by Calista Fox
Sky stepped toward him and rested a hand on his biceps. “Did you kill someone when you were deployed?”
“Two someones,” he confessed. “My unit was ambushed in Afghanistan. Two of my guys died first. I had no choice but to shoot.”
“Wow.” She let out a long breath. “I’m so sorry.”
“I remember their faces. And even though they were the enemy, they were also human beings. Taking another life, no matter how valid the reason, isn’t easy to stomach or live with.”
She seemed to give this the consideration it was due and then asked, “You had nightmares about it?”
“Of course.”
“And you probably struggled over what you could have done differently. To be effective without…”
“Killing someone.”
She sighed. “Really, I am sorry, Sam. I can’t even begin to imagine… I mean you hear about these ambushes and attacks, read about them in the paper or on the Internet, but unless you’re personally involved, how can you possibly know what those who serve our country go through when in combat? When they’re in life-threatening situations? At the same time, how can you think that saving lives on your side means you did something wrong?”
His jaw clenched for a moment. Then he said, “Words help you rationalize, but you’re right… You don’t know what it’s like until it happens to you. Until you find yourself in a real-life scenario where you have no choice but to kill or be killed.”
She gnawed her bottom lip, tension emitting from her. Then she said, “Well, clearly I don’t want to kill the ex. I just want him to know he can’t fuck with me. Not anymore.”
Sam nodded. “I hear you.”
Sky raised her hand and brushed her fingers over his cheek. “You can’t blame yourself for the course of action you took out of necessity and as a survival tactic—for you and for your unit.”
“No. But it stays with you, you know? Sometimes it taunts you, even when you know it shouldn’t. I didn’t sign up to sit behind a desk, pushing papers. I signed up to fight a war. That equates to defending myself and those around me. Defending my country.”
“That’s heroic.” Her gaze drifted to the stable. “But the horses and I aren’t the only ones suffering from PTSD.”
“Slight difference, darlin’. I saw someone, when I came back to the States. Talked it out. It helped.”
Her gaze flashed back to him. He gave her a pointed look.
She said, “This isn’t something I want to share. I told you for a specific reason, but…I don’t like that you know something so distressing about me.”
“Maybe I feel the same way about you knowing what I did in Afghanistan.”
“You protected yourself and probably saved other lives.”
He nodded. But still, he challenged her by saying, “Exactly how big is your ex?”
She opened her mouth to speak, then snapped it closed. A few moments passed, and she eventually said, “Right. He’s much more than I can take on by myself, without a weapon. I obviously didn’t have my gun with me at the studio that night.”
He folded his arms over his chest and asked, “You really want to drive back to Luckenbach this evening?”
“Yes. I’ll be fine. I’ll even call you when I get there, if you want me to.”
“You know I do.”
She stretched on tiptoe to kiss him. Then she climbed into her vehicle.
“Be careful,” he said. “Be safe.”
“I will.”
He leaned in and kissed her again, then closed the door.
Sam watched her Escalade until it disappeared from sight. And wondered how in hell he was going to keep from worrying about her all damn night. Every night. Out there in Luckenbach. Alone. No one around. The ex out there somewhere.
Dammit.
He shouldn’t have let her go.
* * * * *
Sky felt ill at ease over having told Sam about Nashville—and seeing how upset it made him. Although he’d clearly tried to keep himself in check, she’d caught flashes of fury when she’d told him what had happened to her. Given the kind of man he was, it likely ate away at him.
But she also felt that telling him was the right thing to do. The way he kissed her and the sexual urges that raced through her were proof something significant—and sensual—existed between them. It wouldn’t be fair for him to not know her trauma. Especially since she thought about it sometimes and it made her body tense. She wouldn’t want him to think he’d done anything wrong or had hurt her if she inadvertently stiffened up on him while he was holding her or kissing her.
She knew he’d never do either. It was a solid affirmation in her mind. There was a distinct correlation between the way he treated abused horses and the way he treated her. He had a kind, gentle nature that drew her in. Made her trust him. And she knew she wasn’t mistaken or misled this time. She knew this wasn’t a case of leap first and figure out the rest later, as had been her pattern in the past.
The way she responded to his kisses and to his touch was innate and powerful. She had confidence in it. Sam made her toes curl, but he also soothed her soul. He was everything she’d ever wanted—and more.
She only wished she didn’t have all of this baggage. She hated the complication it created. Not only was she sick of being pursued by Mac, she worried about Sam getting involved.
As she paced her small living room, she contemplated his thoughts on her handing over the money to the sidewinder. Yes, she ran the risk of the con man thinking he could get more cash out of her. Especially if he racked up another gambling debt. If she caved this once, would he consider her weak enough to prey on her every time he needed to pay someone off?
Conversely, if she didn’t give Mac the sixty grand… He’d just keep calling her, wouldn’t he? He’d left five messages on her cell phone today, as usual. That demonstrated his tenacity. And he was being so clever about what he said—as though making sure his communication with her couldn’t be misconstrued as him trying to extort money.
The other eerie thought that rambled around in her brain was Sam’s suggestion that Mac was after more than just the cash.
An ominous tremor slithered through her at the thought of what he’d done to her in the studio, and how terrified she was of him doing it again.
Maybe, as they’d all suggested, she ought to stay at the inn, while there were rooms available.
But what if he tracked her down there? What if he wanted to break into her room and accidentally got the wrong one and hurt an innocent bystander? What if he caused some other sort of mayhem at the ranch?
Sky would never forgive herself.
Besides, if she caved and took a room, it would solidify in Reese’s mind that something much more dangerous than Sky had let on about had happened in Nashville. And giving Reese a bone always meant she’d chew on it until she reached the answer she wanted.
Sky couldn’t let that happen. Not this time. Not with this particular situation. There was absolutely no way Reese could learn about what had gone down with Mac Willet. They were best friends and sisters in arms, sure. But this wasn’t Reese’s fight—it was no one’s other than Sky’s. More than that, she honestly wouldn’t be able to look Reese in the eye if her best friend knew what had happened.
So staying in Luckenbach was the current answer to her problem. With a chair propped under the chrome knob on her front door and the windows locked, the curtains drawn. Her 9mm within reach.
Shitty way to live, but necessary for the time being.
Chapter Five
Luckily, Sky’s morning perked her up. Thursdays were busy days at the inn, what with last-minute preparations going on for the weekend celebrations that were scheduled. This particular weekend there was a wedding on Saturday and an anniversary party on Sunday, both being held on the event lawn.
Sky headed into work early to experiment with more pastries and see how they went over with the crowd hustling and bustling about. She wanted to add some variety to the complimentary breakfast bu
ffet that came with an overnight booking at the inn.
She baked cranberry-orange muffins, gooey cinnamon rolls, chocolate-chip scones and chocolate éclairs. Then she made the rounds, carrying a large tray full of her offerings around the inn and lawn, inviting people to sample the fare. She took a tray to the med facility for Caleb and his staff. Finally, she headed over to the stable and set a tray on a small table outside Sam’s office.
“I want honest opinions only,” she announced to his volunteers, along with Dalton and Al Wilbury, one of the many security guards who patrolled the ranch.
“I don’t think you’re gonna hear any complaints,” Dalton told her.
She smiled and said, “That’s what I’m hoping for, but I’m still new at this, so I’m open to suggestions.” She glanced around the stable and asked, “Where’s Sam?”
“With Midnight.”
Her attention turned to the stall in the far corner. The gate was open. She wandered over and found Sam brushing the stallion while speaking gently to him.
She watched for a few moments, mesmerized by the stunning horse and the gorgeous man, both of whom she admired. Then she said in a low tone, “You two are picture perfect.”
Midnight’s head snapped up and he snorted. She laughed. The horse shifted, moving a little closer to her, sniffing her.
Sam rolled his eyes playfully. “Oh sure,” he said to the stallion. “You pretend to be content with me taking care of you, and then she walks in and you defect.” He handed her the brush. “Give it a try. Just his neck. See how he responds.”
She stepped toward Midnight and said, “I’ll understand if you’re not receptive.” She slid her gaze to Sam. “No hard feelings.”
He nodded. “It wouldn’t be anything personal, darlin’. Everybody has their own healing process,” he reminded her, as he had the day Midnight had snubbed her with the hackamore.
His pointed gaze also indicated his sentiment applied to her situation too. Sky appreciated his perceptiveness.
She raised the hand not holding the brush and slowly reached out to the horse. “How about we start with a pet on the nose?” Her palm glided over his gleaming coat. He responded favorably, inching closer to her.
To Sam, she said, “I’m so glad I didn’t see him when he first came here. I wouldn’t have handled it well.” She looked at the horse and then flicked her gaze to Sam again. “His eyes break my heart. He’s wary and cautious. He looks as though he wants to trust us, but there’s the reminder of what happened to him.”
“I see that in your eyes sometimes too.”
“Probably.”
Sky held up the brush and said to Midnight, “It’d be okay if we gave this a try, right?”
The horse regarded her with that flash of concern she was all too familiar with. Seemed he wanted to believe in her, but still struggled with his inner turmoil.
She spared another glance at Sam. He nodded in encouragement.
Sky smoothed the bristles over the black coat. Midnight backed away. Not too far. Just enough to say he was uncomfortable, but not afraid of her. She smiled. Took a small step toward him, the brush at her side.
She rubbed his nose again and he nickered.
“Okay,” she said. “I get it. You need a little more time. I’m new and you’re not used to me yet. That’s all right.”
Sam took the brush from her and finished the job while she watched. Midnight kept his gaze on her, so she talked quietly to the animal. Then she and Sam left the stall, washed up and walked toward the front of the building.
He said, “I give it a couple more days and he’ll totally cave. You’re pretty much irresistible.”
She laughed. “Hardly, but thanks for the vote of confidence. Though I know it’s going to take some time. He’s been through a lot.”
“Yes.”
They reached his office and she paused, listened, then said, “Hey, that’s me.”
Sam grinned. “I finally hooked up the sound system we installed when we remodeled and expanded the stable. I downloaded your CD from iTunes so I can pipe it through. Thought Midnight would benefit from hearing your voice. The other horses seem to like it too.”
“You’re gonna make me blush.”
“Doubtful.”
He did lean in for a kiss, though. A sexy, sensual one. Sky practically melted at his feet.
Sam stared down at her, his eyes alight with desire. And a warmth that called to her. She skimmed her fingertips over his pectoral muscles, liking how they flexed beneath her touch.
“You could make a girl forget her own name,” she said. “With just a kiss.”
No one was around—she surmised they were all working in the corrals—so he went for another kiss. A long, slow, deep, hot, wet one this time.
Sky wrapped her arms around his neck and tangled her fingers in his hair. Sam held her tightly, their bodies pressed together. Nothing had ever felt so right. She could have stayed in his embrace all morning. Well into the afternoon, truth be told.
But the clearing of a throat made her tear her mouth from Sam’s. He groaned and shifted his gaze to the intruder—a smiling Caleb.
“Sorry,” the vet said, “but I do have to make my rounds. Y’all can keep at it…though it sort of helps for me to hear the horses’ progress reports direct from Sam.”
Sky untangled herself from the hunky cowboy and said, “Think I’m needed elsewhere, anyway.”
One corner of Sam’s mouth lifted in a casual grin. “Don’t go wandering too far. Have dinner with us tonight.”
“Okay.” Really, how could she resist?
Caleb said, “You realize I’ll never hear the end of how Reese set you two up, right?”
Sky laughed. With extra pep in her step, she headed out, but stopped along the way to give Caleb a friendly peck on the cheek.
“What’s that for?” he asked.
“Just ’cause.” She sashayed her way out of the stable and to the inn, thinking she’d finally found a place where she belonged. If only she could keep the trouble of Mac Willet at bay, far away from the utopia she’d discovered.
* * * * *
Sam couldn’t stop grinning, and his brother seemed to find it amusing.
They walked over to the first stall and Caleb consulted the horse’s medical chart, though he kept stealing glances at Sam, one of his brows crooked.
Caleb dropped the chart back into its slot outside the stall and asked, “Did you get laid last night?”
Sam shook his head. “Nope. Just a very hot make-out session. The repeat of which I would have enjoyed moments ago, had you not interrupted.”
With a snicker, Caleb said, “You do have a cottage not far from here.”
“We’re not moving that quickly.”
“Could’ve fooled me.”
Caleb stepped into the stall and started the examination of the white Arabian they’d brought in the previous week.
Sam leaned against the entryway and asked, “Can we be serious for a minute?”
Glancing up, a shocked look on his face, Caleb said, “You know we can. The fact that you’re asking tells me you’ve got it pretty bad for this woman.”
“I do. Like, right off the bat. I saw her with Reese when she first arrived and everything inside me went haywire. Then she walked into the stable, taking an instant interest in the horses and… I don’t know. All I could think was…she just might be the one.”
His brother straightened from inspecting a hoof and said, “You never talk like that.”
With a shrug, Sam said, “Who have I been serious about? Other than Charlotte. And that was many years ago.”
“Huh.”
He went back to examining the Arabian, but Sam could tell his brother was contemplating the current situation.
Caleb checked all four hooves, the horse’s front legs and then his vitals. He stepped outside the stall to make notations on the chart, and then turned to Sam.
“You’re not usually one to talk about your feelings to som
eone else. To open up. Even to me.”
Sam nodded. “She’s different. She makes me want to be forthcoming. Even to you.”
Caleb grinned. They’d shared plenty, no doubt about it. But Sam had kept his relationship with Charlotte from Caleb and the family—to the relationship’s detriment.
Sam had no doubt this prompted his brother to ask, “You’re willing to subject her to Dad and Judith?”
“They’ll all have to meet. Eventually. But the truth is, I don’t give a rip what Dad and Judith think of her. Although, being a celebrity, they’ll probably fall all over themselves when they meet her. The point is,” he said, “you and I live our own lives here in Wilder, not under the heavy hand of the elite in Dallas. And I don’t care what anyone says about Sky. Ever.”
He’d come to that realization damn quick last night. When she’d been so concerned over how people—Reese in particular—would view her if they ever found out about Nashville. Sam would stand by her side. He’d known it last night. The notion had been further solidified in his mind when he’d kissed her this morning.
“There’s something here,” he said, “that is much stronger than even what I had with Charlotte.”
“Well, isn’t that interesting?” His brother clapped him on the shoulder. “But shit, now I really never will hear the end of it from Reese.”
“When are you gonna marry that girl?”
“I’m not the one who can’t find a free weekend. She’s so busy with the inn, it’s a wonder I get any time with her at all.”
“There’s been a lot to do to get things rolling. She’ll have enough staff in place soon to back off a little on the workload.”
Caleb nodded. “Believe me, the first sign of a break in her schedule, and we’re tying the knot.”
They changed the subject to the Arabian, and Sam gave an account of his observations over the past twenty-four hours, as he did with the rest of the horses.
Although his focus was on the animals, the spunky redhead wasn’t far from his mind…
* * * * *
“There’s something different about you today,” Reese said to Sky as she joined her at her dessert station. “You’re smiling. Like, a lot.”
