Melissa Oxford was twelve years younger than Cary, and they’d never been friends. They’d known each other in passing as children. Nothing had prepared Cary for the gut punch of full-grown attraction he’d experienced the first time Melissa had come back from college in Texas.
She’d left California a leggy teenager overly attached to horses and returned a strong, stunning woman with sandy-brown hair, legs for days, and a defiant smile.
She was also engaged.
It was just as well. Falling for the neighbor girl promised a few too many complications. Cary was happy to become friends with Melissa and Calvin when they moved back to the ranch in Oakville. Cary and Calvin got close, and the latent attraction he felt for Melissa was solidly locked away.
When Calvin’s truck was hit by an eighteen-wheeler ten months ago, Cary and his mom had been devastated. Calvin, Melissa, and their little girl, Abby, were family. Cary’s mother, Rumiko, and Melissa’s mother, Joan, mourned together. Cary had dealt with his grief by offering help, but there was only so much he could do. Melissa was the cattlewoman; Cary grew trees.
And now she was taking fifty acres of their prime grazing land and planting citrus.
“You’re sure about this?” he asked.
She nodded. “Yeah. Mandarins. It’s always been the plan to diversify.”
“Okay. I’m here if you need advice. I don’t know shit about cows, but I can help with the trees.” He debated asking the question, mostly because it was a sore subject for both of them. “How you doing?”
Her daughter Abby’s birthday was coming up.
She shrugged. “I’m fine. Busy. Ready for Abby to start school, that’s for sure.”
Abby was going into kindergarten, the first of many milestones Calvin wouldn’t see. It hurt. And it made Cary angry. “Seriously, Missy—”
“Don’t.” She blinked hard. “I’m fine, Cary. I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Do you talk to anyone?” She didn’t have many friends. He didn’t know if she preferred it that way or she was too consumed with the ranch.
“Sure.” She opened her truck door and hopped in. “I’m talking to you, aren’t I?”
He frowned. “I’m not sure that counts.”
She slammed the truck door shut. “Sure it does.”
“Melissa, don’t—”
“I gotta go.”
She started the truck and the engine drowned out his words.
Stop hiding, he wanted to say.
Let yourself grieve.
Let yourself miss him.
I do.
Five years later…
* * *
“Missy?”
She was at the hospital. She hated the hospital. Disinfectant stung her nose, reminding her of death. Calvin’s death. Her grandfather’s death. Melissa’s eyes scanned the room and she saw him.
He was standing. He wasn’t on a gurney.
Thank you, God.
Her knees nearly gave out with relief. Wait, there was blood all over his shirt. Why was there blood?
“Cary?” Her pulse was pounding; adrenaline coursed through her. “Why are you covered in blood? What happened? Why didn’t you call me?”
“Jeremy is the one who got hurt. He has a compound fracture in his right arm—that’s why there’s blood.”
The rest of his words washed over her.
Jeremy. His rock climbing partner had been hurt, not him. “You’re fine? The blood…?”
“Not mine.”
Not his.
He was fine. He was whole and healthy. She saw his golden-brown arms held out to her, flowers and birds inked over his skin. Drying blood stained his shirt, but his arms were the same.
Strong arms.
Strong hands.
She couldn’t stop the tears. She covered her face. “Oh my God.”
Not his blood. It wasn’t his blood.
“Missy?”
No, don’t call me that. Don’t make me soft. If I give you an inch, I’ll fall apart.
She couldn’t face him. She turned and shot out the door.
Once she was in the fresh air, she lifted her chin, took a deep breath, and tried to stop the tears.
Get it together, Melissa.
What was Cary going to think of her? He probably thought she was an emotional wreck. Or insane. Maybe insane. And maybe hung up on him.
She didn’t have time to be hung up on anyone.
Her legs ate up the sidewalk, heading to the parking garage across from the hospital in Metlin.
“Melissa!”
Shit!
He was taller than her by at least eight inches. His legs were longer. And he was strong. So damn strong. He’d be able to catch up unless she ran, and she was not going to run.
She stopped and turned, wiping the back of her hand across her eyes. “What?”
He nearly ran into her. “You thought I was hurt?”
“Ox didn’t give me details on the phone. He just called and said that you and Jeremy were in a climbing accident. I jumped in the truck and…”
“I’m sorry.”
“Not your fault.” She cleared her throat. “Is Jeremy going to be okay?”
“Yeah, he’ll be okay. Just banged up, and he has to have surgery to sort his arm out.” Cary edged closer and his eyes narrowed. “You thought I was hurt.”
“Don’t…” Her heart started to race again, this time for other reasons. “Climbing accidents can be bad and—”
“You thought I was hurt”—his dark eyes burned into her—“and you drove straight into town.”
“Yes.” Turn and walk away. Just turn and walk—
“You drove thirty miles into town and straight to the hospital because you thought I was hurt.”
“Don’t do this.” She clenched her jaw. “Cary—”
“No, I’m going to do this because this is not the reaction of a woman who told me… what was it? ‘We’re friends, Cary. Don’t let yourself get confused.’ Is that what this is?” He reached for her arm. “You feeling a little confused, Missy?”
She could smell him now, past the scent of hospital disinfectant. The warm, sweet scent of orange blossoms he carried in his skin mixed with pine from the mountains. His strong fingers encircled her wrist. He stepped closer and hooked a finger through her belt loop.
His chest was broad, his shoulders solid muscle. She had to fight the urge to lay her head over his heart. She wanted to hear it beat. Wanted the simple reassurance of his body pressed to hers.
His breath tickled the hair at her temple. “Talk to me.”
She shook her head.
“Then tell me to leave you alone.”
No. Her mind was a jumble of relief and gratitude and need. But she didn’t want him to let go.
“Missy, look at me.”
“Don’t—” She looked up, but his lips stopped any retort she might have mustered.
Oh, fuck it. Reaching up, she grabbed the thick black and silver hair that fell to his shoulders and gave in to years of temptation. She reached behind his neck and gripped. She slid her knee between his legs and pressed her body into him.
He tasted so good. His hand moved from her wrist to grab the small of her back. His fingers curled and dug in; he would probably leave marks. His hands were unbelievably strong.
So good.
Damn, Cary was a good kisser. Way better than she’d ever imagined. It had been six years since she’d kissed anyone, and she didn’t even think about fumbling. His mouth was too demanding. His kiss was too sure.
For a few sweet seconds, all Melissa thought about was the taste of Cary Nakamura’s mouth, the warmth of his hands, how his chest was just as solid as she’d dreamed.
Oh shit, I’m standing on a sidewalk in Metlin.
Melissa broke the kiss and stepped back. “We can’t do this.”
“Fuck that,” he growled. “We already are.”
She shook her head.
“Stop lying to yourself,” he said. �
��What are you so damn afraid of?”
“Afraid?” A bitter laugh burst from her. “Oh… you have no idea.” She turned and started walking back to her truck.
“Fine!” he yelled. “Walk away, but don’t pretend like this is finished, because it’s not.”
You idiot. This never even had a chance to start.
“I know what you’re thinking, Melissa Rhodes. And you’re wrong.”
She didn’t have time to argue with him. Melissa kept walking.
She didn’t have time to kiss a man on the sidewalk.
She didn’t have time to dream about a sweeter life.
She didn’t have time for Cary.
COMING FALL 2019.
Afterword
Dear Readers,
Thanks for returning to Metlin!
As many of you know, the fictional town of Metlin is based on my own hometown in Central California, so writing in this world always feels like coming home. I’m so excited to be working on the next 7th and Main book right now. I’m writing Cary and Melissa’s book, GRIT, and I’m having a great time. It’s funny and emotional, with all the same small-town charm I hope I’ve captured in INK and HOOKED.
GRIT will be out in the Fall of 2019, then I’ll be returning to the Elemental Legacy series for books two and three featuring Ben and Tenzin.
I hope you take the time to sign up for my newsletter or my blog at ElizabethHunterWrites.com to keep up with all the latest news, teasers, and contests happening for my books.
And of course, honest reviews at your favorite retailer are always very welcome and help a writer out!
Thanks for reading,
Elizabeth Hunter
June 4, 2019
Acknowledgments
A lot goes into me being able to write full time, so I’d like to take a moment and thank some of the people who help my homelife function in a semi-normal fashion so I can focus on writing books, which is kind of a consuming process. Since Metlin is based on my hometown and these are people who live and work there, it feels appropriate.
To my sister, Gen, who makes life happen and reminds me to sign books, pay bills, and leave my office occasionally. The Book Which Shall Not Be Named is going to happen. Eventually. And there will be so many doctor jokes.
To my house cleaners, Veronica and Veronica. You are both amazing professionals, and I just want to say I’m so sorry again for the smell that won’t seem to leave my son’s room. He’s fourteen. That’s the only explanation I have.
To Javier and all the guys on your crew, thank you. I know we keep changing things in the garden and the construction went on way longer than we told you. You’re very flexible and it is so appreciated. Also, thanks for keeping the leaf blower noise to the minimum. You’re rock stars of gardening.
To Mike, who is literally the best pool guy on the planet. I hope you can retire some day because you totally deserve it, but know that you are the pool professional all others will be measured against. Also, the dogs might love you more than they love us. What kind of treats are those?
Moving on to the publishing professionals…
I’d like to thank Jenn Beach, my marketing PA, graphic designer, and also my friend. You are a treasure and I am so thankful every day for you. Thank you for always going above and beyond. Sorry for all the middle of the night messages.
To Emily, who has to listen to me being neurotic almost as much as Jenn does. You’re a rock star and I am so grateful for you and all the staff at Social Butterfly PR.
To Jane Dystel and Lauren Abramo, my many thanks for all your years of work, and I’m sorry I’m still so bad at mailing things back to you.
To Anne and Linda at Victory editing, I’d apologize for all the extra commas, but at this point, you know I’m not going to improve, so maybe just try to think of them as job security? You know I will always, always need you.
Thanks to my family, the whole crazy bunch of you. Thanks to all the Imago crew. Thank you to my amazing reader group on Facebook and all the wonderful readers over so many years who have bought, shared, reviewed, and supported my books. I can never thank you enough.
About the Author
ELIZABETH HUNTER is a USA Today and international best-selling author of romance, contemporary fantasy, and paranormal mystery. Based in Central California, she travels extensively to write fantasy fiction that explores world mythologies, history, and the universal bonds of love, friendship, and family. She has published over thirty works of fiction and sold over a million books worldwide. She is the author of Love Stories on 7th and Main, the Elemental Legacy series, the Irin Chronicles, the Cambio Springs Mysteries, and other works of fiction.
Also by Elizabeth Hunter
Contemporary Romance
The Genius and the Muse
7th and Main
INK
HOOKED
GRIT (Fall 2019)
* * *
Linx & Bogie Mysteries
A Ghost in the Glamour
A Bogie in the Boat
* * *
The Elemental Mysteries
A Hidden Fire
This Same Earth
The Force of Wind
A Fall of Water
The Stars Afire
* * *
The Elemental World
Building From Ashes
Waterlocked
Blood and Sand
The Bronze Blade
The Scarlet Deep
A Very Proper Monster
A Stone-Kissed Sea
* * *
The Elemental Legacy
Shadows and Gold
Imitation and Alchemy
Omens and Artifacts
Midnight Labyrinth
Blood Apprentice
The Devil and the Dancer
* * *
The Irin Chronicles
The Scribe
The Singer
The Secret
The Staff and the Blade
The Silent
The Storm
The Seeker
* * *
The Cambio Springs Series
Long Ride Home
Shifting Dreams
Five Mornings
Desert Bound
Waking Hearts
Hooked Page 25
