Nobody Else But You

by Claire Marti

  “Please kiss me.” Had she said it out loud?

  He smiled and lowered his golden head to hers. His sculpted mouth pressed against her lips and she moaned. She drove her fingers into his thick hair and opened to him.

  Tingles traveled down her spine, then her hip vibrated. At first, she ignored it. Couldn’t care less who would be bothering her right now. Then she remembered.

  She broke off the kiss and grabbed the phone out of her back pocket.

  “Where the hell are you? Get up here now.” Her dad’s text was all caps.

  “Oh crap. My dad. We have to go.” She breathed out the words, struggling for composure.

  “Oh yeah. Let’s go.” He smoothed back the hair from her face and threaded his fingers through hers.

  They strode together up the path to the house.

  “Holt.” She halted in her tracks and stared down at his long tanned fingers intertwined with her slender pale ones.

  “Yeah?” He gazed down at her, all nonchalant.

  “We’re holding hands.” She lifted her gaze to his and her belly took a long, slow roll.

  “Yeah. Yeah we are. You okay with it?” One corner of his beautiful mouth hitched up.

  “I…I’m not sure. Probably not the best time with everything going on.” Her hand tightened on his, loving the feel of his calloused palm covering hers.

  “But later? We need to talk, Samantha. I have some things to tell you.” His blue eyes were twin flames and it wasn’t just intense desire flickering behind his eyes. Things to tell her?

  “Tell me?” She swallowed. “Okay.” And that’s all she had. For once her impulsive mouth didn’t run away with her. Nope, she didn’t have the words. But warmth filled her, a different type than the sun frying the back of her neck.

  “No comment? That’s a first.” He flashed his white teeth. He brushed his fingertips along her cheek with his other hand and tugged her hand and continued up the path.

  She pulled on her hand, but he wouldn’t release her.

  “I’ll let go at the door.” He smiled down at her.

  She followed because she wasn’t sure what else to do. Wait, that wasn’t quite true. She kept her hand in his because it felt right. His strength, warmth, and calmness fortified her and made her feel protected. Who knew what they were doing, but he sure seemed to be confident.

  When they reached the front door, she paused.

  “No matter what happens, I’m here for you, Sam.” He drew their joined hands to his mouth and kissed her fingers before he relinquished her hand.

  Drawing courage from his quiet strength, she turned the knob. “Let’s go do this.”

  27

  Chaos ensued. Amanda glared at Harry and her customarily calm voice was urgent. The director was holding up both hands in front of him and nodding his head. Angela, her dark brows drawn together, flanked her dad. Her father’s knuckles were white where he gripped his massive oak desk.

  “Sam, Dylan called you? Is she okay?” Amanda caught sight of them standing in the open office doorway. Her skin was flushed and her eyes flashed with fury. Although her sister didn’t share her lightning fast temper, when she was angry, her McNeill blood showed.

  She nodded and marched into the office and Holt followed. “She’ll be fine. She just couldn’t believe I hadn’t heard yet. Insane. So Harry––any answers yet? Who was the leak? What are you doing?”

  “Yes. I made some calls on the way up from the set. There will be no further stories. The idiot who started the first one has been fired and won’t be able to get a job reporting on the corn growing in Iowa. Trust me.” His jaw was tight and his eyes cool.

  “That’s what you said before.” Amanda crossed her arms across her chest and glowered at him.

  “Yeah. Excuse us if we don’t feel confident in your word right now.” Sam crossed her arms, mirroring her sister. Holt stepped closer to Sam’s side. His solid presence bolstered her nerves.

  “Look, while I can’t get the story already out there removed from the news stations and social media, there won’t be any more. Period. I’ve got it handled.” He jutted out his chin and scanned the room.

  “But what does that matter? It’s already out there and the damage is done.” Sam piped in.

  “Girls, we can’t do anything about the stories already out there except to ignore them. It’s done.” Her dad’s hazel eyes flashed and he nodded when nobody replied.

  “I will be damned if I allow the media to dictate what I do with my life and how any of us act ever again. We changed our lives once and I’ll be damned if I’ll do it again. I’m done.” He caught Angela’s hand and pulled her in closer to him.

  “Here’s how everything will move forward from now on. First, we’ll step up security. We will finish this film on time and on budget. We will ignore any news reports. If anybody is stupid enough to ask us for comments, the response in No Comment. Are we agreed?” He scanned the room.

  “Your father is right. It’s done. We’ll live our lives like normal. The story will die down quickly, there’s too many other crazy things going on in the world for it not to. We won’t hide. Girls?” Angela hugged her dad as she spoke, always the source of comfort.

  Sam covered the two steps to embrace her sister. She sighed out the breath she’d been holding. Amanda’s shoulders were stiff, but the heat in her eyes had cooled. Her calm, cool, and collected persona was firmly back in place.

  “Girls?” Her dad asked.

  “I guess we don’t have a choice. But you’re right. It’s just talk and we can ignore it. We’ll get through this. Now that it has come up again, I think it’s time for us to dig out all the photo albums and the movie posters and stop pretending like that part of our lives didn’t exist.” Amanda nodded.

  “I’d love to do that. And while I’m not happy about it, I agree we can’t hide out anymore. Won’t hide out anymore.” Samantha linked her arm with her sister’s. “And dad, now we understand how much you missed this and I don’t want to stand in your way.”

  “Thank you. We’ll get through this together, like we always do.” Her dad’s eyes were bright.

  “Who was the leak, Harry?” Sam asked. Curiosity won out––she was willing to move on, but needed to know.

  Harry grimaced. “The damn waitress who was training at The Inn. Apparently when she saw Jack, she tipped off a reporter at one of the tabloids. The tabloid put two and two together when they learned Jack was with your family. Then the idiot reporter dispatched the scumbag photographer.”

  “The Inn? Our Inn? They are known for being discreet. Damn it.” Chris slapped his hand on the desk.

  “She’s been fired. They are also planning on prosecuting her for violating her employment contract there. I guess some people don’t care about breaking privacy clauses—” Harry shook his head. “I’m sorry. I know I pushed this on you.”

  “You did, but you were right. I’d say we’re even now. You helped me by finishing the film after I couldn’t do it and it’s all come full circle. And we both had to deal with those rumors.”

  “It wasn’t ever about evening the score, but I’m glad it all worked out.” Harry nodded.

  “I’m glad it wasn’t anyone you hired, which is a positive. And we’ll finish the movie. Like I said, I won’t play into this crap ever again.” Her dad shook his head. “Let’s get back to work. Text the leads and let’s finish up this scene today. We’re on a schedule.” Her dad looked around the room.“ Holt, can you come down in an hour?”

  “Sure. I’m ready.” Holt nodded.

  “Let’s do this.” Harry whipped his phone out of his pocket.

  Sam hesitated, and then looked at Holt. He winked at her and she couldn’t prevent the smile from spreading across her face or the tingle down her spine. She turned to file out of the office. Maybe today wasn’t Armageddon after all.

  Before anybody could exit, Owen, the stallion manager, burst into the room.

  “We’ve got to evacuate. There’s a f
ire just across the canyon behind the north wall. They’ve already called for mandatory evacuations.”

  “What? When did it start? Mandatory evacuations?” Amanda and Sam cried at once. “We’ve got to move the horses.”

  “The ranch hands are all down at the stables and moving on evac protocol. The winds are so intense right now, the flames are moving crazy fast.” Owen threw up his hands. “After the Witch Creek disaster, nobody is taking any chances. We need help though. We’ve got to get the horses out before the smoke gets too heavy.” Owen turned and ran down the hallway.

  “Everybody stay calm. We’ve been through this before. I’ll take care of packing up the valuables from the house. You go help with the horses.” Angela hurried behind her father’s desk and started whipping open drawers.

  Chills shot through Sam’s body and for a split second she couldn’t budge. They had one hundred and fifty horses and taking them all to safety was no easy feat, protocol or not. She’d created the foolproof plan herself, but if the fire was moving so fast the evacuations were already mandatory, what if they couldn’t save them all? Horses were so incredibly sensitive and freaked out at smoke and fire.

  Her mind flashed back to 2007, when the fires jumped across Del Dios Highway, and the flames destroyed everything in their path. Some residents hadn’t been able to move all their animals in time and had freed the horses from the stables to give them a chance of beating the fire. Pictures of towering flames buffeted by vengeful Santa Ana winds and horses galloping wildly in circles, whipping their heads from left to right, seeking an escape from the hellish inferno flashed through her mind. The fear. The loss. The horrific tortuous death.

  No. Not again. Not here. She squared her shoulders.

  “Sam, Dad, Holt, let’s hit the stables. Let’s make sure the irrigation is on full blast around all the buildings and the near pasture. Angela, you keep working in here and start packing up the cars.” Amanda morphed into her efficient self and barked out the orders nobody considered refusing.

  “I’ll drive back down to set and get the crew and everyone out of here. We’ve got three or four horses down there, and we have their trailers. I’ll have the crew load them up and drive them out. Where’s the best place to take them?” Harry asked.

  “We’ll be taking ours over to the Del Mar Fairgrounds. It’s only a few miles away on the other side of the 5 and it’s a safe place with enough room to house all the animals. Have your crew take them there as soon as possible. Don’t forget their papers if you have them.” Sam offered the directions as she retreated out of the office.

  “Done. I’ve got a ten-bedroom house in Encinitas. Once you’ve taken care of your horses, grab your stuff and everyone can stay there until it’s safe to return.” Harry said. “Do you need my help once I’ve cleared out the actors and crew?”

  “Come back up to the house and help me load the cars, Harry,” Angela asked.

  “Will do.” Harry waved and jogged toward the front door.

  “Sam, you okay?” Holt asked as they ran down the stone path to the stables together.

  “I’m fine. I’m fine.” The adrenaline pumped triple time through her veins; but she forced her usual work ethic to take over.

  The acrid smoke assaulted her nostrils. How had it burst up so quickly? The distinct grey tendrils were darkening up the formerly blue sky off in the distance. The howling wind spread the heat and it all seemed to have appeared within seconds. The fire couldn’t have begun more than an hour ago. Or had it?

  Had she been so wrapped up in her fury over the media leak she’d missed the early signs of fire? Talk about perspective on what was important. Now they were facing a true threat to everything that mattered: home, horses, even their lives.

  “We’ll get the horses out in time.” Holt grabbed her hand and squeezed it. His firm touch gave her one more layer of strength.

  Of course they would get the horses out on time. They had a plan. And Holt was by her side.

  The stables were a hive of activity. Ranch hands were loading the horses into the trailers lined up along the paved lane. Thank god she had checked and double-checked that everything was ready to go earlier. The whole process was an expensive endeavor, but no way would Sam lose a single animal.

  So far, the horses looked relatively calm except for a few whinnies and Sam prayed they’d stay that way. The scorching winds rocketed around them, ruffling the horses’ manes and tails. Amanda was leading two of their horses down to the waiting trailers and her dad was helping load others.

  “Buttercup?” Sam asked her sister.

  “She’s already been loaded into the first trailer. She’s fine.” Amanda called over her shoulder.

  Sam expelled a breath of relief. Buttercup was her baby.

  “What do you want me to do first? Stay here or go to one of the other stables? Just tell me,” Holt offered.

  “Come with me and we’ll start there.” Sam strode toward the second stable. “Yes, our number one priority is evacuation. We’ll move them all to the Fairgrounds, which should be open since we’re under mandatory orders. I’m hoping they’ll be able to contain it fast, but with these winds, I’m not taking any chances.”

  “I’m taking one of the trailers down to the rehab center and getting those horses. Dad, can you come with me?” Amanda asked as she ran toward one of the trailers on the end of the line.

  “Yeah, I’m with you.” Her dad and Amanda hurried away.

  Holt and Sam jogged to the next building. They worked in tandem. Words were unnecessary, but his support and dedication were palpable. The Santa Ana winds continued to pump dry crackling air, bits of hay swirled around them, and a few of the horses whinnied. Sweat poured down both of their faces and Sam’s fingers ached. It didn’t matter. She whispered sweet nonsense to each horse as she escorted them from their respective stalls and led them to the waiting trailers.

  As they continued to methodically empty the stable, sirens blasted the air and two fire trucks sped up to the stables and stopped.

  An enormous guy with close-cropped black hair and a goatee jumped out from the driver’s seat of the first truck and landed lightly on the pavement. “Who’s in charge here?”

  Sam paused and handed Holt the reins of a dappled gray mare. “I’m the ranch manager.”

  The firefighter approached and Amanda came running up toward them. His dark eyes widened when he saw her, but then he turned his back and addressed Sam, his face impassive.

  “The fire is moving fast. How much longer before you can you get the horses off of the property?” His deep baritone voice was brisk.

  “We’ve got about a quarter of them loaded up now. We’ve got enough trailers for almost all of them. We’ll have to drive some of them over to Del Mar, unload, and come back for the rest. I’m about to direct them off now so they can be back for the rest as soon as possible.” She exhaled and wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans. “What’s going on? Where did the fire start?”

  “About a half-mile down the road. Cause unknown. Nothing contained yet. These damn winds. I’ve got ten trucks on it now and we’re waiting on help from the air. I’ve got the whole Covenant on mandatory evac. We can’t have another Witch Creek.” He shook his head.

  “We’ve got irrigation for the main areas going, but the buildings may need additional protection. How many trucks can you get here?” Amanda demanded.

  “The priority is getting the fire contained. We’ll have trucks here too, but I can’t give you a number yet.” He continued to address Sam, not glancing at her sister. Odd, most guys drooled when they saw her.

  “When?” Amanda’s brows drew together and she stared at the guy.

  “I’ll keep you posted. Once you have the horses out, I’d take your valuables and cars and get to safety. We’ll let you know when you can come back.” He narrowed his eyes.

  “I’m not leaving here until every one of my horses is safe,” Sam declared. No way in hell.

  “Me neither.” Amanda turne
d on her heel and marched back to the stable to help Holt.

  “Look, Ms. McNeill, I’m new in town, but I’m aware of who your family is and the size of your ranch. We’ll do our best to protect you, but remember what matters.” He watched her sister stride away.

  “Thanks. But, the horses are our first priority. We’re on it. Thanks for coming out.” She didn’t have time to reassure anybody. Her horses needed to get to safety, pronto.

  She looked up at the harsh sky and muttered a small prayer to Mother Nature to snuff out the fire before it was too late.

  28

  Sam’s shoulders sagged, her eyes were stinging, but her horses were safe. The last twenty horses had just been transported to the Fairgrounds. Thank goodness. Nothing else mattered.

  She trudged the last few steps to the guesthouse and Holt flung the door open before she could knock.

  “Samantha, you okay?” Holt stared at her, his gaze intense yet unreadable. He stood with his guitar under one arm and his duffel bag slung over his other shoulder. His hair was stringy and sweaty, his face red, and his eyelids hooded. And still he looked gorgeous. An exhausted archangel.

  She could only nod and stare.

  During the madness of evacuating the animals, her mind had been completely focused on the task at hand. Now, all she saw was him. Everything between them rushed back to her. The man. The sweet tender lover. The cocky stuntman. The protective, caring man. The soulful musician. The first man to ever engage all of her senses. The first man she’d ever truly loved.

  “You ready? Let’s get out of here and go to Harry’s.” He tilted his head and offered a weary half-smile.

  I’m in love with Holt Ericsson. Oh my god. “Are those all your belongings?”

  “Yeah.”

  “That’s it? Everything you own?” How could his life fit into two canvas bags and a guitar case?

  “I’ve always traveled light and we won’t be at Harry’s for long. Stuff doesn’t matter to me, never has. My mother and sister are important. My guitar matters. You matter the most.” He stepped closer and she felt his warm breath fan across her cheek.