Rayna accepted the basket, looking at it in surprise. The delicious smell coming from inside made her stomach grumble in hunger. “Please,” she finally said, “come in for a moment.”
Cara smiled, stepping into the house. “Thank you. I can’t stay too long. I promised my granddaughter I would take her riding after school today, but before that I have a couple of things that I need to do in town.” Looking past her, Cara said, “This house has always been one of my favorites around here. So large and inviting. I was happy to see the last owners kept it up the way that it should be.”
Rayna motioned towards the kitchen, still in shock that Cara Caldwell was standing in her foyer. “I’ve always loved it here,” she absently replied, and could have kicked herself the moment the words left her mouth. Ryder, Creed, and Katy were already a part of the clusterfuck she was in. There was no way she was going to allow their mother to be brought into it as well. She should not have even let her in the house. What the hell was she thinking? “Cara...”
Cara turned to look at her, understanding in her gaze, “Rayna, it’s okay. Let’s just go sit in the kitchen and eat one of these muffins. It has been a long time since I last saw you. Please, just give me fifteen minutes, and then I will go.”
Rayna’s eyes widened in surprise, and she took a hesitant step towards her. “You know who I am?” she asked. “Did Ryder tell you?”
“I’ve known who you were since the moment I saw you in town three weeks ago, child. I didn’t need anyone to tell me.”
“You can’t be here, Cara,” Rayna whispered, “It isn’t safe. If something were to happen to you, I would never forgive myself.”
Cara walked over, and gently cupped Rayna’s chin in her hand. “Unfortunately, that is not your decision. I have lived a long, happy, and fulfilling life. God will take me when he is ready. It won’t matter if I’m here with you, in town, or back home. It’s not up to anyone but Him.” Tugging Rayna close, Cara enveloped her in her arms and held her tightly. “I’m so glad you’ve come home, sweet Rayna. And I am so sorry that you are here alone this time. Maybe someday, you will tell me your story?”
She could not hold it in any longer. Rayna’s body shook as she began to sob. She missed her parents so much. Her mother used to insist on giving all three of them a hug every night before bed, even when they were teenagers. Age did not matter, her mom always said, love did. “Someday,” she promised, “if I make it through this.”
Cara leaned back, smiling gently, “I have no doubt that you will, Macey Fuller, because no matter what you may think, you are not alone.”
“Rayna,” she choked out, “my name is Rayna now. Rayna Williams.”
“Rayna,” Cara said, patting her shoulder lightly, “I like it. It’s strong, like you.” Stepping back, she took the basket that Rayna clasped tightly in one hand from her, “Now, let’s eat.”
Rayna laughed softly, wiping the tears from her eyes, before following the other woman into her kitchen. As they chatted over muffins and coffee, all she could think about was that she had made a terrible mistake coming back to Serenity Springs. She was drawing a madman to this small town, to a family who accepted her for who she was, no matter if it was Macey Fuller or Rayna Williams. For the first time since she began working in law enforcement, Rayna began to rethink her plan to bring Diego down. Maybe what she and the FBI were planning was wrong. Maybe there was another way. There had to be. Because as much as she wanted to get Diego Cortez, it would kill her if she destroyed the Caldwell’s lives in the process.
By the time Cara stood to leave, Rayna’s mind was made up. She was going to call a meeting with the agents in town and tell them she had changed her mind. They would have to find another way to get to the mob boss. She was leaving Serenity Springs, and they were coming with her.
Chapter 18
Ryder talked softly to the dark brown mare that lay on the bed of hay, her breathing labored as she struggled to birth the foal who was coming too soon. Speaking gently to her, he watched as her eyes rolled up inside the lids, and a loud squeal of pain left her mouth. He ran a gentle hand down her neck and over her belly, wishing there was more he could do for her. Caiden would be there soon, and then he would take over. Something was wrong, and Ryder was afraid the foal was breach. He knew the steps to take if it was, but felt more comfortable with Caiden handling it. “Hold on, gal,” he crooned, “help is on the way.”
“What’s wrong with her?”
Rayna’s voice hit him hard, and Ryder fought the urge to turn and look at her. Keeping his concentration on the mare, he replied, “I think the foal is breach. Not only that, but it’s early. Caiden will be here soon to take care of her.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?” she asked. He heard her moving closer, and then she was there, kneeling beside him and reaching out to stroke the mare’s nose. “What’s her name?”
“Blue Moon,” Ryder said, as he ran a hand over her back, “but we call her Blue.”
“Because of her beautiful eyes.”
“Yeah,” he said shortly. Blue’s eyes were a bright sapphire color, and although blue eyes were not necessarily uncommon for horses, they were unusual for a horse of her dark coloring. He was hoping the foal had them too.
“Hush, baby girl,” Rayna whispered, stroking a hand down Blue’s nose again. “Hush. I know you are in pain, but it won’t be for much longer.”
Ryder watched her out of the corner of his eye, wanting nothing more than to slip the lone strand of hair that had escaped from her ponytail back behind her ear. Remembering how soft it was made his fingers itch to touch it again, and he had to bite back a groan when his gaze traveled down the silky skin of her cheek to her full lips. Lips he desperately wanted to taste again, but with his tongue this time.
“Sorry it took so long for me to get here.” His brother’s voice interrupted his thoughts, and brought his mind back to the mare writhing in pain in front of him.
“She’s not doing very well,” he said, making himself move away from Blue so Caiden could get closer. “I have a feeling you are going to have to turn the foal.”
Five minutes later, Caiden was agreeing with him. “I’m going to need you and...” his brow furrowed when he looked at Rayna. “Do I know you?”
“Her name’s Rayna,” Ryder said gruffly.
“Rayna,” Caiden replied absently, his attention already back on the mare. “Hold Blue’s head down, and both of you do what you can to keep her calm.”
Ryder leaned over Blue’s belly, stroking a hand down her chest as he talked softly into her ear, while Rayna continued to run a hand over her nose and neck.
Caiden swore roughly, and Ryder grunted when Blue moved quickly, striking him in the leg with one of her hooves. “Almost there,” Caiden rasped, swearing softly again, but saying, “There we go. Now, how about we have a baby?” It wasn’t long before a beautiful black and white foal lay next to her mother.
“What do you think?” Ryder asked Rayna after Blue and her baby were cleaned up, and the foal was nursing. “Ever seen anything like it?”
Rayna shook her head slowly, her eyes never leaving the foal. “No,” she whispered, “never.”
He chuckled softly as he watched his brother finish up with the mare. Now that the birthing was over, and everything was fine, he was exhausted.
“Now, she just needs a name,” Caiden said, shutting the stall door behind him.
Rayna rested her hands on top of the door, her chin on her hands as she watched the little filly. “Heaven.”
“What?”
“Her name should be Heaven, as in A Breath of Heaven, like the song. That’s what she reminds me of.”
“What song?” Caiden asked, “I don’t think I’ve heard that one.”
Ryder saw Rayna stiffen, before turning around to look at him. “It’s just a song I know.”
“It’s a song I wrote when I was seventeen,” Ryder told his brother, “but that’s a story for another day. It’s late, an
d I need some sleep, but first I want to talk to Rayna.”
Caiden looked back and forth between Ryder and Rayna, before shaking his head. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
After he left, Ryder walked over to the front doors of the barn that were wide open, and looked up into the dark sky. “After I found out about the accident, I spent a lot of time outside at night, watching the stars, wondering if you were all up there looking down on us.” Turning back, his heart skipped a beat at the sight of her leaning against one of the stalls, her arms crossed in front of her, and one leg raised, the heel of her boot against the wood behind her. Leaving the open doorway, he closed the distance between them, until he was so close they were almost touching. “I was so lost at first, Rayna. So upset, and angry at the world. I cared about all of you so much, you were a huge part of my life, and then you were just gone.”
“Olivia was gone.” Rayna murmured, “and you loved her.”
Ryder moved closer, until their bodies touched, and he grasped the top of the stall door. “Yes,” he admitted, “she was my best friend.” Rayna ducked her chin, lowering her gaze from his. Ryder traced her cheek lightly with a finger, before cupping it gently in the palm of his hand and raising her eyes back to his. “Your sister is gone, Rayna, and as much as that hurts, we are both still here. We can’t let the memory of her stand in the way of something that could be wonderful between us.”
“There is more than just Olivia’s memory standing in our way, Ryder,” Rayna protested.
“Only if you let it.” Ryder was tired of talking. Fuck it, he thought, leaning down to capture her mouth with his. He wanted to touch her, to feel her skin against his, to forget about everything except the way it felt when he was near her.
Ryder lightly traced her lips with his tongue, prodding gently, coaxing them apart. At first she was resistant, but then Rayna’s mouth opened on a soft moan, welcoming him inside. He took swift advantage, slipping his tongue past her teeth, finding and tangling it with hers. She tasted so damn good.
Rayna’s leg dropped from the wall behind her, and she pressed into him, clasping her hands tightly to his hips. A shudder ran through him when he felt her hand slide under his shirt and up his back. Her touch drove him wild, and he pushed his hard, aching cock into her stomach, hoping to relieve some of the pressure building up inside. Tearing his mouth from hers, he groaned her name, burying his face in her neck. “I want you, Rayna,” he growled. “I need to be inside of you.”
Rayna stiffened, and her hand stilled on his back. “I can’t,” she finally whispered. “I’m sorry, Ryder, I just can’t right now.”
Right now. She said not right now, but she didn’t say that it would never happen. Her dark eyes were wide, deep swirls of brown full of unmasked desire, and he could feel her body trembling against his. Nodding, he muttered, “Then you better leave.” When she hesitated, he chuckled, “I am agreeing to let you go tonight, even though I know you want me just as much as I want you, because not only do I respect your decision, but I don’t want to take you in the barn that is close to where my parents are sleeping. But, baby, if you don’t get the hell out of here, all bets are off.”
Stepping back, Ryder allowed her to skirt around him and move quickly towards the door, but just before she reached it, he said, “Come to The Cavern Friday night.”
Her hand resting on the barn door, Rayna turned back to look at him. “Why?”
He grinned, “Because I’m singing with one of the local bands, and I want to see you.” When she didn’t reply, he coaxed, “Come on, don’t make me beg.”
Rayna laughed, “Like you have ever had to beg for anything in your life, Caldwell.”
“I would if I knew it would get you there.”
Shaking her head, Rayna bit her bottom lip before saying, “Maybe.” She was gone before Ryder could respond.
Chapter 19
Rayna walked into The Cavern five nights later wondering what in the hell she was doing there. When she went to the Caldwell Ranch on Sunday, it was supposed to be to say goodbye. She had managed to get word to Lyssa that she wanted to have a meeting with her and Nathan as soon as possible. She was just waiting to hear back on a time and place. From what Rayna was able to find out, Nate normally came into town on Friday and Saturday, so she was hoping to have an answer soon. Until then, she needed to continue the charade, just in case anything changed.
The Cavern was a bar and grill opened five years ago by a couple of friends, Dale and Jack, who moved to Serenity Springs from Seattle, Washington. Originally, it was supposed to be just a bar, but two years into their venture, Dale jumped ship and returned to the city, leaving Jack full rights to everything. Jack was fond of good food, so he decided to add the grill, and now business was thriving. All of which Rayna heard about through the town grapevine.
Standing just inside the door, she allowed her eyes to adjust to the dim interior, as she scanned the building looking for Ryder. The band was not on stage yet, but there was a slow song playing, and several couples swayed back and forth in each other’s arms. Once again, she wondered what the hell she was doing there when she spotted the entire Caldwell family sitting at a long table on the other side of the dance floor. Just as she was about to turn and run, she felt an arm slide around her waist. “Glad you could make it,” a deep voice said near her ear, causing a shiver to run down her spine. Ryder. She was not in the room five minutes, and the man had already found her. So much for sneaking out.
“I came for the food and the music.” And to see him maybe one last time, but he didn’t need to know that. She almost did not come, but it had been so long since she heard him sing. The last time was several years ago when she found out he was playing at a small bar just outside of Dallas. She was unable to fight the urge to see him, and had gone, making sure to hide in the back. Unfortunately, it did not last long, because he almost caught her there. She’d left before he could recognize her, all the time wishing life had turned out so much differently.
“Sure you did,” Ryder responded with a grin, guiding her toward his family’s table. “Katy saved you a seat.”
“Oh, she didn’t have to do that. I just planned on sitting at the bar.”
“Good luck with that. My mother admitted that she knows who you are, and we had to tell her what was going on. We were trying to keep everything far away from her, but you know my mother. She isn’t going to let you out of her sight tonight.” His blue eyes twinkled down at hers when he said, “She has decided that you are either moving in with us where we can keep you safe, or one of us is staying with you. Being the gentleman that I am, I volunteered to do the moving. Except, I refuse to sleep on that little couch of yours again. Good thing the bed is big enough for both of us.”
Rayna’s eyes narrowed, and she growled, “You better be kidding me, Ryder Caldwell.”
Throwing his head back, Ryder laughed loudly, causing several people to turn and look at them. Rayna just shook her head, finally accepting defeat...for now. Sighing, she asked, “Does everyone in your family know who I am?”
“Yes,” Ryder replied, “but I don’t understand why that’s a problem? You want to get Cortez here. He needs to know who you really are for that to happen.”
Rayna stopped and turned to look up at him. “Yes, Ryder, I did want that, but not at the expense of your family.”
Ryder pulled her out on the dance floor, tucking her close. “What do you mean when you say that you did want that?” he asked, his head bent to her ear.
Against her better judgment, Rayna snuggled deeper into his embrace, resting her head on his shoulder, and sliding an arm around his waist. It was so hard to fight her feelings for this man. “I’ve decided to leave Serenity Springs,” she finally whispered.
She felt Ryder stiffen, his hand tightening on hers, “What do you mean? Why would you leave?”
“To keep you and your family safe,” Rayna replied honestly.
“What about your safety?”
Rayna
gently ran her hand down his chest, and then around his waist, holding him in a tight hug. “I haven’t been safe since I was a child, Ryder.”
“So you are just going to give up?”
Rayna shook her head slightly, “No, I’m not giving up. Just changing the playing field.”
Ryder was silent for a moment before responding, “When you arrived, you said luring Cortez to Serenity Springs, getting him away from his home turf, would be the best way to take him down. I am assuming that the FBI agrees since they are backing the mission?”
Not sure where he was going with this, Rayna leaned back and looked up at him. “Yes, that’s true. If I can get Diego here, away from all he knows, all of his hiding places and contacts in D.C., I think we have a chance of bringing him in. If he comes after me, tries to kill me, I will be able to put the bastard away for good this time. No one attempts to murder an FBI agent and sees the light of day again.”
“Then you need to move forward with your plan, Rayna,” Ryder insisted. “You need to take him down so that you can stop living your life in fear. So you can sleep at night, and allow yourself to have friends. So you can give this thing with us a chance.”
“Ryder...”
“Look, maybe I’m being selfish, but dammit, Rayna, I care about you. I want you here, alive, and not scared out of your damn mind every time you close those beautiful eyes at night.”
Why couldn’t he understand? His entire family was at risk. She could not allow that. “I’m putting your whole family in danger, Ryder. The minute Diego Cortez finds out how I feel about you, about all of you, you will become a target.”
Ryder lowered his head so their cheeks were touching, “Why don’t you let us worry about that.”
Saving His Soul (Serenity Springs Series, #3) Page 9
