by Paty Jager
Brock was amazed at how her breasts filled his hands, the erect nipples begging to be kissed. He leaned down, taking one in his mouth. Carina wiggled under him, her moan of appreciation driving him to give the other breast his attention.
She grabbed his shirt, ripping the snaps open. He pulled back. The look of rapture in her eyes as her hands explored his chest took him over the brink of rationalization. He didn’t care if they were in the barn in the hay. He had to have her.
Her slender hands trailed down his torso to the top of his Wranglers.
Now .
He pulled her shirt over her head. Her full breasts and soft curves took his breath away. He leaned down, giving her full, sweet lips the attention they deserved.
“Daddy!”
The sound of his daughter’s voice broke the spell. Brock froze gazing down at Carina, flushed and stripped to her waist.
“Daddy!” The shout rang clearer.
“Damn!” Brock’s heart pounded in his chest as fear stronger than anything he’d ever felt gripped him. He didn’t want his young daughter to find him ravaging a naked woman in the barn. He jumped off the bale, snapping his shirt and tucking it in.
Carina scrambled to get dressed as well.
“I’m sorry,” he said, snapping his coat and hurrying away. That was why they had the rule no touching. Damn!
He stepped out of the barn and relief spread through him. Maddie still stood on the porch. Carina would have time to get herself together.
“What?” He hurried to the house through the curtain of snowflakes falling.
“Grandpa’s on the phone.”
His heart stopped and anger surged through his veins. What did the sour man want? He looked back at the barn where Carina just emerged. Hay clung to her hair. He hoped she could come up with a good story; he had other matters to take care of.
Entering the house, he didn’t even look at Willie T. The thought of talking with his father-in-law didn’t set well with him. He picked up the receiver from the counter where Maddie had placed it.
“Yes,” he said, in a less than genial voice.
“I began to think you weren’t even going to take the call.”
“I was in the barn. What do you want?” He could barely keep the resentment out of his voice. Maxwell had not changed a bit. His words were razor sharp and nicked Brock’s pride just like always.
“With the early snow, this could be a hard winter. I’ve got someone interested in your ranch. He’s got lots of money and would pay you more than that place is worth.” The contemptuous tone of his voice set Brock’s hair on end.
“You know good ‘n’ well this place isn’t for sale. And it never will be as long as I’m alive.”
“That’s something to consider after the way you took care of my daughter.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Fury washed though him, causing his head to whoosh and his hand to clench the phone.
“You know what I’m talking about. And how about the way you’re raising my grandchild?”
“Since when have you cared a twit about Maddie?”
“Since I heard you’ve got some slut living there.”
That did it. This man had never met Carina and hadn’t given a crap about his granddaughter for five years.
“Mr. Johnson, I will never sell, and I will bring my daughter up as I see fit. How I do that is my concern and not yours.” Brock slammed the phone down.
His vision blurred. He looked around the room not seeing anyone or anything. The fury in him raged. The man had some balls to call here trying to sell his family’s home.
Carina entered at the end of the conversation. She looked at Maddie. The child looked sad and scared. Moving across the room, she stood beside the girl, giving her a hug.
Willie T sat stone still watching Brock. Carina cleared her throat. Brock shook like a dog coming out of water. His eyes cleared and he looked at Maddie.
“I’m so sorry you heard all of that, Freckles.” He moved across the room, hugging his daughter tight. “Your grandfather is trying to get me to sell again.”
“We’ll never sell.”
Pride swelled at the conviction in his daughter’s voice. “No, we never will.”
Carina’s eyes watered watching the two clinging to one another.
Tate’s cries floated down the stairs. “I’ll get him,” Carina said.
“No. Maddie, will you get Tate. I want to talk to Willie T and Carina.” Brock nodded his head toward the kitchen door.
Maddie nodded and left the room.
Carina saw the anger coming back into Brock’s eyes. He paced the kitchen, running a hand through his hair.
“That son-of-a-bitch Johnson said he had a buyer for the ranch, insinuating I’m not going to make it through the winter.” He slammed a fist into his palm. His eyes rested on Carina and his face reddened.
“I’ve been keeping something from you, and I’m sorry now. If you want to leave,” he cleared his throat, “especially after this afternoon, I’ll understand.”
Carina glanced at Willie T and back to Brock. What was he talking about? That they broke the one rule she was so adamant they keep? It had been as much her fault as his. Once his arms came around her, she couldn’t think of anything other than finding solace in his embrace.
“The people of Dutch Springs say I’m paying you in”—he looked at Willie T and ran a hand over his face—“in bed privileges.”
“That’s…that’s…” She stopped, seeing where this afternoon would play into the rumors. Her heart sunk in her chest. “My God.” She lowered herself onto a chair. “Why? Why would they think that?”
“They all know I’m in debt from Beth’s medical bills and can’t see how I could afford a nanny.”
Concern in the brown depths of his eyes, warmed her, taking away her shame.
Brock turned to the old man sitting at the table watching them. “Willie T, will you and Jack take some of my antiques to Halverton tomorrow and sell them?”
“No, you won’t get near what they’re worth if you do that,” Carina chimed in.
“I need to have people see I’m selling, so they know I’m paying you.” He captured her arm. “I won’t have them spread rumors about you.”
“What about you? It would be bad for Maddie to hear…you know, about her father.”
“I’m not worried about Maddie. She lives here and knows what she sees.”
Carina blushed. Brock also colored a little. She’d almost seen too much this afternoon.
“I tried to tell her to take a message,” Willie T cut in, his eyes shining with mirth.
They both turned and stared at the old man, who simply lifted a mug of coffee to his smiling lips.
Carina shook her head and smiled. The old man was craftier than he looked.
“How fast can I get money from the furniture?” Brock asked, breaking into her thoughts.
“We should have taken photos when I first called my mother.” She looked at Brock. “You’ll get more money and won’t have to sell as many.”
“All I have is an old camera.” Brock rubbed the back of his neck.
“I’ll drive into Halverton tomorrow and buy a digital camera. That way we can send the photos and have offers within a couple of days.”
“Have you driven in snow before?” Brock took a step toward her, concern creasing his forehead.
“No, but I’ll go slow.” She bit her lip. There was no way she would pull Brock from his chores to take her to town.
“If you haven’t driven in snow this isn’t the time to learn.”
Carina looked at Willie T. “Tell him I can drive to town?”
“I would offer to take you, but I have to take my daughter to the doctor in Boise tomorrow.” Willie T. shrugged and looked apologetic.
Carina turned to Brock. “You need to take care of the cows. I’ll be fine. I’ll leave mid morning and be back by dark.” She scanned Brock’s face, lingering on his mouth. Heat simmered in her core at the thought
of the kisses they’d shared in the barn.
“You don’t know how to drive in snow. What happens if you end up in a ditch? Locating and pulling you out will cost me more time than driving you there.”
She figured he’d be stubborn about this.
“The children can stay here so you don’t have to worry about them. I’m an adult and will go to Halverton of my own accord.” She put her hands on her hips and challenged him to argue the point.
“Fine, go to Halverton, but you will follow Willie T since he has to go through Halverton to get to Boise. And if he says you can’t head back on your own—you stay there until someone comes and gets you.” Brock stared at her, waiting for an answer.
The thought of following Willie T was a relief. For all her bravado, she really wasn’t excited to have her first outing in snow all alone.
“I’ll go for that.”
He pointed with his thumb to his chest, “And I’m buying the camera.”
“I’ll purchase the camera. I don’t have a mortgage that needs paid and children to feed.” She saw his jaw twitch. It was hurting his male pride to know she was right. “Besides, I’ve wanted to take pictures of this beautiful country.”
Brock looked from her to Willie T. “But I’ll pay you back when I get money from the antiques.”
Carina put her hand out. He wrapped his large hand around hers. “Deal.”
“Can Tate and I come down now?” Maddie called from the top of the stairs.
“Yes,” Brock called back.
Carina smiled at Willie T. “What time do we leave in the morning?”
Fourteen
Willie T and his daughter drove in front of the house and honked the horn as Carina finished giving Maddie instructions.
“Carina, we’ve been home alone before, and Daddy said he’d come by several times to check on us. Go. Don’t worry about us, just watch the road,” Maddie said with a smile. The concern on the child’s face did little to stop the nausea that had lingered since Carina woke.
“I’ll take my time. Don’t worry if I’m not back when you think I should be, I’ll drive slow.” Carina kissed them on the head, grabbed her coat and purse, and dashed out through the falling snow to Brock’s truck. He’d insisted she use the truck rather than the rented sports car.
He’d started the vehicle, showing her how to put it in four-wheel drive if she needed, before jumping in with Jack to check the cows. The vehicle was warm inside, though it smelled a bit like dog and cattle.
She waved at Willie T to head out, following him down the drive and onto the county road. The sparse traffic on the gravel road made traveling easy.
So far so good .
At the stop sign to pull onto the highway, the wheels spun and the back end of the vehicle swerved. Carina clenched the steering wheel, turning her knuckles white and tried to keep up with Willie T. After the shaky start on the snow-packed road, she wasn’t eager to go as fast as the skilled man ahead of her.
She had knots in her back and a pin-pricking headache when they hit the outskirts of town two hours later. Carina shook out her shoulders when the tires met pavement. She loosened the death grip on the steering wheel and took a deep breath. Willie T pulled into the parking lot of a chain store she recognized. She pulled to a stop alongside of him.
“You did fine. Just be sure to go that slow on the way back.” He put a hand through the open window and patted her clenched fingers. “Relax. The key to good driving in snow is remaining relaxed.”
Her fingers ached when she slowly unwrapped them from the steering wheel. “I’ll try to remember that.” She rolled her head to relieve the tension and flashed a weak smile at Willie T.
He returned the smile and headed to his vehicle. Opening the door, he turned. “See you day after tomorrow.”
She should have known he wouldn’t forget to show for his weekly breakfast.
Laughing, she pulled on her coat and picked up her purse. Time to buy a camera. She knew Brock didn’t like her purchasing the instrument to help pay for her services, however, she wanted photos of the area—and family—to look back on in years to come. And she was willing to dip into her savings to help Brock keep his family together.
“There isn’t much variety,” she said to the woman behind the counter who had less experience with the devices than Carina. “And I’m not familiar with most of these brands.”
She contemplated calling Georgie. Her friend worked in a field that dealt with digital photos. Did she dare risk running down the battery in her phone? Of course, if she considered the fact that her phone would be useless for over half the trip back to the ranch…
Popping the case open, her finger hovered over the speed dial button. Before the miscarriage and divorce she didn’t need anyone else’s opinion to make a decision. But since then it seemed she couldn’t think on her own. That had to stop. Carina clicked the phone shut and pointed to the most expensive camera. “I’ll take that one.”
Smiling, she turned from the counter with her purchase dangling in the bag in her hand.
The distressed cry of a newborn shook her bravado. Frantically, she looked around for the child. A harried looking teenager pushed a cart past, shushing the baby and smothering it with a blanket.
Save the baby . “No!” Carina dashed after the young mother. She ripped the blanket off the baby and fumbled with trying to unhook the straps holding it in the carrier.
“Leave my baby alone!” screamed the mother, pulling on Carina’s arms.
“You can’t harm this baby. You can’t!” Carina choked as tears streamed down her face. She had to save it.
“Lady! Leave the baby alone.” The male voice and tight grasp around her arm shook Carina. The hand propelled her away from the agitated mother and crying child.
Oh my God! What have I done! I would have taken that woman’s baby and—what?
Carina swiped the tears from her face and jerked out of the man’s grasp. He’d pulled her out onto the sidewalk in front of the store. The glare of the sun on the snow made her squint as she tried to get a look at the man who intervened. In the distance, a siren pierced the cold air and steadily grew in volume.
She shivered. After all this time and distance, she thought the past had been put to rest.
A police car slid into the parking lot, and the man next to her waved his hand and grabbed her arm again.
“Let go of me!” She tried to yank free.
“I ain’t letting no baby snatcher get away,” he said, gripping her arm tighter.
“I’m not a baby snatcher.” She glared at the man. He was older and not quite as tall as Brock. His grip was like steel on her arm. “I won’t run away. I didn’t mean to frighten the girl.” She tried to relax so the man would see she wouldn’t bolt.
The officer approached them with his thumbs resting on the front of his belt. “Heard we had a baby snatching.” He didn’t look old enough to be out of school.
“Please, listen. It wasn’t baby snatching. I just over-reacted when I saw how the young woman handled the baby.” She looked from one man to the other. “I’m a nanny and when I see children in distress, I react.” She had to get back to the ranch without Brock learning about this.
“I haven’t heard of anyone around here having a nanny.” The youthful officer narrowed his eyes and put a hand on his handcuffs.
Brock didn’t need to get involved. “I’m not working for anyone in town.”
The man still holding her arm snapped his fingers. “I heard Brock Hughes has a nanny.” He looked her up and down and whistled. “Dang, wish I had a nanny like you.”
“Well, you don’t.” She pulled her arm from his grip and turned to the officer. “Look, it was a misunderstanding on my part. I thought the child was in danger and reacted. I’m sorry if I caused the mother any trauma. I was merely reacting on instinct.”
“Do you work for Brock Hughes?” The officer pulled a small notepad out of his coat pocket.
“Yes. And he’s ex
pecting me to return home by a certain time or come looking for me. I really don’t want to pull him away from his duties at the ranch.” She put a hand on the door of the truck.
“That’s Brock’s pickup. I worked on it last summer when Maddie drove it into the creek and gunked it all up,” her abductor said, smiling and nodding his head.
“And that’s exactly why I’m there. To make sure Maddie doesn’t drive vehicles and Tate is taken care of so Maddie can do her school work.” Carina opened the door, tossing the bag with the camera and her purse on the seat.
The officer moved quickly to the vehicle. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“To pick up some items at the grocery store and then head back to the ranch.” Carina put the key in the ignition.
“Not until I have a full report. You’ll have to come to the station with me.” He opened the door and took her by the arm.
“But I said it was all a misunderstanding.”
“That’s what you say. I have witnesses that say otherwise.”
Carina rolled her eyes, grabbed her purse, and slid out of the truck.
“Jason, drive this pickup over to the station. No sense in impounding until we know if we’re keeping her or not.” The officer tossed the keys to the man who dragged her out of the store.
“I have to get back before dark otherwise Maddie will be worried.” Carina turned to the officer. “Please, just let me get my groceries and go back to the ranch. I promise not to set foot in Halverton again, if that will make you happy. I wasn’t trying to snatch the baby. I wanted to help it.” The pleading in her voice shocked her. She’d never stooped this low, using her feminine wiles to get out of a sticky situation, but right now she would do anything to keep Brock and his family from finding out about her lapse in judgment.
“I didn’t say we’d book you. I just want more information.” He opened the police car door and motioned for her to get in.
Carina sighed and fell onto the seat. If she cooperated, she still might make it back home without the family finding out.
****
The grandfather clock bonged through the house as Brock entered the back door. He’d grab a quick sandwich, load up the kids in Jack’s pickup and head back out to feed the older cows. The heifers were all resting comfortably. Another week and they would start birthing.
