, salt-and-pepper-haired man.

  “Excuse us for a moment, would you, Bobby?” Peter asked, tucking Sara’s hand into the crook of his elbow.

  “Of course. Save a dance for me, Sara,” Bobby said, and with a wink, mingled with the crowd.

  “Thought you could use a hand,” Peter said with a smile.

  Sara nodded and smiled. “You were right. Thank you.”

  She liked Peter MacKenzie. He had a way of making people feel at ease. He had given her the recipe for his coleslaw earlier, but Bobby didn’t know that.

  “Bobby’s a nice kid. Little pushy. Have you met my son, Gabriel, yet?”

  Sara looked up to see Murphy’s friend with the deep blue eyes standing in front of her. “No, I haven’t,” she said.

  The man had the same manner about him as his father and Sara instantly liked him. His smile put her at ease. He reached out a hand and she took it.

  “I’m Gabe,” he said. “Nice to meet you, Sara.”

  “Gabe and Jon used to raise Cain in this area,” Peter said. “But don’t you worry, they’re good boys now.”

  Sara smiled at the way Peter referred to everyone as “boys” instead of men, and with warmth and pride in his voice.

  “Well, most of the time,” Gabe said with a smile that she bet would make a nun shuck her habit.

  “You served with Mu-Jon in the Army?” she asked.

  “Seems like a long time ago, but, yeah.”

  “Friends and military pals, that’s great. Are you home for long?”

  Peter clapped a hand on Gabe’s shoulder. “For as long as we can have him. Mind if I borrow him for a while?”

  “Absolutely not. Nice meeting you, Gabe.”

  “Likewise. I’m sure we’ll cross paths again.”

  Sara watched them head toward the drink table. Both men had the same easy, confident manner. Gabe definitely resembled his father.

  Turning, Sara searched for Murphy again. He no longer stood in the doorway and she felt a moment’s disappointment. She’d h
oped he would come over and talk to her, but obviously he was still avoiding her.

  Then she saw him. And he wasn’t alone. He stood near the buffet table, handing a paper cup to a striking, dark haired woman in a very tight skirt and blouse. She smiled at him and accepted the cup. Pain knifed through Sara’s heart. He had put a stop to all involvement with her and already moved on. It hurt more than she cared to admit, so with a sigh she turned away. Murphy’s scar made him sexy. It didn’t surprise her women were starting to flock toward him. Men like Murphy didn’t come around every day. He was a good catch.

  Feeling lost and alone, she started to make her way toward the door. Maybe she would call it a night before she had to witness Murphy letting loose with the brunette. That would be more than she could handle. She wasn’t ready to see him with another woman. Especially on the dance floor and holding her.

  Bumping her way past people, Sara almost made it to the door when someone grabbed her arm and spun her around. Startled, she gasped and found herself staring at Murphy’s chest showing through the unbuttoned vee in his shirt.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” he growled.

  “To bed,” she retorted. “Not that it’s any of your business.”

  “It is my business. You aren’t going anywhere alone.”

  “You can’t stop me. Besides, you’re too busy to accompany me.”

  She hadn’t meant to say that. Mercy, she had never spoken a jealous word in her life. Murphy wasn’t hers, he could dance with whomever he pleased. She frowned when he quirked a brow in amusement.

  “Jealous?”

  “No.”

  “Liar,” he murmured and gripped her elbow. “Come on.”

  Sara tried to dig in her heels without making a scene, but finding it impossible to do so, she followed him onto the dance floor. The band played a slow song as Murphy led her into the far corner and pulled her into his arms. Stunned, she stared up at him, not moving.

  With an exaggerated sigh, Murphy lifted her arms, draped them around his neck and began to sway to the music.

  “Move your feet, Sheldon,” he ordered softly in her ear.

  Blinking, she let him lead her in a slow circle, still shocked he was dancing with her. He held her lightly and moved with grace and ease that had her melting against him. One hand rested on the small of her back and the other cupped the nape of her neck. She was soon lost in the scent and feel of him and forgot all about the people surrounding them.

  “Nice dress,” Murphy murmured.

  Sara blushed. “Thanks.”

  “Next time you want to go in town and spend my money, do it with back-up.”

  “You knew?” she gasped.

  He sent her a look that indicated how ridiculous the question was.

  “I don’t care about the money, Sara. If you and Abby need anything, all you have to do is ask and I’ll get it for you. It’s the fact you went into town without protection and without letting me know.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t do it again. I can’t protect you if you ignore my orders.”

  “I’m not a soldier, Murphy.”

  He stiffened, then relaxed, but only slightly. “Just trust me, all right?”

  Sara smiled and pressed closer to him. “Since you put it that way, yes, I will.”

  Murphy’s hand circled her back. It felt good to be in his arms again and she never wanted to let him go. He smelled like the outdoors and soap from his shower. A heady combination. She breathed deeply, wishing more than anything they were alone.

  Her hands burrowed in his hair. He needed a haircut, but she wasn’t complaining. She liked to run her hands through the silky strands. His hard thigh pressed between hers and she drew in a sharp breath. The pressure on the back of her neck increased. She lifted her head to find Murphy staring down at her with heat in his eyes. If they kept this up, he was going to break his own rule. She so wanted that to happen.

  “I’ve missed you,” she murmured.

  His eyes darkened and he scowled. “Nothing has changed, Sara.”

  “I know.”

  He pulled her closer and she rested her cheek on his chest, lulled by the steady beat of his heart. She wanted to stay in his solid, strong arms forever. But she knew a pipe dream when she had one, so she settled for the here and now.

  “Abby is staying with Justine and Paul,” she said.

  He remained silent.

  “I miss her.”

  More silence.

  “I know she’s safe there.”

  “Yes, she is.”

  Sara sighed. She didn’t know why she’d needed Murphy’s reassurance, but it made her feel better. She closed her eyes and let the sway of Murphy’s body lull her into a state of euphoria.

  Murphy distanced himself from her and she sighed heavily.

  When she looked up she found him staring at her with an amused look.

  “Song’s over,” he said.

  “You’re a good dancer.”

  “That surprises you?” he mused.

  She grinned. “As a matter of fact it does. What else do you do that I don’t know about, Murphy?”

  A wicked spark entered his eyes and she wished she hadn’t asked. It only made her want him more and brought the truth of their situation to the surface. It was getting harder and harder to imagine leaving him. He already had her heart.

  “Mind if I cut in?” MaryAnn asked behind them.

  Sara smiled and stepped reluctantly away from Murphy.

  “Not at all. I need a drink anyway.”

  “Thanks. How about it, big brother, wanna take a turn on the dance floor for old time’s sake? See if you still have it?” MaryAnn asked with a devilish grin.

  Sara watched Murphy swing his sister onto the dance floor. She was so in love with this man. Agile and graceful, he fell into step with the other couples as they moved rapidly around the dance floor. It was a big step for him and she couldn’t be prouder. Forcing him to come home under these circumstances wasn’t ideal, but it had turned out well. She hoped someday he forgave her for pushing him too fast.

  In need of fresh air, she slipped out the back door and into the cool night. Taking a deep breath, she moved to the corral and leaned against it to stare into the night. Stars sprinkled the sky and a half moon shone down on her. A perfect night for a party and she’d had a great time. She’d certainly never danced so much in her life. Nor had she enjoyed it so much. Leaving this behind was going to be hard.

  Saddened by the thought, she decided to go back to the house and call it a night instead of returning to the party. She made her way around the barn and headed toward the hill leading to the house. Halfway there, a man spoke in the darkness.

  “Mind if I join you?”

  She stopped and turned to see Gabe move into position beside her. Normally she would have been running for the house and feeling very uncomfortable about being followed, but she didn’t get the urge with Gabe. Not only because he was Murphy’s friend, but because he put her at ease.

  “Sure,” she said, continuing her walk. “That would be nice.”

  He fell into step beside her.

  “Are you turning in for the night?” he asked.

  “I’m beat. I think I’ll take a long bath and go to bed. Are you having a good time?”

  Gabe smiled. “Yeah, I haven’t been to one of Alice’s dances in a long time.”

  “She has a knack, doesn’t she?”

  “Always has. You sure you’re ready to call it a night?”

  They reached the back porch. Sara nodded and smiled. “I am. Thanks for the escort.”

  “Anytime.”

  Sara ran a bath, thinking about Murphy. It made her happy to see him dancing with his sister. Family like his was hard to come by and he needed to hold on to it. She had been close to her mother and missed her terribly. Her mother was the only one in the world who had cared about her. How she missed having someone there.

  Murphy had a caring family who loved
him very much. She hoped he realized how important that was. He’d shut himself off from them, so he got a taste of what it was like to live in isolation. Maybe he would understand how wrong he’d been. She’d lived with the same isolation, only not by choice, and never wanted to go there again. Although one day she would leave here and be back where she’d started.

  After sprinkling in a handful of bath salts, she undressed and lowered herself into the tub. The water soothed tired muscles, but did nothing for her raging hormones. That one dance with Murphy had her stirred up.

  A half-hour later she was still restless and frustrated, so she climbed out of the tub and wrapped herself in a towel. She’d thought she heard Alice come in a little bit ago, but decided she wasn’t in the mood for company. Maybe she would do some drawing before turning in. She was working on a project she wanted to finish before she and Abby moved on. Something for Murphy’s family she hoped would give back some of what Stephen had stolen from them. Although to see them tonight, she would never know they had lost anything in the fire. They had accepted the loss and moved on, not letting it get them down.

  Murphy’s family was strong, and that bond made what Stephen had done null and void. They threw it back in his face. She was proud of them, wished she was more like them. They would overcome any obstacle thrown in their way and do it as a family.

  They hadn’t let Stephen win, and neither would she.

  She walked into her bedroom and stopped when she found the lights off. Hadn’t she left them on?

  When she flipped the switch, nothing happened. She tried it again. Still nothing. The light bulb must have burned out. Having no idea where to find a spare, she dropped her towel and felt her way to the bed where she’d laid out her pajamas. After slipping into her tank and shorts, she climbed across the bed, and laid her head down.

  A faint brush of clothing rustled beside her bed.