“I was so mad at myself last night.”
“Why?”
“I didn’t get your number or make a plan to see you again. I decided tomorrow I’d just stalk your apartment until I found you.”
Kazlyn laughed. “Would knocking on the door be so hard?”
“I never thought of that.” He cocked his head to the side and his eyes twinkled. “I knew you were a smart one.”
“Sometimes.”
“Do you have time to do something next week?”
She sobered, thinking about all the studying she needed to do in the next few days. “I’m going to leave Wednesday as soon as I’m done with my last final, and I’ll have to focus on school until then.”
Ty nodded. “I guess I’ll just have to settle for texts and long stints of Facetime to get me through the holidays.”
Kazlyn couldn’t hide her smile. “It might be good to get to know each other better without the physical attraction getting in the…” Her face flamed red. “I can’t believe I just said that.”
Ty squeezed her hands. “I’m sure it’s hard being so attracted to a guy with giraffe legs.”
“I’m sure it’s hard being so attractive.”
“You should know,” he countered with a broad grin.
The waitress brought their food and Kazlyn felt the loss of Ty’s hands on hers, but thoroughly enjoyed talking to him throughout the meal. He walked her home and gave her a hug again, promising to keep in touch throughout the holiday. Kazlyn wished it could be more now, but she appreciated him being willing to let her study. She wanted to spend every minute with him, but still had her doubts. She kept hoping that she wasn’t just another number, maybe she was someone special to him like he was becoming to her.
Chapter Seven
TUESDAY NIGHT KAZLYN DRAGGED HER feet as she made her way down the hill from the library to her apartment. Tomorrow was her last final. She was pretty sure her GPA would stay above three-eight, but barely. She was having a hard time caring right now. She’d pray hard, take her test in the morning, and then go enjoy her mom and brothers for two weeks. Next semester would be soon enough to stress about grades again.
An arm wrapped around her from behind and pulled her off the sidewalk. Her bag slid off her shoulder, thumping on the ground. She squealed in surprise, but at the same time wondered if it might be Ty. Maybe he’d just got done practicing and saw her.
The guy jerked her closer and she realized the body pressed against her back wasn’t close to Ty’s height and this man smelled like strong cologne, not Ty’s clean, crisp scent. Another hand wrapped around her mouth cutting off the scream that built inside and then exploded from her throat. She started praying with every ounce of faith for protection from whoever restrained her.
Kazlyn squirmed against the firm hold and flung her head back. Her head connected with the person’s face. The man cursed and flung her around to face him. Trees shielded them from foot traffic or the road. Only someone coming out of the Spectrum could see them and all the windows in the huge building looked dark. Fear pulsated through her body. Sweat raced down her back, even though it was freezing outside.
“What a beautiful little surprise,” the man said, hazel eyes tracing over her face. He tossed his shaggy blond hair.
Kazlyn immediately recognized him from the basketball game. She couldn’t forget the way he’d leered at her and then winked. She shuddered.
“You want to go somewhere where I can warm you up, sweetheart?”
Kazlyn yanked backward, but couldn’t break his grip. “I’m going nowhere with you.”
He shrugged. “I think you are. I saw you at the game. I could tell you were into me.” He pulled her into his chest again, her arms crushed in his iron grip. She could smell spicy gum as he lowered his mouth to hers. Kazlyn let him get close, then she leaned forward and bit his lip. He howled and backhanded her. She screamed from the pain and fear.
“Get your hands off her.”
The guy flipped Kazlyn around, shielding himself with her body. He yanked her against his chest. She glanced up at Ty and a sob escaped. Her body went limp and the guy had to support her. “Ty,” she whispered.
“Hey, Ty,” the guy called out. “How are ya?”
“James,” Ty returned, his voice cold. “Get your hands off my girl.”
“Oh, she’s yours?” James’ voice matched Ty’s, sending a spike of ice down her spine. “I didn’t see it stamped on her forehead.”
“Let her go.”
“Or what?”
Ty’s fierce glower almost scared her. “First, I’ll beat you until you can’t say the word football, let alone play next year. Second, I’ll have the cops pick up your sorry butt for attempted rape.”
James barked an unsteady laugh. “It’s your word against mine.”
“The coaches aren’t going to help you out this time—no second chances, remember?”
James used one hand to brush his hair out of his eyes and Kazlyn took advantage of her arm being freed to elbow him in the nose. At the same time, she stomped on the inside of his foot as hard as she could. Blood erupted from his nose and he screamed, shoving her at Ty, who caught her. James cursed and took off running toward the parking lot.
Ty hugged her close for a second, and then let her go. “I’ll be right back, Kazzy.”
He sprinted after the guy.
“No!” Kazlyn screamed. She raced after them both, slipping on the ice and cursing their long legs. As she reached the upper parking lot, a car door slammed and the rev of the engine sent trickles of fear down her spine. “Ty!”
A silver sports car raced toward Ty. Ty jumped onto a cement block and hauled himself up a metal fence to avoid being hit. The car spun away and squealed out of the parking lot. Ty climbed down, dialed 911, and reported what had happened. He reached her a few seconds later and pulled her into his warm embrace. “Oh, Kazzy, are you okay?”
“Thanks to you.”
“You did great. I think you broke his nose.” He tilted her chin up and grinned at her.
Kazlyn felt time stop. His dark eyes seared into her with pride, warmth, and a desire she felt reflected in her own soul. He dipped his head and lightly brushed his lips over hers. Fire started in her abdomen and spread. He raised his head and stared at her with a longing she couldn’t deny. Kazlyn grabbed his head and brought his mouth to hers again. This time the kiss wasn’t light or short. Ty lifted her off her feet and kissed her in a way no one had ever done, the safety and passion intermingling perfectly.
After several wonderful minutes, he lowered her and just held her close. “I’m so glad he didn’t hurt you.”
“Who was that guy?”
He shook his head, closing his eyes for a second. “Running back for the football team. Pompous jerk who should’ve been convicted of rape already. I know a few girls who should’ve pressed charges. One tried and they didn’t stick.”
“Oh, my.” Everything went dark for a second. Thank heavens for Ty’s strength holding her up.
Sirens ripped into the parking lot. They were separated and taken to the campus police headquarters. The police also found James and arrested him. Kazlyn went through several rounds of questioning before the police took her home.
They told her she was free to go to Montana for the holiday tomorrow, but she’d probably need to testify in January.
Kazlyn didn’t get a chance to talk with Ty again. She found herself almost wishing it wasn’t Christmas break. She remembered the kiss and wanted to try that again when she hadn’t just been threatened. She was grateful to him and just wanted to be with him. She’d never felt so desired and cherished, but she’d have to wait to see him again. Patience was not fun.
Chapter Eight
KAZLYN DROVE HER MAZDA AS FAST as she could home to Montana. She talked to Ty for almost an hour of the drive. He and his friend were leaving the next day for his friend’s house. Ty’s concern had been evident as they talked through the attack and her final exams. With
a lot of prayer, she’d been able to settle down and sleep last night. Hopefully she’d done okay on her tests.
She sighed as she thought about Ty. Common sense said she’d only just met him, but her heart knew she was going to miss him the next two weeks.
She drove slowly through the Main Street of Snow Valley, grinning at the overabundance of Christmas decorations. Some were a bit tacky like the blow-up Santa near the town square, but she loved it. Rolling down the window, she laughed at Jingle Bells blasting through the sound system that had been installed for these few weeks of the year.
A train whistle startled her and she remembered it was Polar Express Day. Her dad used to take a break from the ranch and make the train ride a fun experience for her and her brothers. Even when they were teenagers and completely embarrassed to be riding, he still made them go and somehow made it enjoyable. A tear trickled down her cheek. She always missed him, but it was worse when she came home and everything reminded her of him.
A couple of miles beyond town she turned off the road and made her way up the tree-lined, rutted road.Their ranch sat on the east of the valley next to the mountain. The sun was just going down and the snow sparkled through the trees. She loved every bit of their land, but especially the box canyon that the cattle grazed in during the summer. She’d explored that canyon with its stream and wildflowers every opportunity she had as a child. Her dad would often find her there and indulge whatever fairy tale she imagined she was living that day. She swiped another tear off her cheek. What would her dad have thought of Ty? She smiled. They would’ve gotten along really well. They were both teases and made her feel like a princess.
She pulled up to the huge log cabin her dad and brothers had built, jumped from the car, and raced to the wide front porch without even grabbing her bag. The door swung open and her family spilled out. Luke’s long legs reached her first, followed closely by her mom and Porter. Luke swung her off the ground, squeezing her and laughing before they were all enveloped in a group hug. Luke and Porter took turns teasing her, calling her, “Skinny squirt,” and other such complimentary names as her mom worried about her being too thin.
“Can we go inside and get warm, then you can try to fatten me up?” Kazlyn asked.
Luke put an arm around her shoulders. He reminded her so much of her dad with his height, dark hair, blue eyes, and the kind of skin that had been in the sun too long, but looked good that way. “Let’s not fatten her up. No one wants to dance with a girl with skinny legs.”
Her diminutive, blonde mother shoved at his arm. “Your father never minded it.”
They all smiled wistfully. Kazlyn pictured all the times her parents would dance around the house together.
“So, Squirt,” Porter closed the door behind them and moved to Kazlyn’s other side. “Any boys trying to dance with you at that college that I need to come take care of?”
Kazlyn couldn’t hide the grin on her face. Ty dancing with her in the park was just too wonderful to forget. “Maybe one.”
She glanced up at the brother closest to her in age. They could’ve been twins with their blond hair and green eyes, except he was above average height and covered with muscle from working the ranch. She felt the familiar twinge of guilt. Both her brothers had insisted she go to school when Porter had to cut his schooling short and Luke had given up his dream job, so they could run the ranch after their father died in a tractor accident.
Only one person a year was awarded the privately funded, Jane Miller Scholarship, and she’d been the lucky one. Her brothers, not so lucky. But at least Porter seemed content and happy. Luke—not so much.
“Which one?” Luke growled. “You’re too young to be dating, you know that.”
Kazlyn laughed. “When you finally decide I’m old enough to date I’ll be gray.”
“Maybe then they’ll be able to keep their hands off of you.” He winked.
Kazlyn hadn’t dated much in high school. Mostly because her brothers threatened anyone who got too close. She didn’t mind now as most of those boys weren’t what she was interested in, but in high school she’d felt like a leper. No wonder she’d spent most of her time studying, reading, and dancing. If only she had time to dance now. Every semester she found herself drooling over the dance classes offered at the university. She promised herself for the hundredth time that she’d start ballet again when she graduated and could afford lessons. Or maybe she’d try out ballroom dance, Irish dance, or go crazy and teach hip hop.
“Aw, come on, big brother, you’re no fun.” She was glad he didn’t know about the football player forcing himself on her last night. If she had her way, he wouldn’t know about Ty until things were a lot more serious.
“When the right man comes along, these two will be supportive.” Her mom smiled at all of them, the look in her eyes demanded her brother’s agreement.
“Aw, Mom.”
“No way.”
Mom rarely got her sons to agree, but she tried. She sighed. “Come on, dinner is coming out of the oven.”
Kazlyn walked into their open kitchen area with a brother on each side and a grin on her face. Thank heavens it would be a while before they met Ty. Even their love of basketball and Ty’s charm wouldn’t soften them enough to think any man could date their little sister.
Chapter Nine
THURSDAY WAS SPENT TAGGING along with her brothers out on the ranch and helping her mom in the house. It was relaxing to be on her gentle horse, Malia, be with her family, and forget about all the stress of school. She got a few texts from Ty. He’d gotten to his friend’s house safely and was enjoying the family. It was crazy that she could miss him so much when they really hadn’t known each other for long.
After working all day Friday, she was half-frozen and just wanted to soak in the tub and drink hot cocoa, but her brothers talked her into going to town for the caroling/sing along. She showered and bundled up, thinking it was odd they would be so excited about a sing along, until she noticed Luke and Porter eyeing a couple of beautiful girls in the choir. As soon as the singing was done, Luke disappeared with a hurried, “I’ll be right back.”
Porter turned to her. “Do you want to do some shopping?”
“With you or by myself?”
He shifted uncomfortably and cast a longing gaze at the back of one of the girls.
“Are those two friends or sisters?” Kazlyn asked.
He grinned. “Friends. They both moved here this year to teach at the grade school.”
“And you and Luke are on the welcoming committee?”
“Trying to be.”
“I’ll go look through the Gingerbread Boutique. Text me when you’re ready to go home.”
“Do you want to come meet them?”
She smiled. “Maybe next time.”
He gave her arm a squeeze and rushed off to join Luke, already talking animatedly with the girls.
Kazlyn saw Jamie, a friend from high school, across the brightly lit square and waved. She’d heard Jamie was still dancing ballet. She wanted to rush over and beg her friend to let her come dance with her again. She smiled wistfully, turned, and almost ran into a huge man. She looked up and screamed, “Ty!”
He grinned. “Kazzy, what are you doing here?”
She impulsively hugged him. He held her close for a minute. It felt wonderful but she forced herself to pull back. If her brothers saw them together it would not be good. She crossed her arms over her chest to control herself. “Hey! You followed me home?”
Ty stared at her like he hadn’t seen her in a month. “I’d follow you anywhere, but you never told me what town you were from. Do you think I waited outside your apartment, then tracked you?”
She laughed. “I wish you would’ve.”
“Man, why didn’t I think of it sooner?” He trailed a hand down her cheek.
She leaned into his palm. “Who are you here with?”
“My friend, Jamison. He plays ball with me.” He ran his fingers down along her arm, then
wrapped them around her hand. “Can I buy you a cup of cocoa?”
She glanced at her brothers who were practically drooling over their school teachers. “Let me just text my brothers. Do you mind taking me home after?”
“Love to, if you don’t mind riding in the little beast again.”
“Sure.” She’d ride in a manure truck if it meant spending time with him.
She texted her brothers while he texted Jamison. Ran into a friend, I’ll catch a ride home. No reason to tell them it was a male friend.
They turned toward Tina’s Place and walked quickly along the cleared sidewalk. Ty’s strong arm brushing against her brought butterflies to her stomach. “I should’ve asked if you’d be coming home with Jamison.”
“I didn’t know you knew him.”
“I don’t very well, he’s the same age as my brother.”
“His family’s been great,” Ty said. “His mom understands why I’m such a wimp about not going home and she’s been spoiling me.”
“I’d kind of like to see you being wimpy.”
“It’s an attractive look for me.”
“Anything would be.” Kazlyn blushed and looked away, but not before she caught his grin.
He held the door for her and asked Tina for a corner booth. The darling brunette, who ran the café with her husband, hugged Kazlyn and welcomed her home before looking Ty up and down a few times. She smiled coquettishly. “Sure, handsome, whatever you want.”
Kazlyn bristled, even though she knew Tina was overly friendly with everyone and completely committed to her husband. Ty placed his hand on Kazlyn’s back and escorted her to the table after responding kindly to Tina. He must be so used to getting hit on, he didn’t even bat an eye.
Kazlyn scooted into the booth and Ty slid in next to her. They both took off their coats. She smiled up at him.
“I’ve missed you.” He took her hand.
“I missed me, too! I mean, I missed you not I missed me. Well, you know what I mean.” She shook her head. It had only been two days, but she didn’t know if she could stand to be parted from his grin and warmth again.
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