by Lara Lacombe
But how could he save her without provoking the snakes? If he walked up behind her to pull her back, the animals would likely see him coming and feel the vibrations of his approach, making them even more agitated.
He eyed the desk, an idea forming as his mind raced. It was crazy, but it just might work. Besides, he didn’t exactly have a ton of workable options...
Moving carefully, Thorne toed off his boots and set them aside. Then he began to creep closer to the desk, walking as softly as he could.
Maggie’s eyes went wide. “What are you doing?” she whispered.
Thorne put a finger to his lips and stopped in front of the desk. This part was going to be tricky. If he jarred the desk at all, the snakes would strike.
He held his breath as he climbed on top of the desk, wobbling a bit as he gained his balance on the slick wooden surface. He crouched in front of Maggie and met her gaze, the panic in her blue eyes hitting him like a blow to the chest. “I need you to lift your arms,” he said softly.
“What?”
“Lift your arms,” he repeated. “Slowly.”
“I—I don’t think I can move,” she stammered.
“It’s okay. Just take a breath and try to relax. You can do this.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I think it’s better if I just show you,” he said. The rattling hadn’t stopped—the hidden snakes were clearly unhappy with the situation. If something didn’t change soon, there would be trouble.
“Please, Maggie,” he said, injecting some of the urgency he felt into his voice. “Trust me.”
She stared up at him, her fear so intense he could practically feel it hanging between them like a thick, greasy fog. After an endless moment she raised her arms, reaching up to him. Her face was lined with uncertainty but her movements were determined. He felt a rush of gratitude for her faith in him—even though she didn’t know exactly what he had planned, she was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
“I’m going to count to three,” he said. She nodded, her eyes never leaving his.
Thorne took a deep breath, tensing his muscles in preparation. “One... Two...” On three, he grabbed her under the arms and stood, pulling her out of the chair in one smooth motion. Maggie gasped and grabbed on to his shoulders, her hold desperate. He pivoted to the side to set her feet on the desktop, sliding his hands to her lower back to anchor her in place.
They turned and looked down in time to see a flash of brown as one of the snakes lunged forward. It retreated just as quickly, sliding back under the relative security of the desk. The dry, rattling hum continued though, a visceral reminder that they were still in danger.
Maggie shivered against him. “Are you hurt?” he asked. “Were you bitten?”
She shook her head. “No. At least I don’t think so.”
Thorne frowned. Given all the adrenaline in their systems, it was possible she’d been hit and just didn’t know it yet. He’d feel better once they were out of here, with the snakes safely contained on the other side of Mac’s heavy office door.
He slid down, landing on the front side of the desk. A shiver ran through him at the thought of the snakes lying coiled behind the wood front piece. He knew it was a solid barrier, but it was still too close for comfort.
Thorne reached up and lifted Maggie down from the desk, and the pair of them wasted no time rushing from the office. He shut the door behind them with a heavy thunk, and didn’t stop moving until he and Maggie were back at the stairs that led up to his apartment.
He guided her down and knelt in front of her, his hands tugging up the ankles of her pants so he could see her legs. He had to see for himself that she was whole and unharmed. Without saying a word, he stripped her shoes and socks off and pushed the hems of her pant legs to her knees, his eyes scanning for bite marks and his hands running over her feet, her ankles and up her calves as he felt for any wetness that might indicate blood from a bite.
“Thorne,” she said, squirming a bit under his examination. “Thorne, I’m fine!”
He heard her voice, but the words didn’t register. He couldn’t stop until he’d examined every inch of her legs and knew for certain she was fine. If she’d been hurt, he’d never forgive himself... And the baby—oh, God, what if he’d hurt the baby when he’d yanked her out of the chair?
Maggie’s hands landed on his, stilling him. “Thorne,” she said firmly. He looked up into her blue eyes, which were now full of determination and showed no hint of her earlier fear. The wild feeling in his chest calmed to see her so poised, and he nodded.
“I’m fine,” she repeated. Her hand fluttered to her belly. “We both are.”
He rocked back on his heels and sucked in a deep breath, trying to expel the remainder of his tension on the exhale. He lowered his head, focusing on the ground. His socked feet looked absurd against the dark floor, and he belatedly remembered his boots, waiting patiently in Mac’s office. They’ll have to wait a bit longer, he thought wryly, unwilling to go back inside while the snakes were still loose.
Something touched the back of his head, a gentle, almost inquisitive brush. A second later, Maggie’s hand cupped the curve of his skull, her skin soft and cool. Without stopping to think, Thorne leaned forward until his forehead rested on her knees. Her fingers stroked him gently, each touch a reminder that she was safe and the baby was fine. Gradually, his heart calmed and the tight band of fear around his chest relaxed enough that he could breathe without struggling.
As his system returned to normal, Thorne’s awareness of Maggie grew. The muscles of her calves were solid and strong under his hands, her skin smooth and soft against his work-roughened palms. He breathed in her scent, the warm perfume of her vanilla-coconut soap mingling with the sweet smell of hay and horses. It was an intoxicating combination and he tightened his grip on her legs before he could think better of it.
Maggie let out a soft “oof” in response, and her hand tightened on the back of his neck, holding him in place. Her fingernails scraped lightly against his skin, sending a shiver down his spine. His heart began to pound again, but this time, he wasn’t looking for an escape.
Thorne released her legs and reached up to thread his arms around her hips. Before he could think twice, he kissed her, pouring all his anguish and relief into the connection between them. His blood raced at the feel of her lips, and he surrendered to the moment, slipping free from the leash he'd put on his desire for her.
He'd spent many a moment reliving their night together, remembering the exquisite pressure of her mouth against his own. But the reality was far more impressive, and his awareness of his surroundings faded as he and Maggie shared a breath.
She hummed softly, and her gentle sound of contentment made his heart soar. He could have stayed like this forever, but the rumble of an engine in the door yard reminded him they were not alone.
Maggie probably wouldn't appreciate being caught in a kiss with him, so he leaned back, breaking their connection. Then he pulled her forward, rearranging their bodies until he could rest his head against her lower belly. He might not be able to keep kissing her, but that didn't mean he had to completely disconnect from her. She was warm and soft, blessedly whole and unharmed. If he could, he would stretch out to cover her and the baby, intercepting any threats before they had a chance to do harm.
Maggie cradled his head in her lap, her hand moving from his neck to between his shoulders with smooth, steady strokes. Part of him marveled that she was allowing him to touch her—after the way he’d treated her, he hadn’t expected her to let him get this close ever again. She must have truly forgiven him, and the realization both humbled and thrilled him.
Time seemed to stop as he held Maggie close and was embraced by her in return. But he couldn’t ignore the dangerous reality she faced for much longer. Someone had planted those s
nakes in Mac’s office—he was sure of it. Rattlesnakes did not simply appear out of thin air. They were surprisingly shy animals who would never deliberately seek out the busy environs of the stables. They had been left there to wreak havoc on an unsuspecting victim, the unwitting agents of a treacherous assault.
It was almost the perfect crime, a devious act that was exactly the kind of thing Livia would enjoy. Even though the police thought she was in Las Vegas right now, Thorne didn’t doubt her reach extended all the way back to Shadow Creek.
“Thorne? Maggie?” Mac’s voice cut into his thoughts, and Thorne released his grip on Maggie, easing back onto his heels as he slid away from her. Mac walked over to them, frowning in concern. “What’s going on? Is everything okay? Maggie, are you feeling all right?” He reached out to her and she offered him a reassuring smile.
“I’m fine,” she said. “Thanks to Thorne.”
Mac cut him a questioning look. “What happened?” His gaze slid down, landing on Thorne’s feet. “And where are your boots?”
Chapter 11
Maggie sat on a bench in the stables, her eyes glued to the closed door of Mac’s office. About ten minutes ago, a man from Animal Control had arrived, toting heavy burlap bags and a long pole. After slipping on a pair of thick rubber knee-high boots, he’d ducked into the office with his implements.
“I hope those snakes didn’t slither into my boots.” Thorne sat down next to her and shivered slightly. “I’d never be able to look at them the same way again.”
Maggie smiled at the thought of strong, capable Thorne being affected by the knowledge that snakes had once curled up in his shoes. “I’m sure they’re still under the desk. The smell alone was probably enough to stun them.”
“Are you saying my boots stink?” He sounded surprised, as if the idea had never occurred to him.
In fact, she hadn’t ever been close enough to identify an odor, but she couldn’t resist teasing him a little. “You do work around animals all day,” she pointed out. “And it gets hot here in the summers. That’s a potent combination.”
“I guess. Probably time for a new pair anyway.”
“That might be for the best. That way you can guarantee they’ve always been snake-free.”
“Not a bad idea,” he said thoughtfully. “That’s really an underutilized selling point, if you think about it. I for one appreciate knowing my footwear has never been used as a hiding place for venomous creatures.”
“They don’t leave behind a residue,” she pointed out logically.
Thorne shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. It still makes me queasy.”
“Then I suppose I should be extra grateful for your assistance in there. I had no idea you were so affected by snakes.”
“You don’t have to thank me,” Thorne said. “I’m just glad you and the baby are okay.”
“All thanks to you,” she said.
He shifted slightly, and she could tell by the look on his face her praise made him uncomfortable. So she changed the subject. “I hope he finished up in there soon. I need to get started on Mac’s files.”
Thorne turned to look at her, his expression incredulous. “You can’t possibly be serious.”
“Why not? Once the snakes are gone, I see no reason why I can’t get started on the project.” She had to do something, or else she'd spend the rest of the day analyzing Thorne's kiss, searching for meaning that probably wasn't there.
Her lips still tingled and she resisted the temptation to rub her fingers over her mouth to dispel the sensation. It was tempting to imagine Thorne had kissed her because he wanted her, but she'd seen the wild look of panic in his eyes and knew he'd acted on impulse, thanks to an abundance of adrenaline. He'd been relieved that the baby was safe, but the only way he could express that was by embracing her. It was a sweet gesture, but she couldn't let herself read too much into it.
He reached out and took her hand, his light brown eyes full of an emotion she couldn’t identify. “Maggie, someone put those snakes in Mac’s office—they didn’t just wander in looking for a place to stay. This was a deliberate attempt to hurt you.”
She frowned. “But that doesn’t make any sense. This was going to be my first day working in his office. No one else knows about our arrangement. So how can you be so sure someone is trying to hurt me? Maybe they were trying to injure Mac.”
“Maybe.” He tilted his head to the side. “I’ll talk to Mac, see if he’s noticed anything suspicious lately. But even if he’s the true target of this attempt, you came awfully close to being collateral damage today.”
“But I didn’t,” she pointed out. “Why should I let something that didn’t happen control my life?”
Thorne paused for a moment, appearing to gather his thoughts. “Let’s assume the snakes were supposed to bite Mac. Since they didn’t, whoever put them in his office is going to come back, looking for another way to hurt him. What if you get in the way again? I might not be there next time.”
There was something about his tone that made Maggie think he wasn’t telling her the whole story. “What’s really going on here?”
He sighed, and for a second she thought he wasn’t going to respond. When he did speak, his voice was low, almost as if he was reluctant to talk. “You know my mother’s reputation,” he began, glancing at her for confirmation. She nodded, and he continued, “She’s not the type of woman to let bygones be bygones. Given the way things ended for her in this town, I’m worried she might be lashing out at people close to me, as a way to punish me for not supporting her during her trial.”
“You think she’s the one who put explosives in my trunk?”
He nodded, looking miserable. “It’s possible. And putting snakes in Mac’s office is exactly the type of calculated strike she favors.”
“But why would she target me in the first place? I’m nothing to her—we’ve never met before.”
“You’re connected to me,” he said simply. He opened his mouth to say more, but seemed to think better of it.
Maggie wasn’t satisfied with his response. “I wasn’t until my car exploded,” she pointed out archly.
He ducked his head and ran a hand over his close-cropped hair. “She probably found out about our night together and figured you’re important to me. That’s why she went after you.” He shook his head. “I’m so sorry.”
“I see.” And all of a sudden, she did. “That’s why you wanted me to stay with you, isn’t it? You feel bad about what happened to my car.” Her heart sank as she waited for him to reply. She’d thought Thorne had insisted on bringing her back to his apartment because he cared about her. It stung to find out he didn’t want her company—he was only acting out of a sense of guilt, because he thought his mother had tried to harm her.
“Well, yes,” he confirmed. “But there’s more to it than that. I’m scared you’re still a target, since you survived her first attempt. I figured if you stayed with me, I could keep an eye on things and make sure you and the baby are safe.”
Maggie clenched her jaw, feeling like a fool. How could she have ever thought Thorne was interested in her romantically? It was clear the only reason she was here was due to the baby. If she hadn’t turned up pregnant, he likely would have left her in the hospital and she’d be home now, sleeping in her own bed.
Tears sprang to her eyes, but she blinked them away. She would not cry in front of Thorne; her pride wouldn’t allow it. Besides, if he saw her tears he would want to know why she was upset, and she didn’t want to explain the disappointment and hurt she felt after finding out he didn’t have feelings for her. I’m sad because you don’t want me—talk about pathetic! Definitely a conversation she would never let happen.
Just then, Mac’s office door opened and the Animal Control officer stepped out carrying two wriggling sacks. Maggie instinctively le
aned back, and she felt Thorne brush her shoulder as he did the same. The bags were tied securely, but she didn’t relax until the man had placed them both in a locker in his truck and shut the door behind them.
She rose and started walking toward Mac’s office, Thorne a half step behind her. She knew he was going to try to talk her out of starting on Mac’s files, but she wasn’t in the mood to listen. Now more than ever, she needed to focus on something else as a distraction from her thoughts and her aching heart.
Fortunately, the Animal Control officer stopped Thorne and held out a clipboard, clearly needing a signature or acknowledgment of some kind. Maggie used the opportunity to duck into the office alone. She was surprised to find it looked the same as before—apparently, capturing the snakes hadn’t involved much of a struggle. Thorne’s boots lay sprawled on the floor, and in that instant, she hoped the snakes had been hiding in them.
She picked them up and deposited them in the hall just outside the office door. Hopefully he would take the hint.
If only her heart had done the same.
* * *
“What’s wrong?”
Thorne jerked, startled by the unexpected sound of Mac’s voice. They’d been grooming horses for the past hour, the brush of the currycombs and the chirps of birds the only sounds in the otherwise quiet pen.
Earlier that morning, he and Knox had questioned Mac about possible enemies who might want to harm him. But his father hadn't been able to come up with any names. Knox had left them to return to work, and Thorne and Mac had gone back to the horses. Given Mac's natural reticence, Thorne had figured his father had already used up his quota of words for the day, so it was a bit of a shock to hear him speak now.
