Chloe laughed. “I can promise you that will not happen.”
“All right.” Storm lit the fire, and then picked Mandy up and sat back down with her curled up on his lap. She was asleep.
Chloe knew she had to tell Storm about her dress and running out on her wedding. Would he understand? No one but she, and David, understood the reasons behind it. Certainly neither of their parents did. But to tell Storm the entire story would take more than just a few minutes, and certainly not in front of a little girl. It would be a long talk for sure and she hated spilling her guts, especially to this sexy man. They didn’t know each other very well after all...only how well the sex had been between them two years ago.
Chapter Three
Two days later, Chloe stood at the back door, peering out. She watched as Storm created a path from the house to the barn with a snow blower. Mandy pushed a chair over to the window and crawled up on it. She got onto her knees and stared outside.
“What is Jimmy doing in the corral?” Chloe muttered, more to herself than Mandy.
“He’s making it so the horses can play outside. Daddy likes them to run around and play.”
Chloe watched Jimmy clearing the corral with another snow blower. Storm made a path to the barn, turned around, and headed back toward the house.
“Who watched you before me?” She glanced at Mandy.
“Claire did. I went to her house while Daddy worked.”
“Oh. I bet she misses you then,” Chloe said.
Mandy nodded. “I bet.”
Chloe covered her laugh with a cough. The little girl was so adorable and she could wrap her big daddy around her little finger. Chloe had seen it plenty over the past two days. There wasn’t much Mandy couldn’t do and get away with where her father was concerned. Even after her father had scolded her the other day for going outside, she still pushed the limit. Storm spoiled the little girl, just as good daddies should. Chloe felt a deep sadness cover her. Her father never spoiled her. All he cared about was getting her married off to David. Look where that got him. A daughter who ran away and a future son in-law married to someone else. Chloe shook her head. Her parents never should have been parents. All they cared about was their money and making more.
Chloe sighed as she watched Storm heading into the barn.
“Do you think your daddy would get angry with us if we went out to the barn?”
Mandy’s eyes widened. “Not as long as you hold my hand.”
Chloe smiled. “Okay then...let’s get our coats on and go out there.” Thank God, she’d packed to visit Aspen, Colorado and not the Bahamas like they’d first planned for a honeymoon.
Chloe and Mandy put on their coats, mittens, boots, and hats and headed out the door. Chloe took Mandy’s hand in hers, but had to hold on to the railing because the sun was so bright bouncing off the snow that she could barely see. They walked the path Storm had made. Just as they got close to the barn, Storm stepped outside and Chloe groaned. Mandy let go of her hand and ran to him. He picked her up and tossed her into the air making the little girl squeal with delight.
“He could toss me anywhere,” Chloe murmured under her breath. “Preferably onto a bed.”
Storm looked at her and raised an eyebrow. “Did you say something?”
It took every ounce of willpower not to turn and run back to the house. She shook her head. “Nope.”
Storm didn’t look like he believed her, but he shrugged. “What are you two beautiful girls doing out in this cold?”
He thinks I’m beautiful. Chloe mentally shook her head. “It’s all right, isn’t it?”
“Sure. As long as Mandy isn’t out here alone, it’s fine.”
Chloe gasped as she saw the horses running around in the corral. They were beautiful. She walked to the corral and after wiping the snow off the top rail, she laid her arms along the top. Storm stepped up beside her. She glanced over to him then back to the horses.
“They’re gorgeous,” she said in awe.
“Thank you.”
“That’s Daddy’s horse, Dream Catcher.” Mandy pointed at a beautiful black horse with a white blaze down its face—the only spot of white on the animal. As they watched, the horse trotted over to them and put his head over the rail to butt against Storm’s chest.
“Hey, buddy,” Storm murmured.
Chloe had to glance away before she butted her head against him to hear him murmur to her in that deep, quiet voice. She really needed to get out of here before she did something stupid with him. Again.
“He’s magnificent.” And she didn’t just mean the horse.
“He’s a baby. Aren’t you, boy?” Storm rubbed the horse’s neck. When the horse bobbed his head up and down, they all laughed.
“Chloe,” Jimmy said from behind them. She spun around and smiled. He stood grinning with his arm around a very pretty woman. “This is my wife, Claire. Honey, this is Chloe Baxter.”
Chloe stepped forward and put her hand out. Claire shook it. “It’s nice to meet you, Claire.”
“You too, Chloe.” Claire smiled back at her.
Chloe liked her immediately. Mandy ran to them, wrapped her arms around Claire’s legs, and gazed up at her. Claire laughed and picked her up.
“Hi there, Mandy Pandy,” Claire said making Mandy giggle.
“Daddy, when can we get our tree?”
“The day after Thanksgiving, you know that.” Chloe felt Storm behind her but refused to turn around.
“Can Chloe go?”
“Of course. I already said she could...that is, if she wants to.” Storm stepped up beside her and looked at her. “Do you want to go?”
“I don’t ride.”
“No problem, I’ll put you on the gentlest horse I have.”
Chloe stared up at him and almost got lost in those gorgeous dark eyes as they stared at each other. Finally, Jimmy cleared his throat. Chloe saw Storm frown. She tore her eyes away from him and smiled at Mandy. “I suppose I could go.”
“Yay!” Mandy jumped down from Claire and put her hands up to Chloe. She happily picked her up and hugged her.
“Looks like I’ve been replaced,” Claire teased.
“Oh, Claire, I don’t think so. I’m just new to her.”
Claire just smiled at her then kissed Jimmy on his cheek and after saying goodbye, she headed home. Jimmy watched as she disappeared around the barn.
“How long have you two been married, Jimmy?” Chloe asked.
“Twenty-five years this past August.”
“Twenty-five years?” Chloe was shocked. Storm and Jimmy chuckled.
“Yes, I know I look a lot older than her, but I’m only six years older. I’m fifty-six. I’ve just been on this damn ranch for so long and worked in all kinds of weather, I look older.” Jimmy laughed.
Chloe chuckled. “You don’t look old, Jimmy. Not at all, it’s just Claire looks great for her age.”
Jimmy burst out laughing and looked at Storm. “I like her. I’ll see you later, boss.”
Chloe watched as he headed into the barn and then she turned to Storm who was staring at her. “What?” she asked.
“Nothing. Come on, let’s go in.” He began walking to the house with Mandy running to take his hand. Chloe followed along behind.
STORM BENT DOWN AND picked Mandy up, her little arms wrapping around his neck and her head resting on his shoulder. He kissed the top of her head and entered the house. Setting her down, he took his hat and coat off then hung them up. Chloe followed them inside and seemed to hesitate but finally took off her coat, mittens, and hat. He crouched down and unbuttoned Mandy’s coat and took it off her. She pulled off her mittens and hat. Then she ran to the living room. Storm sighed.
“She really is a bundle of energy,” Chloe said from behind him.
He turned to face her. “Yes. But one of the good things about that is she wears herself out every day and goes right to bed when it’s time.” He stepped closer to her. “Your cheeks are red from the cold.”
He reached out to touch her cheek but before he did, he dropped his arm. Chloe stared up at him but she didn’t step away from him. He shook his head.
“Not a good idea,” he murmured.
“No. It’s not,” she whispered.
“Then why do I want to do it anyway?” Unable to stop himself, Storm stepped closer yet, wrapped his hand around the nape of her neck, and lowered his face to hers. When she lifted hers up to his, Storm slowly pressed his lips to hers and groaned. When she opened for him, he growled deep in his throat.
Her arms moved around his neck as he moved his hands to her hips, pulling her against him, and then moved his hands around to her butt and squeezed. The moan that tore from her had him deepening the kiss. He moved his tongue into her mouth slowly and in response, she moved hers against it. When her fingers sifted through his hair, he slowly lifted his mouth from hers and stepped back. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“I was right there with you, Storm,” she said as she looked up at him.
“I still shouldn’t have kissed you...”
“It was just a kiss...”
Storm smirked. “Was it? I remember what happened the last time we kissed.” He stared at her remembering just how it went last time and when his body began to beg for a repeat performance, he huffed. “I need to check on Mandy.”
He strode from the kitchen and entered the living room to find Mandy asleep on the sofa with Boo in her arms. He smiled as he gazed down at her. She was the main reason he couldn’t get involved with someone. He refused to allow anyone else hurt his little girl. Mandy knew her mother had left her, and to have her get attached to someone who might leave her again was not going to happen. Not if he had anything to do with it.
Leaning down, he scooped her up then carried her to her bedroom. Once he laid her on her bed, he pulled the blanket over her, and before he left her room, he pressed a kiss to her soft forehead. After closing her door, he headed to his office. He had work to do and the more time he spent away from Chloe, the less he’d want her. He grunted. Yeah, right.
Storm moved to his seat behind the big cherry desk and booted up the computer. Although the weather was bad, he still had sales to complete. There were quite a few people wanting horses for Christmas. His horses weren’t cheap and he made a lot of money breeding and selling the beautiful horses. His horses sold across the states and he raised, and sold, the best Arabians. He made money through sales and stud fees. Dream Catcher was the most sought after Arabian stud in the country. His horses have sold for up to fifty thousand dollars with stud fees up to two thousand dollars. If he had repeat customers, they received discounts.
An hour later, he leaned back in the wingback chair and rubbed his eyes. He’d stared at the screen for too long. His stomach rumbled and he realized he smelled food cooking. He stood and headed to the kitchen halting in the doorway when he saw Chloe standing at the stove cooking.
“That smells fantastic,” he said leaning against the doorframe. She spun around and grinned.
“Did I forget to mention I can cook?”
Storm pushed himself away from the door and walked to her. “Yes, you did. I’ve cooked the past two nights and you didn’t say a word.”
“I think I’ve been imposing long enough. I love to cook. Not only do I own Zellene’s, my grandmother taught me how to cook too. I didn’t think you’d mind if I took over the kitchen.”
“I don’t mind at all.” He tried to peer around her. “What are you making?”
“I’m just going to grill steaks with onions and mushrooms. I’m sautéing them now. I love the built-in grill. I’m going to make some stuffed potato skins too,” Chloe told him with a glance.
“Sounds great. How long before it’ll be ready?”
“How do you like your steak? I haven’t put them on yet.”
“Medium rare. I’m going to take a quick shower and then I’ll get Mandy up. Will that work?”
“Yes. I found a thin steak for her. Is that all right?”
Storm nodded. “Yes. I buy the thin ones for her. I’ll be back in a few minutes. Thank you for doing this, Chloe.” Leaving the kitchen, he shook his head...he needed to keep his distance.
He headed to his bedroom to shower. Walking into his bedroom, he entered the bathroom and stripped. He turned the water on and stepped in. His muscles were a little sore from using the snow blower, so he turned the water on as hot as he could stand it. He groaned when the hot water hit the back of his shoulders. It was too bad Chloe couldn’t be in here with him. His cock twitched and he shook his head. Not the thoughts to be having right now...or ever. He couldn’t have her. Then again...why not? It wouldn’t be the first time. He knew she was interested in him. She had to be by the way she’d kissed him back, and by what happened two years ago. He groaned thinking about that night. It’d been hot and he wanted her again then and now. He swore as his cock hardened. He needed a woman and there was a beautiful one staying in his home. Sarah had called him and he told her he’d be in to see her as soon as the weather cleared, only right now she wasn’t the one he wanted to have in his bed.
CHLOE BUSIED HERSELF putting the steaks on the grill and fixing the potatoes. Anything to keep her mind off the singular thought of Storm naked in the shower. She mentally groaned thinking of water sluicing down over his hard body. He was a big man and she knew that for a fact. To start thinking of him in that capacity was going to do her in. Slowly. He was, without a doubt, the sexiest man she’d ever set eyes on, and when he kissed her earlier...
Dear God! She’d almost pulled him to the floor. The man definitely knew how to kiss. She had to admit she was happy to see he hadn’t remarried. She had to wonder why though since he was thirty-three and had a daughter who could use a woman in her life. Was he still in love with his wife? Why did that thought hurt so much?
It hurts because you have feelings for him. You’ve always had feelings for him, almost since the first time you saw him.
She wanted to do her part and work while she was here. On his ranch. With him and Mandy. She didn’t want to stay here and not repay him somehow. He’d saved her life, after all. How, though? The answer came to her as she lifted the steaks from the grill. She turned to Storm when she heard him enter the kitchen.
“Is Mandy up?” she asked.
“Not yet. I’ll get her in a minute.” He sighed. “Chloe about what happened—”
“I want to work while I’m here,” she blurted out, interrupting his attempt to address the kiss that probably shouldn’t have happened.
“What?” He frowned at her.
“I mean, I want to work as a cook for you and Mandy while I’m stuck here. A cook, housekeeper, and nanny...anything else I can do to help out.”
“Why? If it’s because we kissed—”
“It’s not. Honestly, Storm. I need to do something while I’m here or I’ll go nuts. You rescued me and I need to repay you for that. I could have died out there.”
“You don’t have to do that though.”
“Let’s just try it. I’m stuck here anyway. Why not just let me cook, clean, and watch Mandy for you?”
Storm blew out a breath. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt—”
“Great! Now, go get Mandy and we’ll eat. Dinner’s ready.” Chloe turned away from him and placed the steaks on plates then set them on the table. She sighed when he left the room but then grinned. She’d won that round.
When he entered the kitchen again, he was carrying Mandy. Her little head was on his shoulder. He had a worried look on his face.
“She says she doesn’t feel good, and she does feel a little warm to me.”
Chloe moved to him and put the back of her hand against Mandy’s forehead. “She does feel a little warm. Do you have a thermometer?”
“Yes,” he said. “Can you hold her while I get it?” When she held out her hands, he handed Mandy to her.
“Come here, Mandy Pandy. We’ll sit down here for a minute.” Chloe pulled out a
chair from the table and sat down with Mandy on her lap.
“You call me Mandy Pandy too?” the little girl whispered.
Chloe smiled. “If you don’t mind.”
Mandy shook her head. “I don’t feel good.” Suddenly, she placed her hands over her mouth.
Chloe jumped up. “Oh dear! Hold on, honey,” she told her as she ran to the bathroom passing Storm in the hallway. “She’s sick!”
Chloe got her to the toilet in time, and lifted the lid just as Mandy vomited. Chloe glanced up at Storm. “Poor little girl.”
Storm nodded, a concerned furrow dipping his dark brows. “I hate it when she’s sick.”
Once Mandy was over being sick, Chloe wiped her little face with a damp cloth then pulled her into her arms, stood and walked to Storm. She handed Mandy off to him. “She probably wants you more than me.”
Storm nodded, taking Mandy into his arms and held her. Chloe could hear him murmuring to the little girl as she walked to the kitchen. She wasn’t sure what to do now but she had certainly lost her appetite. She didn’t know if Storm would feel like eating or not either. He seemed so concerned for his little girl. Of course, he was. He loved Mandy and any good father would be upset when his child was sick. Chloe finished cleaning up the kitchen and headed back to the bathroom. Glancing in, she saw it was empty.
“Storm?” she said softly.
“In here,” he called out from Mandy’s room.
Chloe stood in the doorway and her heart ached watching him as he sat on the side of Mandy’s bed brushing her damp hair back from her face. Mandy stared up at him with adoration in her eyes. Chloe knew how she felt.
“Is she all right?” Chloe asked softly.
Storm nodded. “She does have a temperature of a hundred and one point two though. I gave her some baby aspirin. I think she just needs to sleep. She can barely keep her eyes open.” He didn’t take his eyes off his daughter as he spoke.
“I’m sleepy, Daddy.”
“Go to sleep, baby. You just call out for me and I’ll be right back in here,” Storm whispered.
Storm Page 4
