by Zoe Dawson
He nodded. “For however long it lasts.” He brushed her mouth with his, then pressed against her lips, demanding that she open for him. He ravaged her, then pulled away. “It’s been a long time. You better go,” he said. “Before I do something embarrassing.” He cupped her face, making it impossible for her to break away. “Come to Glacier with me tomorrow. I’ll take you into the park and we’ll rough it.”
Held transfixed by the intimacy of his touch, she stared at him, her insides balling up into a wad of dread. Dear God, what would she do if she was falling for this guy? She couldn’t be. It was just the circumstances. That was all. “What time?” she said.
“Seven. I want to see you as soon as possible.”
He sat staring down at her, his eyes dark and unreadable, then he ran the back of one finger along her jaw. “See you tomorrow, seven sharp,” he said, his voice husky.
That single soft touch nearly took her down and her whole body went berserk. It took every ounce of will she had to smile up at him. “Seven sharp, slave driver,” she whispered.
“Oh, and by the way, this shirt belonged to my dad. I wanted to look nice for you tonight, and my mom thought he looked hot in this shirt.”
She didn’t say anything in the wake of his declaration. She just kissed him one more time. “You do look very hot.”
He grinned.
With her lungs seizing up and her heart pounding, she watched him drive away, things happening inside her that made her heart pound even harder. As soon as he disappeared, she went down the path and into Eden’s foyer. She blindly ascended the stairs, tripping on the top one, the clamor inside her getting worse. The light was on under Greg’s door and she hoped he hadn’t heard her. She didn’t want to talk to anyone. Once in her room, she shut the door, then flopped facedown on the bed, burying her face in the pillow as she breathed deep his scent on her skin.
This was crazy. Crazy, crazy, crazy. She wanted him to touch her all over. She wanted to step into his arms like she had the right, and she wanted to hang on to him and never, ever let go.
She thought fleetingly of telling him why she was here, but what could she really say? She hadn’t bought anything. Wasn’t sure she was even going to follow through with the land now. She was also leaving. What difference would it make if she told him? She didn’t want to bring any type of business into this personal situation. It would just confuse and muddle up something that was already perplexing. Better to just not say anything until she was sure. She was still struggling over what to do, and she was getting herself in too deep.
Chastising herself for thinking that way, she dragged herself up, trying to disconnect from the unsatisfied ache lying thick and heavy in her. But she couldn’t disconnect. No matter how hard she tried. Feeling shaky and out of control, she washed her face and brushed her teeth.
Slipping under the sheets and blankets, trying to get a grip on this folly she’d fallen into, counting the hours until she’d see him again. She didn’t think she could stand it.
She really was losing her mind.
Chapter 14
The clouds were turning indigo and crimson when Rafferty finally opened her eyes, the bedding crumpled and twisted from a night filled with anticipation and anxiety. She looked toward the window, the sky turbulent with heavy clouds, the first rays of dawn burnishing their undersides with a vibrancy of color. Fully awake and eager to get up, she shoved away the covers, shivering slightly as she went to the window and pushed back the curtain.
Geez, what a sight. This big, endless sky, the indigo and crimson shades now slashed with fingers of orange, the bottom edges of the dark clouds kissed with gold. The trees along the ridge stood in a ragged silhouette, the rain from the night before leaving the air clean and fragrant.
The falls were full and tumbling, tinged by the rising sun and taking her breath away. She thought about that beautiful inn tucked away in the trees, backed against the falls, and her heart ached with longing. She could do so much with it. Letting her mind wander, she could see the new sign above the door, the old rockers on the repaired porch, and inside rooms themed from nature with whimsical touches. Then a separate spa area, which would require an expansion, probably. Individual massage rooms with oils that she could get from Clem. In fact, all of Clem’s products would work there. Then a separate exit to the hot springs, a quaint path filled with flowers and natural landscaping to enhance the experience. Wooden benches and small cabanas to store clothes and hold towels to optimize the therapeutic soak.
She texted Clem that idea. She texted back that she could totally see all that. Sounded so cool. She shook off the thoughts of her daydream. She wasn’t in a position to make a go of that inn. She was just taking a trip across the country, not rewriting her future. But the possibilities crowded her mind. She closed her eyes, wondering how it would be to wake to the sight and sound of the falls every day, wrapped up in the embrace of a man who was everything to her.
She laughed at her silly notion. She had the skills, but…Her thoughts scattered at the sight of Winston below her, heading off toward the garage. Black’s was visible just beyond the general store, Trace’s cozy house just beyond that.
Unlikely that she would find her destiny from a broken-down car, this one-horse town, or a slow-pokin’ cowboy mechanic not interested in commitment. Nope. Wishful thinking.
She stood at the window for a long while, watching the colors fade and change. Then she rubbed her arms and turned toward the bathroom.
After her shower, she tiptoed downstairs, thinking that she had finally beaten Eden up. Greg was still stoically refusing to leave just yet. She could hear the tapping of his computer keys. She wondered if he’d gone to bed yet. She couldn’t believe he was staying holed up in his room, missing out on getting to know the townspeople or seeing any of the area. Experiencing a twinge of guilt for not asking Greg to tag along, she knocked it aside because she wanted to be alone with Trace. She got a whiff of coffee and realized that she was going to have to face the music with the observant town doctor.
“Where you off to so early?”
Eden stood in the kitchen doorway, sipping a cup of steaming coffee, looking as put together as any woman had a right. Her golden-blond hair full and looking artless around her very pretty face as Rafferty grabbed one of the juicy apples from a basket on the counter. It was only six, but her insides were still buzzing. In the shower, she’d had a twinge of doubt, second thoughts. Getting physical with Trace…Yeah, that was something that easily came with the kind of connection they had, the powerful attraction. There was more there than just tingling body parts. The man made her disassemble and rethink her whole future. Hell, this little town had gotten under her skin. It would need quite a bit of an injection to rejuvenate it. What would it be like to take on that project? Not only build something, but see it grow, watch it blossom, see it expand and prosper. More silly notions.
“Don’t you take any days off?” Rafferty groused.
“No, and my eyesight is pretty good, too.”
Rafferty turned around and smiled. “I’m not sure what you’re getting at?”
“I don’t believe you made it home after the town meeting.” She entered the kitchen and opened a cupboard, grabbing a mug and pouring Rafferty a steaming cup. “I was worried you got lost in the dark.”
Rafferty took the mug and used the pitcher already on the counter to add cream. “Ha-ha, Eden. Has the L.A. big-city woman turned into the town’s busybody?”
Eden turned and braced her lower back against the counter, giving her a sly look. “Perhaps. I find that this town just got really interesting since you came along, and your hunky friend.” She took a mouthful of coffee and swallowed. “Greg, was it? He’s pretty focused on work, huh?”
Rafferty met her dancing blue eyes. “Yes, Greg, and he’s only visiting. And, yes, he works way too hard.”
She nudged Rafferty with her shoulder. “When the mayor got a load of him, I had to call her name twice. I haven’t see
n Trinity look at a man like that since…uh…since never.” She shrugged all innocent-like. “Just an observation from the town busybody.”
“Greg is going to be leaving soon.” She really hoped he did. “For your information, nosy, I was on a charitable mission to deliver a tablet to Harley so he doesn’t go stir crazy and I got caught up. I was quite safe.” She took a sip of the hot coffee and sighed.
“Mm-hmm. Were you? Cozy and warm, say, in someone’s arms? Maybe Trace Black’s? I hope you’re practicing safe sex. I’m only asking as a concerned doctor for your welfare.”
Her face heated and she knew she couldn’t hide that kind of flush on her fair skin. She turned away and opened the drawer, looking for the apple corer. “Thanks for your concern,” Rafferty said.
“Oh, I wanted to let you know that I’m having a potluck dinner here at the clinic the night of the homecoming dance. All the Blacks are invited. Except Cadie will be going to the dance. Both you and Greg are invited. Trinity will be coming. Should be interesting.”
“I’d love to come.” She heard the upstairs door open and the sound of footsteps. Greg came through the door a few seconds later. “Good morning,” he said as he helped himself to a cup of coffee. “You’re up early.”
“I’ve got a date,” she said, then smiled.
He frowned, glancing at Eden. Luckily he was the kind of man who liked to keep personal matters personal. “With the mechanic.”
“Greg, please use his name.”
“Trace.” He acquiesced. “But only because you asked me to.”
There was a knock at the front door, and Eden stepped over to the doorway. “Come in,” she called, and her gaze returned to Rafferty. “Speak of the devil,” she murmured with a knowing look.
Trace, devastating Trace, filled the doorway, his smile warm and intimate for her. She forgot what she was doing.
“Coffee?” Eden offered.
He took off his coat and draped it over the hand railing, setting the baseball cap he had on his head on top. “Sounds good,” he said, his eyes going over her.
Greg frowned again, grabbed a blueberry muffin from a basket on the counter, and left the kitchen. He and Trace, still not giving each other an inch.
Her pulse jumped into overdrive when he came over to the counter and got himself a cup of coffee. He was so close that she could smell the soap on his skin, and she closed her eyes, the surge of awareness nearly overwhelming her. Man, he was big. And so male.
Eden presented the apple corer in front of her face with a mocking smile and Rafferty went to take it, but Trace beat her to the punch.
“Let me do that for you.” He took the apple out of her hand and set the corer on top, then pressed down, something in his face making her pulse race.
“Mechanic, recreational guide, and apple slicer. I’m a man of many talents.”
Rafferty met his gaze, caught off guard by the glimmer of humor in his eyes. She wasn’t sure how to handle this man. The glimmer deepened, and suddenly the knots in her stomach relaxed. She gave him a warped smile, her tone dry when she responded. “And so modest.”
It happened again, that disarming, sensual, intimate smile that did unbelievable things to his eyes, and even more unbelievable things to her insides. The smile held, the creases around his eyes deepening, their glint turning her heart to mush. “What can I say?” he murmured.
Smiling back at him, she fell victim to the sparkle of amusement, to the glimmer of affection that she saw in his eyes. Oh, yes. She could very easily care for this man. So very easily. Flustered by that random thought, she dragged her gaze from his, her pulse erratic. She had to stop doing that—letting her mind wander—or she was going to end up in big trouble.
Who was she kidding? She was already in big trouble.
He piled all the slices into the zip-top baggie she’d gotten. He handed it to her and she dipped in and pulled out a wedge. “Want one?”
“An offer of temptation,” he said, with that same exciting glint. He took the piece of fruit, his big, warm hand brushing hers, brought it to his mouth, and with those strong white teeth broke off a chunk, chewing.
The man made eating an apple look hot.
“Where are you two off to?” Eden asked, avidly watching their exchange. Rafferty had totally forgotten about having an audience.
“A paddle through Glacier.”
She nodded. “Well, duty calls. You two have fun.”
Trace frowned as he watched her leave the kitchen on her way to the clinic.
He moved toward the stairs. “She seems very smug.” He picked up the ball cap and settled it on his head, adjusting the brim.
“Yeah, she is. Tell me, what’s her story?”
He shrugged as they headed to the door and he put on his coat, a heavy, waterproof windbreaker. Rafferty opted for her Aztec-inspired wool coat with the weather still quite chilly. She shivered when he took it from her and held it while she slipped her arms through the sleeves, his fingers brushing the bare skin at her neck.
“She came here four years ago with Anzu.” He pulled the door open and they stepped out into the cloudy day, a little disappointed it wasn’t sunny. “She took over Doc Mooney’s practice when he died of pneumonia a month before. His son sold it to her. She kept to herself that first year. Looked to me like she was running from something, but what do I know? I only saw her sporadically when I was on leave from the marines.”
He opened the door of his truck for her and she slipped inside, noticing the canoe strapped to it. “And Anzu and Harley. How did they become friends?”
Walking around the truck, he opened the door, and after settling in the driver’s seat, he said, “Harley takes in any strays, and Anzu was awkward and new to the town. Because of her culture and the way she looks, people around here were curious, some downright mean. Harley coaxed her onto his softball team and took her under his wing. They’ve been friends ever since. She’s a whiz with cars. I hope her mom allows her to work in the garage. She loves it.”
“She’s an amazing person, an astonishing artist, and as sassy as your sister.”
“Hmmm, that about sums her up. I have a soft spot for her and her mom. Everyone in my family does. Eden took very good care of my dad…Anzu read to him and helped as best she could.” His voice got thick. “It was extremely helpful to me being away, and often when Reese was on shift and out of touch. She was a lifesaver. We had constant contact when I was active duty.”
He started the engine and pulled away from the curb. Heading out of Laurel Falls, Rafferty couldn’t help thinking how this town would look with new facades, new businesses, the old boarded-up places fresh and prosperous. The town energized. She shook off those thoughts again. She couldn’t do any of that. She was going back to New York to continue working with her father, no matter how she’d lost her way with her job. She would get it back.
“How long were you in the marines?”
“Eight years. I would have stayed in longer, but my father got very ill two years ago and he needed me home. I came home. He died last year.”
“I’m so sorry. That must have been hard on you.”
“I was going to make it a career, but Cadie was still in high school and Reese has shift work.” He really was the rock that held the family together.
“For a long time, it was just me and my dad. My mom died shortly after I was born. But he has this amazing girlfriend whom I adore,” Rafferty said.
“A family can be made up of unrelated people like you and your dad’s girlfriend, hell, my fellow marines are all brothers and the marines are all just one extended family.”
They headed west and the scenery was breathtaking as they drove on Highway 2 in the direction where her car had broken down. The highway wound through trees and rolling land with the ever-present mountains looming in the distance. The sun came out finally and it looked like the day was going to brighten. The sign flashed by before they approached the entrance to the park. Trace stopped and showed his perm
it, paid the park fees, and was waved through. They headed into the park. Soon they were off the paved road onto a dusty and bumpy dirt road. It was slow going and there was minimal conversation as Trace concentrated on the narrow path, trees rising up with the picturesque mountains in the distance. Soon they reached the parking lot and Trace hefted the canoe off the truck, refusing to have her help. She followed him down to the rocky shoreline carrying the paddles and life preservers.
Getting the boat in the water was easy as he set the canoe down and slid it into the shallows. Putting in the food and paddles, he let her get in, cautioned her about how to balance her weight in the small boat, and jumped in after her, using the paddles to push off.
Once they were cruising along, he pointed out areas of interest, and as the morning went into afternoon, they ate in the small rocking boat, then turned back toward shore. That’s when thunderheads started to gather and Trace looked at the sky, his mouth tight.
“We’d better head in. This looks like it’s going to be a bad one.”
She gripped the sides of the boat and watched Trace’s back as he rowed full out. But it was no use, they couldn’t outrun the storm as thunder rumbled and the sky darkened, the sun blotted out until it was almost pitch-black.
The sky opened up and a deluge poured out of it. His shoulders hunched against the hard, stinging, cold rain. Trace turned to her, setting the paddle across his lap. “Whatever you do don’t stand up.” He checked the bindings on her flotation device. She stared at him, her mind numb with fear. The kind of fear only a city girl caught out in the elements could have.
She hardened her resolve. Fear wasn’t going to help her, and she might hail from the shelter of concrete and glass, but she was no wuss.
His head tipped against the slanting rain, and he turned so that she was sheltered by his large frame. He stared at her from under the brim of his hat, his eyes a beacon of electric blue, and so steady and sure, it grounded her.
