Around the bend, the house came into view. The lights were on in the windows and on the porch, although it was still light outside. The two story house with the wrap-around porch and the row of rocking chairs welcomed him, just as it did when he was a kid. Green boxes bursting with colorful flowers lined the windows where white curtains were pulled back, allowing him to see into the rooms that were painted shades of grey and yellow. The beds in front were also blooming with foliage, and the grass was cut short. The sweet, strong scent of freshly mowed grass lingered in the air. An ancient oak tree stood fifty feet away and still had the tire swing hanging from a rope. He and Blake played on it for hours when they were kids.
Beyond the house, he caught sight of a petite figure waving her arms. The sun glinted off her hair and he knew it was Blake. He drove toward the red barn with the green tin roof and parked. A fairly tall man wearing a dirty hat and dirtier jeans stood next to Blake. When Duff climbed out of the truck, the gangly man waved.
“Is that Amos?” Duff asked as he rounded the front of his truck.
“Duff. It’s good to see you, son.” The man held out his hand in greeting. Duff thought he felt trembling when he shook the other man’s hand.
Looking from the wrinkle-faced man to Blake, Duff noticed that she didn’t seem the least bit thrilled that her hand welcomed Duff with such friendliness. This only made him smile. “Blake.” He dipped his hat.
One corner of her mouth slipped into a frown. “We have a problem.” There was a slight tremor to her voice and, because she wasn’t verbally ripping him to shreds yet, he had a feeling something else more important was on her mind.
“What problem is that?” She hooked her thumb into her front pocket and his attention landed on her hand. Her slender fingers were covered in red. His heart kicked up in speed. “Is that blood?”
“Not mine,” she said, motioning toward his truck. “Care if we take your truck into the field? It’s not far.”
****
A few minutes later, as they were slowly making their way along the fence surrounding the cow pen, Blake allowed herself a quick peek at Duff’s profile across the bucket seat. His hat was in place and pulled low on his forehead, and there was a tense set to his prominent jaw. He’d changed his uniform for a black T-shirt that had pieces of straw attached to the worn cotton. His jeans stretched across his thick thighs with several holes in the denim that were small, yet big enough to spark her large imagination. She glimpsed crisp, black hairs and her body responded with a surprising throbbing between her legs. Her body betrayed her mind that wanted to keep her acquaintance with Duff at an arm’s length. She could admire him, his broad shoulders, his wide chest, and long legs, but that’s as far as she could let her interest go. After all, she saw men this sexy every day and wasn’t impressed.
Liar!
She wasn’t only impressed, but she wanted to reach across the seat and remove the straw from his shirt—or just remove the shirt. She hadn’t thought of much else since he’d visited earlier, and now here he was again, all dirty and sweaty from working with his hands. An image of his calloused hands on her body made her core pulsate.
He tapped his thumb against the steering wheel in restless energy and she glided her gaze over his long fingers, short nails, overcome with need to have his touch on her. The memory of their lovemaking remained strong in her mind, in her veins, and how she’d given herself so freely. He’d been her first and she’d known nothing of how to please a man or what he liked. Yet, with Duff she’d easily gotten over her fears and enjoyed learning his body—learning her body. But he was different. Broader in every sense of the word. She was different too. Yet, not so much that she had gotten far from the girl who loved him, body, heart and soul. Her eyes misted and she looked out the window, seeing nothing but her raw emotion. Having him here was torture.
These buried needs and desires weren’t the reason why she called him out here. She needed to be sure she remembered what they shared was in the past…way in the past and she had no longing to find out if he could still make her squirm with need.
“Are you going to tell me what we’re doing?” he said in a deep, husky voice.
“No, but I’m going to show you. Pull over here.” She pointed to an area along the fence.
He parked and shut off the engine. She got out and motioned for him to follow her.
“Well, you don’t have a shotgun so I’d say my life is safe.”
His smile turned her inside out.
She turned her cheek so he wouldn’t see her grin. “I don’t want you dead, Duff.”
“You just wish I’d leave town again.”
“Is that in the cards?”
“Probably not. I’m getting settled.”
There was an entire collection of emotions that raced through her, from satisfaction to anger, to confusion. “But a man like you, a Texas Ranger, won’t have enough excitement here in Buttermilk Valley. I’m sure you’re used to hard crime. You’ll grow bored and see another path that offers you the challenge you crave.”
“If the tables were turned, I would have supported your decision to leave town, Blake. I wouldn’t have shut you out of my life.”
She turned on him, wrapping her arms over her chest. “You made your decision. I support that. In fact, I’m mighty glad you left because it gave me the space I needed. What were we thinking? That we’d always be here, together?” She snorted.
“Did you bring me here to sucker punch me with your words?”
“Do you really think I brought you out here to the farm so we could talk about the past? It’s right where it belongs, over.” She hoped he didn’t hear the strain to her voice. How could he even begin to understand how hurt and devastated she’d been when he left town? She’d felt foolish that all of the promises they’d made together were just something to keep him occupied until he graduated high school. She’d thought what they’d shared had been much, much more. They’d been best friends. “I’d rather not have this subject brought up again.”
“Now don’t go and get your panties all in a bunch. I’m only saying that it was a surprise that I got a call from you, telling me that you needed to see me.”
“Not only are my panties not bunched, but you’re mistaken on what I said on the phone. I said that I needed you to come out here and take a look at something, not me needing to see you. You’re the sheriff, right? So who else was I supposed to call. You say you want to keep peace, so here’s your chance.”
“Why do you have blood smeared across your hand?”
“Exactly. That’s what I’m trying to show you.” She sighed. “Now, do you think it’s possible that we can keep things on a professional level?”
“Yes, ma’am.” His words were a little too condescending.
She rolled her eyes. “We have to climb the fence.”
“I think I can still manage.”
They made their way over the fence and walked about thirty feet. “There.” The smell reached them far before the bloody sight came into view. Although she still felt a hurtful jab in her chest at seeing the young calf dead and laying in a crimson puddle, she was able to keep her tears at bay. She didn’t want to show any weakness in front of Duff. She’d done a helluva job holding her emotions together so far.
Duff approached the dead animal, his silence loud in her ears. He stood there for a long time, examining the calf from that standpoint, then he bent to his haunches, yet he didn’t touch anything. “Do you have a problem with coyotes?” he finally asked.
“We have in the past. We had a pregnant cow killed a few months back. It was different than this though.”
“Different?”
“Her heart and liver were eaten. There were claw marks around her legs. This calf wasn’t killed by a coyote. They usually attack the neck, flanks, and hind quarters, but most of this cow’s injuries are to the neck like it has been stabbed with a knife.” Her stomach turned as she remembered how she’d walked up on the calf, seeing the blood every
where. She’d turned the motionless body gently over, looking for any signs of life, but when Blake saw the gaping wounds, she knew the calf was dead. At first, she’d been succumbed to an overwhelming sadness, but that was an emotion that wouldn’t do any good. Now, she was angry.
He nodded, but didn’t say a word. He stood and scrubbed his jaw, surveying the land. “Could anyone get on the land without one of your hands seeing them? I know you still have staff quarters. Are any of your hands staying there?”
“Yes, Amos lives there and keeps a close eye on the comings and goings. We have chickens along the backside of the property that put up quite a fuss when anyone gets near. I used to have an old dog that would bark if any intruders, including coyotes, were close. She died a while back. Amos said the cow wasn’t here this morning, so that means whomever did this must have done it later in the day. Yet, it’s obvious who the murderer is.”
He scratched his temple and shook his head. “Don’t go assuming.”
“Come on, Duff. Who else would do this? Someone killed one of my cows—they slaughtered her.”
“You can’t just blame someone,” he said, his voice low and husky. “Hell, this could be the stunt of a teenager for all we know.”
“You know better.” She sighed.
“Not until I look into things further. In the meantime, let me take care of it and you don’t go visiting Ethan, ya hear?”
“I won’t visit him. I’ll just sit here quietly and watch my farm being destroyed.” She threw up her hands. Maybe she shouldn’t have called Duff.
“That’s not what I’m asking. I’m the sheriff and I’m only wanting you to let me do my job, not tell me what you think the conclusion is.” There was a good amount of bitterness to his words.
“I thought by calling you out here, you’d see that Ethan…well, that he’s…”
“Your ex-lover.”
The air swooshed from her lungs like a balloon popping. She blinked and steadied her nerves. Had she thought he wouldn’t find out? “You’ve heard?”
He nodded. “Was it a secret?”
“No, but I-I.” She blew out a long breath. “Because Ethan and I were in a relationship, it shouldn’t change the fact that he’s bullying me into selling my land.”
“Because you and Ethan were lovers does make things a bit more complicated.” He nailed her with his steely gaze. “You might have clued me in on this information earlier today.”
“I don’t see how—”
“Don’t even try it, Blake. You know it does matter.” He shook his head. “You and Ethan? Wow. I’m still trying to absorb the idea.”
“I don’t owe you any explanation,” she sputtered.
“I’m not asking for one, but if the tables were turned and I hooked up with Emily after you left town, would you have questions?” One thick brow curved up.
She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. He was right. “Fair is fair, but it’s not how you think. We didn’t hook up right after you left…”
“Before?” His mouth thinned.
“No, and you know better. I meant, it didn’t happen after you left. In fact, it was two years ago and we were only hanging out, talking about old times and one thing led to another. It didn’t last long before I realized—”
“What?” he gritted his teeth.
Nibbling her bottom lip, she knew she couldn’t tell him that whether it was Ethan or another man, she always compared them to Duff and they never stacked up, not even close. “I just wasn’t ready for what he wanted.” It was the truth.
“Marriage?”
She nodded. “He started pressuring me and I had no choice but to break up with him.”
“Did you love him?” His voice was thick and throaty.
“I did, or at least I thought I did. Now I can’t understand why I even dated him.”
“That makes two of us,” he mumbled.
Bringing her chin up, she targeted him with the gamut of emotions rushing through her. “Keep in mind you made the decision to leave, you and you alone. You dropped everything and not once did you ask me how I felt.”
“I didn’t think I’d have to ask you to not sleep with my best friend.”
She stomped toward him, lifting her chin high. “Are you jealous?”
“Damn right I am!”
“I didn’t—wait, what?”
“I never kidded myself into thinking you were living like a nun, but I guess when I heard about you and Ethan, well, it was a lot like alcohol being poured onto an open wound. But it’s none of my business. I lost my right to say anything the moment I left Buttermilk Valley. You had—have—every right to be happy.”
“I totally agree. That’s why I was burning your things. I’m done with the past, done with wondering what could have been.” She hurried across the tufted patches of grass, climbed over the fence and had made it to his truck when she heard the heavy pounding of his footsteps. She turned in time to see him stomping toward her, a strange look marring his masculine features. “What?”
She didn’t have time to put two and two together before he was upon her, dragging her hard against his steel frame and lowering his mouth over hers. The kiss was full of wild passion as his fingers dug into her waist. She moaned in protest and pushed against his chest, but when his tongue swept past the seam of her lips, her objection became more like whimpers of delight. He tasted good—minty with a hint of sweetness. His strong arms cradled her close. He was such a brawny man that he engulfed her small frame, and she felt nothing but safe and secure. He always had that effect on her. When life was rough, this was where she wanted to be, with Duff, tucked up next to him. It was so easy to lean into him, allow the connection between them to run its course.
His hand moved upward, his fingers dialing havoc on her spine and she sunk closer into him, a deeper moan escaping from her chest. Her nipples tingled and swelled, aching to feel his touch. Her inner thighs throbbed and turned moist. She wanted him more now than ever.
Roving her hands up his broad chest, she palmed his warm cheeks, the scruffiness of his beard teased her fingers. She lifted high on tiptoes, kissing him fully, opening up to him. His hand tangled into her hair, pressing her closer, his tongue swirling around the cove of her mouth. His other hand squeezed her breast, rubbing his thumb over her nipple through the material of her shirt and thin bra. The tingling turned to torment and her knees weakened. He continued to knead the pale mound until her heart pounded so fast, she thought it’d bounce right out of her chest.
He pushed her against the door of the truck, their bodies pressed together tightly, his hand still massaging her breast. She churned her hips over the bulge behind his zipper, amazed at how hard he was so quickly. Then she heard the unsnapping and unzipping of her jeans, the gentle touch of his calloused hands low on her stomach and she waited with bated breath. Oh how she wanted his fingers on her, inside of her. She was on fire with need and her juices were flowing, readying her to take things further. She could do this…wanted this. It didn’t matter what happened after or the price they would have to pay. She could live with the facts as long as he filled her and brought her pleasure.
But she couldn’t…
Not like this.
With a moan that spoke volumes about her pain, she gave him a push. He didn’t move. “Stop, Duff,” she whispered.
He lifted his head, his gaze full of a brewing sexual storm and his lips moist from her kisses. His breathing was fast and ragged, his chest lifting and falling. “What, sweetheart?” he groaned.
“I won’t do this.” She gave him one small push and he took a step back. She quickly did up her jeans as her pulse pounded in her ears. Her body craved cowboy, but the little bit of logic left in her mind couldn’t endure the pain of allowing him in again, only to lose him.
“I-I guess I moved too fast.” He swiped the back of his hand across his mouth as if he wanted to erase the taste of her.
“Do you think now that you’ve decided to come back, we can take
up where we left off? You got to run off and sow your wild oats, do everything that you wanted to do, and now you’re ready to be my cowboy again? It doesn’t work that way I’m afraid.”
“You’re right. This isn’t fair to you.” His jaw softened.
“How long do you plan to stay, Duff? Isn’t there another adrenaline rush calling your name?” she snapped, and once the last word left her lips, she’d realized how horrible they sounded.
He dropped his hands to his sides and his gaze filled with something akin to sorrow. “Do you have any idea of the sacrifices I’ve made? Do you think it was easy for me to walk away when all I wanted to do was stay here with you? You’ll never understand what it was like in Iraq. All that I had was a picture of you to keep me going.”
“Duff?” She took a step forward, but he gave his head a jerky shake.
“Look, Blake, I realize I made some mistakes. I left. It doesn’t matter why, I know that. I was foolish enough to believe that I could come back home. Trust me, I wasn’t expecting for us to pick up where we left off, but I was hoping we could be friends. But I see that might be too difficult of a hurdle. You asked earlier if I’m capable of keeping things on a professional level and the answer is I don’t know, but I’ll sure as hell try’. I’ll find out who did this to the calf, that I promise.” He adjusted his hat and rounded the front of the truck. “You ready?”
She swallowed the bitterness in her throat. “I’ll walk. I could use the fresh air.”
He nodded, climbed into his truck and she watched until it disappeared over the hill.
Some things never changed.
Those were her thoughts when she made it to the house and stood at the sink, washing the calf’s blood from her hand.
The crazy, foolish love she had for Duff Tyler remained. Yes, it was plain and simple. She still loved him.
Blake stared at the red-tinted water swirling around the basin. Her eyes misted with tears and she was a hair’s width from allowing her body to drop to the cold tiles and let the sobbing commence. But she couldn’t. Once she did, the tears wouldn’t stop.
The Lawman's Promise Page 6
