Reluctant Rescue

by Cami Checketts

  School was busy, but something pushed her to talk to the school therapist who put her in touch with a psychiatrist. The guy, Juan, was surprisingly chill and got Caylee talking about things she hardly remembered had happened in her life, but most of all he gave her tools and exercises to make positive changes. When she first met with him, she didn’t know that she’d be comfortable telling another man her secrets, but he was professional and exactly what she needed.

  September was almost gone and the only thing good she could say about Southern California was the weather was beautiful. She had tons of friends, but she’d never felt so alone in her life. She missed Levi. It was like a toothache—the pain never really disappeared. Too bad a root canal wouldn’t remove her desire to be with him.

  Caylee left the library late one night and even though it was warm, she couldn’t stop shivering. The campus was deserted and she didn’t like being alone. She focused on positive thoughts and knowing she could defend herself.

  A hand wrapped around her arm and a large man overshadowed her.

  “Hey,” was all he got out before she clasped her hands and swung them together into his forearm then stomped hard on his instep.

  He cried out in surprise and released her. Caylee whipped off her backpack that was loaded with heavy books and swung it like an ax into his abdomen, completing the motion with a warrior yell. The guy went down on one knee. Caylee took off at a sprint.

  “Caylee,” the guy croaked out from behind her.

  Caylee whirled to see who it was that would know her name. Her jaw dropped open when she glimpsed one of her classmates.

  “It’s Dallin,” he forced out. “You okay?”

  Dallin was a gentle giant. He was a big guy, but so kind and would never hurt anyone. He had a wife and new baby daughter that he loved to show pictures of to everyone in their program.

  “Oh, crap.” Caylee rushed back to him, offered him a hand up, and apologized. He took it good-naturedly, explaining he’d just wanted to walk her to her car to make sure she was safe.

  Caylee felt awful as she drove away, but at the same time exhilarated. She’d reacted. She’d protected herself. Even though it hadn’t been necessary to protect herself, she’d been able to.

  Her thoughts swung to Levi as they often did and she wanted to call him so badly. She was home within minutes and she hurried into her apartment, grateful her roommate wasn’t home. She settled for a text to Levi, too wimpy to call him after all this time.

  A guy grabbed my arm and I took him out.

  The text back was quick. Caylee! Are you all right?

  A warm flush rushed through her.

  Yeah. He hadn’t meant to hurt me. Just surprised me.

  I’m so proud of you.

  Thanks.

  A few minutes passed as she stared at her phone, willing him to say more to keep the conversation going.

  Finally. Everything else going good?

  Yes, but I miss you. Caylee couldn’t believe she’d typed that. Crap. Erase or something.

  Not anywhere near as much as I miss you.

  Caylee smiled and held the phone to her chest. She wanted to pick up the phone and call him, but this was enough for the moment. As she sat there thinking about Levi, she remembered his request that had originally pulled them apart, an idea her psychiatrist had agreed might help her if she felt ready for it. She pushed recent calls with trembling fingers and when her brother picked up said in a ragged voice, “Cam, there’s something I need to tell you.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Levi was at the gym on the cable machine doing standing rows when a large hand wrapped around his arm. He glanced up to see his future brother-in-law glowering at him.

  “Hey, Cam.” He released the handle and turned to face him.

  “We need to talk … outside.”

  Levi reared back, not sure what Cam would be so ticked about. He thought they’d finally become friends. Cam let go of his arm and stomped toward the entrance. Levi hurried to keep up. Cam didn’t slow down until they were next to his truck. Then he whirled on Levi, fists clenched.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” He bit out.

  “Tell you?” Levi’s confusion hopefully showed on his face.

  “About Caylee’s attack.”

  “Oh.” Levi stared at Cam’s eyes that were so much like his sister’s. “She told you?”

  “She called late last night.”

  After she’d texted him about defending herself. If she’d done the thing she’d been so upset about him asking her to do, did this mean she might be softening to him? She’d defended herself and she’d talked to her brother like he’d asked. Levi smiled.

  “What are you smiling about? My sister is damaged and for some reason she confided in you instead of me and you sit there and grin about it!” Cam stepped into Levi’s space.

  Levi backed up and held up his hands. “I’m sorry. The smile’s not about that. I asked her to talk to you about it a month ago. She got really upset at me. It’s what pulled us apart.”

  “You asked her to tell me?” Cam’s eyebrows dipped together. “I thought her psychiatrist guy asked her to.”

  Levi couldn’t help but smile again. “She’s going to a psychiatrist?”

  “That’s what she said.” Cam shook his head. “Let me guess, you suggested that also.”

  “Yeah.” Levi blinked and admitted, “I love your sister, Cam.”

  Cam’s eyebrows arched up. He pushed a hand through his hair. “Wish I could punch you or something.”

  “You love my sister too, so I’d just have to punch you back.”

  Cam did smile then. “You could try.”

  Levi chuckled then grew serious quickly. “Is Caylee doing okay?” Man, he missed her.

  “Actually, yeah. She sounded good. It just … ticked me off that she’d tell you and not me.” He clenched his fist. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Wasn’t my secret to tell.”

  Cam nodded.

  “You okay?”

  “Not really. I want to kill that guy.” He kicked at a rock and it went skittering across the parking lot. His muscles in his neck bunched up like a pro wrestler.

  “The feeling’s mutual. Shall we track him down?”

  “She wouldn’t even give me his name.” A muscle worked in his jaw. “Even without knowing who he is, it’s too easy imagining him in the crosshairs of my .308. Did she tell you who it was?”

  “I never asked. Afraid I would go gut him like a fish.”

  Cam actually smiled then. “I hate to admit this, but I like you, Levi.”

  Levi lifted his hands and backed up a step. “Don’t get all gushy on me.”

  Cam laughed. “I’ll try not to. What’s your plan with my sister?”

  “Wish I had one. Any advice?”

  “Take it slow.”

  “I’ve been trying that. I’m about ready to explode. I can hardly wait to see her at the wedding, but then I get scared that things won’t be good and …” His voice trailed off as Cam was staring at him like he was a rambling psycho.

  Cam finally smiled. “If you promise to treat my sister as good as I treat yours I might have an idea to help you.”

  Levi stuck out his hand and they shook on it.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Caylee’s flight into Salt Lake City was filled with air turbulence and her own doubts and fears. The plane bounced hard twice on the landing before finally touching down. Her stomach was a tumble that had nothing to do with a crappy plane ride. She might be seeing Levi today. She doubted he’d be here at the airport, but hopefully Cam wouldn’t be sad if they skipped the In ‘n Out Burger tradition and drove straight to Park City so she could find Levi. What would she say to him? How would he react? It had been over a month since she’d seen him, but since their initial texts last week, she felt more hope in the future than she had in a long time.

  She and Levi had continued to send short texts, but neither of them picked up the phone to
call. Even when she got the news that she was at final round interviews as future principal at Heber High School, only minutes from Park City, she simply sent him a text and he responded enthusiastically.

  Part of her wanted to push him into a corner and see if he was ready to commit to her for life, but the rest of her was terrified of even thinking like that. She’d been so scared for so long, but Levi had flipped her entire world, in a good way. It was crazy that she was now the one who wanted to beg for commitment. They hadn’t talked about anything like that for so long, she felt like she was in limbo.

  She grabbed her purse and carry-on and made her way slowly out of the plane and down the open hallways of the Salt Lake Airport. She descended the stairs toward baggage claim and the exterior doors. Her eyes swept the crowds for a familiar face.

  Disappointment swept through her when she didn’t see Cam, Sage, or Levi. She shook her head. Levi wasn’t supposed to be here. She hadn’t asked him to be and it was pathetic to hope that he would be.

  She didn’t have any checked bags so she walked toward the exterior doors. Maybe Cam hadn’t wanted to park and was waiting for her there. Pulling out her phone, she checked but didn’t see any new texts from him.

  A tall well-built man, holding a sign in front of his face, stepped in her way. Caylee backed up and said, “Excuse me.” Her eyes flickered over the sign, back to her phone, then quickly they darted back up to the sign. In neat print it proclaimed,

  Beautiful, impetuous,

  Sadness-sucking, joy-giving

  Caylee Compton

  I love you

  Will you ride home with me?

  Caylee’s heart halted then sped up to two-hundred beats per minute. “Levi?” she whispered.

  The sign moved to reveal his grinning, handsome face. Caylee flung herself at him. Levi dropped the sign, laughing as he caught her in his arms. “Guess this means you missed me?”

  Caylee didn’t answer, but kissed him with all the pent-up missing she had inside of her. Levi lifted her off the ground and returned the kiss in a way she was pretty sure meant he wanted her every inch as much as she wanted him.

  Clapping and a few hoots drew them back to reality. Levi lowered her to her feet, but kept her in his arms. He gave a grin to the onlookers who laughed and walked off. He focused back on her and his smile about took her breath away.

  “This is where we officially first met,” Caylee whispered, staring up into his bright blue eyes.

  “Yeah, and you hated me.”

  “Hate’s such a strong word.” She pulled him in and kissed him again. “Loathed, despised, detested.”

  “Those are so much better.” He licked his lips and asked quietly, “How do you feel about me now?”

  Caylee bit at her lip then shyly whispered all the words she’d been thinking of but had been too scared to say, “Love, adore, devotion, passion …” She paused and admitted, “Trust.”

  His blue eyes grew even brighter as a contented look crossed his face. “I like those words a lot better.” He kissed her, then he was the one asking hesitantly, “Does this mean we can talk about other words like commitment, relationship, forever?”

  Caylee swallowed hard and her palms were sweating, but she had no doubt her answer was right. “Let’s skip the talking and see if I can’t convince you I’m committed with a kiss.”

  Levi grinned. “I’ll let you off the hook with a kiss, for now.”

  She kissed him and savored every second of the interaction, but then she drew back and said, “I’m not afraid of those words anymore, Levi.”

  “You aren’t?” He gently rubbed his thumb along her cheek.

  “Not if I’m using them with you.”

  When he kissed her this time, they ignored the cheering.

  Chapter Eighteen

  The weather was chilly but the setting was gorgeous—the mountain as the backdrop as Cam and Sage exchanged their vows in the yard of Cam’s cabin. The fall leaves and dappled sunlight lit the area with gold, orange, and red with the numerous pine trees bringing in the deep green and the sky a bright blue.

  Cam was beaming and Sage was a gorgeous bride. Caylee walked down the aisle with Levi, but they were able to sit in the front row and enjoy the ceremony rather than the traditional standing next to the bride and groom. Sage wanted a simple wedding and Caylee heartily approved. She held Levi’s hand throughout the wedding, happier than she’d ever been in her life. She hated the thought of going back to L.A. to finish her schooling, but by spring she’d be back here, with Levi, Cam, and Sage and she’d never have to leave again.

  Everyone sent up a cheer as the pastor pronounced them man and wife and Cam gave Sage a kiss that probably embarrassed some of the more conservative members of the party. They finally broke apart and the preacher proclaimed them man and wife and invited everyone to come congratulate them.

  Caylee whistled loudly and turned to Levi. He grinned at her. “The kiss at our wedding is going to be much more intimate than that so you’d better be prepared.”

  Caylee’s jaw dropped. Yes, they’d finally talked and she was dealing well with all her commitment issues. She would definitely call them a couple, but he hadn’t proposed yet. “You don’t go throwing lines like that out there unless you’re prepared to back them up.”

  Levi grinned, stood, plucked her off her seat, and tossed her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. In her dress! Caylee squealed. The entire party turned to look at them.

  “Don’t mind us, I just need to straighten her out quick,” Levi said.

  She could see Cam and Sage from her upside-down perch. Cam smiled knowingly and Sage made a heart symbol with her hands.

  Levi hauled her off into the trees. Caylee half-heartedly hit at his shoulder. “Put me down, you brute.”

  He laughed and set her on her feet. They were sheltered from any onlookers.

  “What was that?” Caylee straightened her lace dress. “I’m the impetuous one, not you.”

  Levi chuckled. “I’m learning a lot from my beautiful girlfriend.” He leaned forward and gently kissed her. “When we get married it’s not going to be a chaste kiss like that. It’s going to be like this.” Levi gathered her into his arms and proceeded to kiss her until her hair was a mess and her lips were swollen and she was floating on a cloud of joy and passion.

  Caylee finally drew away and glared at him. “I haven’t said yes yet.”

  Levi released her and pulled a ring box out of his suit. “Caylee Compton. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”

  Caylee put her hands on her hips, but her heart was bursting with happiness. “You have to tell me you love me more than … I don’t know more than something that you love a lot.”

  “There’s nothing in this world I love as much as you. Please marry me.”

  Caylee pursed her lips, fighting to hide the smile. “You have to get down on one knee.”

  Levi laughed out loud, but obediently knelt. Then he popped the ring box open and she gasped. The large round diamond sparkled and shined like nobody’s business, set against the contrast of a wide gold band.

  “You like it?” he asked quietly.

  Caylee looked at this perfectly gorgeous man that she loved, and trusted. “It’s almost as pretty as you are.”

  Levi scoffed. “I’m not pretty.”

  Caylee framed his face with her hands. “You’re the most beautiful man inside and out I’ve ever known.” She leaned down and kissed him.

  Levi stood and gently slid the ring on her finger. “When I get old, ugly, and ornery will you still love me?”

  “I’ll love you when you have warts on your butt.”

  “Oh, Caylee.” But he was laughing. He stowed the ring box back in his suit coat and pulled her close. Caylee knew she’d love him despite any warts as he proceeded to kiss her, his ring on her finger the reminder that she was committed to one man for life. And she was ecstatic about it.

  About the Author

  Cami is a part-tim
e author, part-time exercise consultant, part-time housekeeper, full-time wife, and overtime mother of four adorable boys. Sleep and relaxation are fond memories. She’s never been happier.

  Sign up for Cami’s newsletter to receive a free ebook copy of The Feisty One: A Billionaire Bride Pact Romance and information about new releases, discounts, and promotions here.

  If you enjoyed Caylee and Levi’s story in Reluctant Rescue, don’t miss Cam and Sage’s romance in Rescued by Love. Read on for a sneak peek.

  @camichecketts

  CamiCheckettsAuthor

  www.camichecketts.com

  cami@camichecketts.com

  Excerpt from Rescued by Love

  Sage Turner pulled up to Park City Clothing Company on Main Street, glancing around desperately for a parking spot. Downtown was too stinking busy. Ski season was over, but the mountain biking and hiking had begun. Tourists adored her hometown, and she didn’t mind sharing, most of the time.

  There was a red zone not too far from the store. She shouldn’t do it, but it was either park illegally, drive around until something opened up, or drive to the parking lot at the base of Main Street and run to the store. She didn’t mind running, but she was in a hurry to get back and help her mom, who was stressed about looking perfect for Luke Freestone’s party. She’d be two seconds in the store, and then she’d be back out.

  Jamming her Jeep into gear, she leaned back and breathed in the fresh Park City air. Hallelujah that it was finally warm enough to have the soft top off. Her parents thought she was nuts driving a Wrangler around a mountain valley that was frozen a good portion of the time, but she loved it. It was still cool this time of year, high of seventy if they were lucky, perfect weather to have your top off. She could wear a coat and gloves while she drove. It was worth it to be able to taste the crisp air.