Daring the Pilot (Men of Marietta Book 3)

by Jeannie Moon

  “You’re such a good man,” she said hoarsely. “Thank you for listening. For understanding.”

  Pulling her back into his arms, Jonah let his actions speak for him. He wanted her to feel safe. Protected. That seemed to be enough, because her body relaxed into his. Before long, he heard a little rumble. She was out. Sound asleep and snoring. The puppy curled against Keely’s legs and promptly fell asleep as well.

  Jonah never thought about marriage, but when he did, this is what he imagined. He thought a life with someone shouldn’t just be about overt displays, but quiet moments where you could be yourself. For better or worse.

  They stayed that way for a good hour, with him leaving the movie and watching the end of the hockey game. When Zero nudged his hand, Jonah knew it was late, and time for him to go out.

  With the dog cared for, he took a long look at the woman on the couch.

  He could wake her and let her go home, or bring her to his room, and enjoy the feel of a warm, soft woman in his bed. They’d both probably sleep better.

  The decision wasn’t hard. She’d come to him for a reason, and if Keely wanted to head home later, he’d make sure she got there safely.

  But for now, he was taking her to bed.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jonah had gone for his waxing appointment, and when Keely talked to him on the phone after, he let loose with a string of profanity that would make a sailor blush. With his work schedule being rearranged so they could do the photo shoot in good weather, she’d barely seen him.

  Part of her wondered if her telling Jonah she loved him had unnerved him more than he let on. Between her declaration and all the baggage she dumped at his feet, she wouldn’t be surprised. It threw her for a loop, too. Never in a million years did she think coming home would give her the one thing she never thought she’d find. The night she’d spent at his house had been so wonderful. Quiet and secure, she woke up with the sun, with Jonah’s body nestled securely behind hers.

  That’s what she wanted. To feel safe and secure without being handled. There was nothing better in the world—and she should know, she’d been looking.

  Her parents had been mum on where she went that night. Either they didn’t want to know or they sensed asking would be a bad idea. Gabe had been around sporadically, coming and going, using the house as his base of operation. No one really knew what he was up to, but Mom and Dad liked having him at home. Keely wasn’t sure what she felt.

  Mal had been in and out over the last few weeks, taking a ten-day jaunt through Yellowstone by himself. The man was a master tracker and rock climber, and he often went into the woods alone and came out weeks later with more photos and stories than anyone she’d ever met.

  Right then, he was sitting on the floor of her office, entering information into a research journal.

  Keely was looking at the new sensor data that had come in that morning. She’d gone into the mountains a few days before when she saw signs the ground was thawing enough that she could plant her devices. She’d gone alone, even though Jonah wasn’t happy about it.

  She’d seen signs that a person was indeed up there, and she’d gone looking around, but if Keely had learned anything, it was that the person didn’t want to be found.

  “Your toys are getting quite a workout,” Mal said, glancing over.

  Keely had managed to get her hands on ten prototype seismic sensors. They were small, wireless and sent the data straight to her phone or computer. They were the coolest things ever and working great. “There was a little quake this morning. About 1.2. I doubt anyone even felt it.”

  “More than likely.” Putting his laptop aside, Mal caught her staring out the window. Things were not going the way she thought they would, and he was the friend she needed right now. “So how’s your flyboy?”

  Because he never minced words.

  “Okay. I haven’t seen him much. But he’s doing his photo shoot today, and asked me to be there so Charlie didn’t do anything crazy.”

  “That English chick is the BOMB. And did you meet her sister, Emily? I mean I kinda love her parents. Charlotte and Emily?”

  Keely hadn’t mentioned the Bronte connection to the two women, but she was sure half the town had.

  “Want to go with me?”

  “To the shoot? I can’t. I have a meeting with my buddy. I’m thinking about climbing Devil’s Tower.”

  Devil’s Tower was a large sandstone butte that rose above a river in a corner of Wyoming. It was a treacherous climb and she didn’t know how Mal hadn’t done it before considering his love of death-defying feats. “I’m surprised it took you so long to find someone.”

  He smiled and winked. “How did the waxing go? I heard there was much colorful language.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Clara, the darling little receptionist who works there, said mothers were hustling their children out of the shop. Your flyboy has a potty mouth.”

  How he’d heard that when he’d only been back in town since yesterday was beyond her, but Mal had a way of getting people to talk to him. He probably knew more about the goings on in Marietta than Keely did.

  Keely imagined seeing big, bad Jonah Clark walk into Main Street Style was quite a treat for anyone there for a color or a blowout. But that was probably the only pleasant thing about his visit. He may have had All-American boy good looks, but his perpetual scruff and the dark aviator sunglasses he always wore made him look very dangerous.

  Keely could vouch for that. He was proving to be very dangerous to her heart.

  “You look happy, my friend. A little nervous, but happy. The sexy times with the flyboy are agreeing with you.”

  Keely missed her sexy times. She wanted nothing more than to spend an entire day in bed with Jonah. At this point she didn’t know when that was going to happen.

  He was a good man, and he obviously cared for her. But she was starting to wonder if they could make it work. She was willing, and ready to make changes.

  “You want to tell me what’s going on in that head of yours?”

  “Well, golly. I don’t know.”

  “Don’t be fresh.”

  “I love him. I’m sure of it. But I don’t know if it’s in the cards. And then…”

  “What?”

  “I’ve just been thinking about… how I really should go on the pill, but I…” She hadn’t told anyone about what she suspected. Mal would be the first.

  “But what?”

  “I’m worried I might be pregnant.” Just saying it freaked her out a little.

  “What? Oh. My. God. You… why?”

  “Broken condom,” she whispered. “And I’m late. Just a day, but I’m never late.”

  “Oh, man. So you’re not sure yet?”

  “I have to take a test. But it’s possible. And I don’t think he wants kids.”

  Mal walked to her and sat on the edge of her desk. “And what about you?”

  “I didn’t think I was ready, but now… it’s grown on me. I think I would be disappointed if I wasn’t.”

  “Oh, sweetheart. I’m sorry. What has Jonah said?”

  “That we’ll ‘deal’ with it if it happens. Deal with it. And I haven’t seen him since last week. Everything seemed okay, and he’s talking to me, but… I don’t know. I dumped a lot of baggage on him.”

  She took a deep breath so she wouldn’t cry. God knew she’d cried more since she’d been home than she had in the past ten years.

  “A baby would change everything. I wouldn’t be able to continue my travels or my research in the same way.”

  “No, but you could have a great life teaching and writing. You could still do research. You’re in a geological hot spot.”

  “I know. But do I want to stay here if Jonah doesn’t want me?”

  “If he doesn’t want you, and you want to stay… fuck him. He can leave.” Mal minced no words.

  This was all hypothetical of course. A hypothetical baby. A hypothetical rejection. A hypothetical f
urious best friend. Her mind was running away with itself and she had to stop.

  “I’m getting ahead of myself.” The window near her desk faced the front yard, which went for almost a quarter mile until it hit the street. Her parents only had five acres, small by some standards, but they didn’t need what breeders and ranchers needed. The space they had housed the horses and a nice garden without any trouble. It also had a guest house at the rear of the property. It was run down, and needed lots of work, but if she needed a place for herself and her hypothetical baby… it had potential.

  Chances were she wasn’t pregnant, and the stress of wondering was messing with her cycle. But the fact that she wanted to be, that she was making plans, was one more sign that she was ready to change course.

  She wasn’t Malcolm. She didn’t need to be moving all the time. It was exhausting and she was tired of it.

  But she didn’t need a baby to make a change. She could do it all on her own.

  Her phone beeped and she looked to find a text from Jonah.

  Thinking about you. When can I see you alone?

  Keely giggled. That was the best message of the day. Maybe after your photo shoot, Flyboy. After you meet your adoring masses.

  Stop.

  Make me.

  That did it, her phone rang. “Hello?”

  “Make me?” he teased.

  “Well, it got you to call.” The playful banter was just what she needed to take her mind off her dilemma.

  “I’m sorry, it’s been crazy. There’s a lot of publicity going on with the calendar, and a big event… I don’t know. Charlie posted headshots the other day on a social media site and it exploded. There are thousands of preorders.”

  “Seriously? That’s great! Oh, Jonah. You guys are amazing. It’s going to be so good for the kids in town.”

  “I know. I had my doubts, but it’s a good idea. Once they get my shots done, the first run is off to the printer.”

  “I can’t wait to see the shoot.” She smiled into the phone. “It sounds like you’re providing great theater.”

  “I’m going to fly my helo in and land in that big meadow by the cave. She’s going to start shooting as soon as I’m close.”

  “Wow.”

  He got quiet. “I miss you. See you soon.”

  “I miss you too. I’ll see you later.”

  She was just about to end the call when she heard his voice again.

  “Keely?”

  “Yeah?”

  She could hear him hesitate. “I know it’s out of your way, but could you pick up Zero and bring him to the shoot?”

  The puppy at the photo shoot? “Really?”

  “Charlotte thinks that a half-naked man with a puppy could be attractive.”

  “Uh, yeah. Charlotte is my hero. I’m going to get that poster sized.”

  “Cut it out. You’ll pick him up?”

  “Sure.”

  “He’s with my mother. At the main house.”

  His mother. Who told her mother about them sleeping together. Who gave her the third degree. Dammit. “Okay. She has a leash and a carrier?”

  “Yes. I told her if you came for the dog, to please not talk too much.”

  “Jonah, your mother is who she is. I’ll get the dog. Tell her I should be there around two.”

  “Okay, thanks. Keel?”

  “Yes?”

  He was silent. “Never mind. I’ll tell you when I see you.”

  When she ended the call, Keely turned to see Malcolm grinning at her.

  “All better with flyboy?” he asked.

  Feeling a bit of relief, Keely nodded. “For now.”

  *

  A little before two, she pulled her truck down the ranch road and parked next to the big farmhouse where the Clarks had raised their five sons. Apparently, boys ran in the family. Jonah’s father was one of six boys and his grandfather was one of seven.

  Seven. Boys. Keely let that sink in for a while.

  The ranch was beautiful. Keely made a slow circle, taking it all in. The spread covered hundreds of acres and the Clarks kept most of the area as a preserve. Set in the foothills of the Absaroka range, the house was the centerpiece. The grand Victorian, with tall windows and gingerbread trim, was built during Marietta’s heyday in the late 1800s.

  Pristine white clapboard with deep red shutters and doors, the most stunning feature was the wrap around porch. She could already see where pots of flowers were going to adorn the corners and brighten the entire space. Taking in the rest of the property, it seemed the grassy paddocks went on forever. Fences crisscrossed the landscape and horses grazed in the pastures. It was serene. Perfect.

  To her right were the barns, big airy structures which were fancier than some houses in the valley. The buildings housed thirty of the Clarks’ prize Quarter Horse stock, and a select number of boarders. Dan Clark, who was a champion barrel racer, gave lessons to local kids who wanted to learn from the best.

  Just as she was about to mount the steps to the front door, she heard yaps from around back. Walking past what she assumed was going to be his mother’s kitchen garden, Keely steeled herself for her visit.

  As she got to the rear of the house, she saw Mrs. Clark playing fetch with Zero, but when the puppy caught sight of Keely, the game was forgotten.

  Zero raced over and leaped at her, a bundle of wiggling energy. Squatting down, Keely accepted the puppy’s affectionate greeting. Christine Clark stood back and watched. Very warily.

  “Hi, Mrs. Clark.”

  “Keely. Nice to see you again.” Was it? His mother certainly didn’t seem so sure about it.

  “Yes, ma’am. You too.” Picking up the dog, she approached the very suspicious woman.

  “Jonah said you have a leash and carrier?”

  She nodded, still looking Keely over. “In the house. Come on.”

  Keely followed, Zero still in her arms and licking her chin.

  There was never any doubt in Keely’s mind that her mother’s kitchen was unsurpassed. That was until she saw the farmhouse kitchen at the Clark Ranch.

  It was beautiful, with white cabinets on every wall, and a large island with a butcher-block top. She guessed a lot of love went into the food made here. For all its old charm, the corner had a desk with a computer, a tablet, and what looked to be account books.

  “This is spectacular.”

  “Oh, thank you. It was redone five years ago. Before that, I think some of my cabinets were from when the house was built. It was a mess. Functional, but a mess. Your dad did all the cabinets. He was very patient with me. The man is an artist.”

  “Yes, he is, and he has the patience of a saint. He’ll be glad to know you’re so happy with it.” Going to a small room off the kitchen, his mother returned with everything she needed.

  “Puppy just relieved himself, so you should be good for a while. Apparently, he’s a daredevil in the car. He loves open windows, so keep him in the carrier.” She paused to show Keely the leash. “The leash has a harness attached. He’s less likely to slip it.”

  “Got it. Thank you.”

  “I think that’s it. He’s had lunch. He’s a good little boy. A little rambunctious, but boys are. You’ll find out soon enough.”

  Soon enough?

  She was sure the statement meant nothing—she hoped, anyway—but the way it was said left Keely wondering. She couldn’t imagine Jonah saying anything about the pregnancy worry, but it was too coincidental. Soon enough… it echoed in her head.

  “Ma’am?”

  “I meant someday. In the future. You’re young.”

  That was true. Keely was young and had plenty of time for babies, but there were also lots of women her age who were moms already. It wasn’t out of the question.

  Talk about getting ahead of herself. It was time to get back to the task at hand. Gently putting the pup in the carrier, she shut the door. And smiled at the woman who was staring at her like she was stealing the crown jewels.

  “Is so
mething wrong, Mrs. Clark?”

  “Oh, no. No. Jonah just told me… never mind.”

  “Not to be too chatty? Don’t listen to him.”

  His mother’s eyes opened wide.

  Keely shrugged off her shock. “He told me what he said. Don’t listen to him.”

  “I don’t want to embarrass you. Two weeks ago, when you were at Jonah’s, I should have left, but… this is the first time with Jonah. He never brought a girl home, the kid was always so secretive.”

  “That’s because he was friends with my brother.” Keely murmured the words under her breath, but she meant every one.

  “Excuse me?” his mother asked.

  “Never mind. You don’t disapprove? Of me?”

  The surprise that washed across his mother’s face told Keely she might have gotten it all wrong.

  “Disapprove? Of you? Oh, my goodness… no! I’m thrilled. I just worry. I always do.”

  “I guess that’s your job.” A mother, it seemed, never stopped worrying. “You and my mother can compare notes.”

  That was a relief. Keely was certain Jonah’s mother was scandalized when she turned up in his house that morning. It turns out, she was relieved.

  The more you know.

  “I’d better get going. Thank you.”

  “Keely, be patient with him. Jonahdoesn’t share easily. He’s the most sensitive of all the boys, but he won’t let on. It’s that whole macho male thing.”

  Nodding, Keely wasn’t about to give up any of Jonah’s secrets, but she wanted his mother to know she understood. “I think we both need patience. It’s still new.”

  She seemed to understand, and the light in her eyes showed acceptance, rather than wariness.

  “Of course. Thank you for bringing the dog. I could have gone up myself, but I have a problem with the idea that my son is calendar worthy.”

  He was most definitely calendar worthy. And Keely couldn’t wait to get up there.

  Chapter Fourteen

  There was a crowd.

  A really big crowd, and Jonah was not going to be happy. Keely, on the other hand was tickled. He deserved a little ribbing for all his stalling. It looked like most of the guys from the calendar had decided to come up and give their buddy a hard time. In the end, though, Jonah was all in, and he had the helicopter and the puppy to prove it.