A Heart to Call Home

by Amanda Torrey

  Reed wanted a shower—needed to wash away his smell and the wild emotions of the day. But she’d have to face her sisters again to get to the bathroom, so instead, she tucked herself into bed, allowing his scent to be the lullaby which sent her off to sleep.

  ***

  With sunlight streaming through the window, Reed was treated to the promise of a new day, a step forward on her life’s path, and a raging headache.

  She stumbled to the bathroom to retrieve headache medication, barely opening her eyes.

  Grateful for the absence of sound, Reed stripped out of her clothes and showered. Her sisters must have heeded her warning.

  Smart ladies.

  Reed didn’t know what she’d have done if they had been there when she left her room, but the thought of all those acres of land she owned and the easy disposal of bodies didn’t escape her thinking.

  She had a million things to get done in order to stay on track, but before she could tackle the world, she needed coffee.

  Counting every drip of coffee as it splashed into the pot, and eagerly anticipating the caffeine rush, Reed didn’t want to lift her head from her hands when she heard the door open.

  But she did.

  “What are you still doing here?”

  Reed pushed her chair back, ready to do battle.

  Paisley held up her hand in an attempt to stop Reed’s attack. Reed slumped back in her chair, unable—or maybe unwilling—to battle at this point.

  Dressed in the short business skirt that gave Paisley her reputation in the courtroom, she oozed sex appeal and power. Her legs alone could win any legal battle, but she was legendary for far more than her physicality. Yes, her opposition painted her as a sharp-witted seductress who used her form-fitting clothes and sensual voice to distract the legal teams and to win over juries, but Reed knew from losing many-a-sibling-battle that Paisley’s power came from her deep intelligence and her capacity for seeing every angle of every situation.

  “Before you go all bat-shit crazy on me, I want you to know that I’m leaving. The car is packed.”

  Though she should feel victorious and justified, Reed’s sudden deflated ego had her spine curving in depression and defeat.

  “That doesn’t look like the most comfortable travel outfit,” Reed attempted to joke. She was an ass. A complete, horrible ass. She should have welcomed her sisters to town—not fought them at every turn.

  “I was working this morning. On your behalf.” Paisley poured herself a cup of coffee from Reed’s coveted, freshly brewed pot. “Unfortunately, the town is within its legal right. Their town by-laws are well-established and within legal limits. You may stand a chance at having them grant you another extension, especially if you plea under the Wilderness Protection Act and set up part of your acreage as a protected area. My advice would be to be sure to get the work done within the time outlined.”

  “Couldn’t you have worn a shorter skirt?” Reed buried her head in her hands. Her temples pulsated against her palms.

  The clink of the mug on the counter signaled Paisley’s annoyance. “You know those are just rumors, right?”

  “Hey, a girl can hope, can she not?”

  “You don’t need to hope, Ree-Ree. You’ve got this.” Paisley rested a hand on Reed’s shoulder. “I was wrong to doubt you. Please know it had nothing to do with my perception of your capabilities. I was worried. Little sister type of worry.”

  Reed turned in her chair so she could look at her sister.

  “Why were you trying to work a deal with that asshole at the fair? You should have known better than to stab me in the back like that.”

  “You think I’d stab you in the back? I’d hunt down anyone who tried to hurt you. You should know that.”

  “I know what I heard.” Well, the parts she heard, anyway.

  “I don’t think you do.” Paisley moved to the other side of the room, gazing out the window before turning back toward Reed. “He was insisting that you sell the property to him below market value. He had some BS line about having connections on the Board, and if you didn’t voluntarily relinquish, they’d run you through court, leaving you penniless. I guess he did some research into your financial situation. He wants the land, Reed, and he thought it would be an easy fix to have the town take it over. Since that hasn’t worked out, I think he’s afraid you’ll win. He has resorted to intimidation tactics and questionable business offers. But regardless, he made an offer. Notice I didn’t bother bringing it to you? It was a shitty deal.”

  Reed resisted the urge to rush over there and give him a front row seat to the “Don’t Mess With Me” world tour. She had excelled in her career by planning her moves carefully, not allowing her pride and ego to push her into acting on her foolish impulses.

  She had benefited more times than she could count simply by being underestimated.

  This would be another of those times.

  “Thank you for trying,” Reed finally said. She tried hard to mean the words. She wasn’t crazy about people fighting her battles for her, but it couldn’t hurt for the town to realize she had adequate legal counsel on board.

  “I look forward to a complimentary stay in the best cottage on property.” Paisley smiled, then moved toward Reed for a hug. “Take care, big sis.”

  Reed choked back tears. Damn emotions.

  “You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.” Reed managed to utter the words, but her voice squeaked.

  Paisley laughed.

  “Thanks for the heartfelt offer, but Boston is calling my name. I’m all set with these dirt roads and all the cow farms.”

  “I don’t know—the longer you’re here, the more they grow on you,” Reed joked.

  “That’s what I’m afraid of!”

  Paisley gave Reed one final squeeze, left her mug soaking in the sink, and blew a kiss from the door.

  “I’m only a text away.”

  Reed’s apology lingered on her tongue. She couldn’t quite get it out past the lump that formed in her throat as she watched her sister leaving.

  As Paisley backed out of the driveway, Reed’s mind cleared enough to realize she was alone.

  “Paisley! Paisley, wait!” Reed rushed down the porch steps, twisting her ankle in the process, but hobbling forward just the same.

  Paisley didn’t stop. The bitch laughed and waved as she pulled onto the street and took off.

  “Hey, roomie!” Simplicity came skipping out from the field behind one of the larger cottages, carrying a thick bouquet of wild flowers.

  “Hurry and call Paisley. She forgot you.”

  “She didn’t forget me, silly. I’m staying. To help you.”

  Reed’s gut ached as intensely as if a bowling ball had been flung at her belly.

  “Excuse me?”

  “You need me. Wait until you see what I did for you in that beautiful field. You had so many stones back there—I was able to build a gorgeous altar/meditation area.”

  Reed closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and counted to ten. Then twenty. Then fifty.

  When she opened her eyes, Simplicity was still talking about the decorating plans she had for the different cottages.

  Reed resumed her counting.

  “Hey look, your man has come to sweep you off your feet!”

  Reed lost track of what number she was up to at the sound of Simplicity’s words and the sudden fear they inspired.

  “I haven’t even had a cup of coffee yet,” Reed lamented, struggling to determine what her next step should be.

  She hadn’t given Rogan’s presence or absence any real consideration yet this morning, considering all the sister drama and Rogan-triggered-depression she had been indulging in.

  She was surprised he showed up.

  She forced a smile—well, half forced, since he did indeed make her insides tickle—and turned toward him, struggling to smooth her errant hair in an effort to look somewhat sane and put-together.

  She needn’t have bothered. He walked to hi
s SUV—parked on the road, not even in the driveway—and drove off without looking in her direction.

  “Uh oh. Trouble in paradise?”

  “I need coffee.” Reed stumbled to the kitchen, downed her lukewarm coffee—black—then poured another.

  “Call him. I’m sure whatever is going on with the two of you can be solved with a little dirty talk.”

  Simplicity moaned and taunted with words Reed found shocking coming out of her little sister’s mouth.

  “Where’d you get that mouth?”

  “It’s a special talent. I can teach you if you want.”

  “No, that’s quite all right.” Reed poured herself another cup of coffee, hoping the caffeine would give her the clarity of mind she so desperately craved.

  “Slow down, cowgirl. Your blood pressure will be through the roof.” Simplicity reached for Reed’s cup.

  Reed growled.

  “Okaaaaay. I can see you’re feeling a bit territorial with your cup of poison.”

  “It’s nectar from the gods,” Reed mumbled before resuming her frantic sipping.

  “Freedom. Honestly. Please tell me what’s going on with you. I know we haven’t been super close over the last several years, but I’ve never seen you like this.”

  “Like what?” Reed challenged. “Crazy?”

  “Well, I wasn’t gonna say it, but yeah. A little.” Simplicity softened her words with a smile that could light up the heart of a demon. “You’re always so… perfect.”

  “Ha. Perfect. Bet you think I’ve always had my life all put together, too.”

  “Haven’t you?”

  Reed raised her brows and hoped her smile wasn’t too maniacal.

  “To the outside world, I’m sure my life was just freaking perfect. Great job, great penthouse apartment in the best Manhattan neighborhood, competent assistants, a handsome and popular husband. But for what? To end up nearly broke with nothing but a car payment that was once a drop in the bucket but may soon be the death of me?”

  “You have this amazing property, Freedom. You’ll be so successful—I can feel it.”

  “You can, huh?”

  “Yes. It’s in the rocks and the flowers and the bark of the trees. Every living thing on this property celebrates your arrival. Even the little houses are eager for their revival. You will make this place great. And I’ll get to witness it. The rebirth!”

  Reed couldn’t help but smile as Simplicity danced around the kitchen with her bouquet. Her flights of fancy were amusing, yes, but also a little inspirational.

  Simplicity saw something in this place that Reed had seen when she had made the spontaneous decision to purchase it.

  Somewhere along the line, she had started to lose that special feeling.

  Though Reed wasn’t one to communicate with the leaves and the flowers, she couldn’t help but feel grateful that Simplicity did. Whatever that meant.

  “You know, Simplicity. I love your ideas for the Victorian-style cottages.”

  “You do?” Simplicity bounced up and down, her long skirt billowing with each movement.

  “I do.”

  Simplicity wrapped her arms around Reed’s neck and hugged tight. It took a moment to inch the cup onto the counter, but once her hands were free, Reed was able to dig deeper into her mother’s soul and find the joy in hugging back.

  ***

  Reed had known all along that having Simplicity as a houseguest would mean extra work for Reed, and Simplicity hadn’t proven her wrong.

  Every meal had to be prepared by Reed. Eating didn’t occur to Simplicity unless she was reminded. She got caught up in her artful activities to the point where she had to be called several times before she’d respond.

  Reed had to remind Simplicity to shower, and even placed the towels out for her so she’d follow through.

  Though Reed wasn’t big on nurturing or caring for others, she had to admit that taking care of Simplicity helped distract her from the emptiness she felt every day from Rogan’s icy reaction toward her.

  Not that he was reacting to her at all, actually. That was the problem. He showed up for work every morning, left for lunch, came back and worked late into the evening. His children didn’t come to visit him at work, and Dylan had missed his Monday session with her for the first time since they started the reading lessons.

  Things couldn’t get any frostier between them.

  She tried to reassure herself. Hey, at least he was getting the work done. He had brought in an expert to take care of the sewage system so they’d pass the inspection—the final hump. He had left the invoice on her kitchen table when she had run out to grab some fresh veggies from the farmer’s market in town. She wanted to thank him for taking care of it, but he carefully avoided her.

  Not having him for a distraction helped her get her work done, anyway. She even had time during the long, lonely nights to work more on her marketing plan.

  And she wasn’t pulling him away from his kids anymore.

  If one of those pesky “missing him” thoughts entered her mind (every hour or so), she was quick to dismiss it and put in some physical labor.

  The cottages were shaping up beautifully—better than she could have imagined. Within just a few days, Simplicity had helped her to hang curtains, select bedding, and begin the harrowing process of refinishing whatever furniture they could. Simplicity had a great eye for rehabbing things, as it turned out. When they needed something new, Simplicity was in charge of hitting up the local second-hand stores, since she could make a dumpy old thing into a work of art.

  With so many unanticipated problems—thanks to the interference of the town—Reed’s money was quickly dwindling.

  One more setback would have her very, very worried.

  For now Reed focused on the things she could make magnificent, while planning in the back of her mind for every challenge she needed to face.

  Yes, not having Rogan as a distraction was better for everyone involved.

  Even her.

  ***

  Rogan settled in for an early bedtime. His mother had once again taken the kids, so he was left alone with the empty house and his dangerous thoughts.

  So many times over the course of the past week he had wanted to send his pride on a hike and make things good with Reed. But she had made her feelings clear.

  She didn’t want him.

  He had never worked as hard as he had this week. Pushing his muscles to the point of exhaustion prevented him from kicking the shit out of the walls and trees, not to mention whatever fool crossed his path.

  Cole had been calling, constantly upping the salary he offered. Tempting as it was, and though things were over with Reed, he couldn’t abandon her. And he couldn’t work anymore than he already was without further jeopardizing his relationship with his kids.

  He was grateful for his mother this week, more than any other time. He could only put on a calm, reasonable face around his kids for so long before his skin would crack and they’d see the shithead demon beneath his collected exterior.

  So when he finally managed to get his sore muscles comfortable in bed, to say he was annoyed at the doorbell blaring would be an understatement.

  He didn’t bother hiding his irritation as he practically ripped the door off its hinges.

  Seeing Reed standing there made him unaware of every muscle in his body—except certain ones.

  He was a fucking moron.

  She was dressed in pajamas. No bra. Her nipples strained against the thin fabric, and the only fucking thought he had was of taking her in his arms, kissing the panic off her face, and pounding into her until they both collapsed in a relaxed heap.

  “I didn’t know where else to go.” Reed straightened her shoulders, but not before he caught a glimpse of something he never imagined he’d see on her face. Fear.

  He moved out of the doorway so she could enter. Her sister followed behind, sobbing and crying about a cow head and blood.

  He waited for the story to make s
ense.

  “I really hate to ask—you have no idea how much I hate to ask—but would you mind if we stayed here for tonight? I can’t face it tonight.”

  “A cow head?” Bewildered, Rogan scratched his bearded jaw. He hadn’t bothered to shave all week, which had irritated his mother beyond reason.

  “I’m afraid so. That’s what I think it was, anyway. Didn’t get close enough to really study it. The trail of blood scared the living hell out of Simplicity, who thought she was going to find me butchered in my room.”

  “Jesus Christ,” Rogan muttered.

  Rage formed a red filter in front of his eyes. Who would dare to enter her home and vandalize it in such a way? Who the hell would want to terrorize her like that?

  Who the hell was he going to kill?

  “Come on, I’ll get you set up with a bed.”

  “Are you sure it’s okay? We didn’t take the time to grab our clothes, so we can’t really go anywhere else. Besides, you’re the only one I trust.”

  Reed looked everywhere but his eyes.

  “Yeah, it’s fine. Come on.”

  He set Simplicity up in Dylan’s room, since he had the biggest bed of all the kids. He then led Reed to his room.

  “Are you sure?” She hesitated at the doorway.

  “Yeah. I’ll take the couch.”

  Her jaw tightened for a second, but he paid her no mind as he slipped into the pair of jeans he had left draped over his bureau. He felt her watching him, and he wished he were whipping his boxers off rather than covering them up.

  “Where are you going?” Reed’s voice sounded small, young.

  He wanted to wrap her in his arms. To kiss her forehead and tell her everything would be all right. To have more than animal sex—to make love. Tenderly. Passionately. To let her know that he felt more for her in the short time he had known her than he had ever felt for any other woman.