by Lori Foster
The two men stared at each other, and Zoey felt her face go bright red.
After all, it was the butt-crack of dawn, she was badly rumpled, and Garrett wore only jeans. No way could his father misinterpret.
Trying to brazen out the embarrassing situation, Zoey said, “Mr. Hudson, good morning!” She peered around Garrett’s bare shoulder. “How nice of you to visit.”
Garrett choked.
Morgan, big beast of a man that he was, gave a slow grin and clapped his son on the shoulder. “I’m not going away, so you might as well invite me in.”
Silent, Garrett stepped back, opened the door wider and gestured for him to enter.
Ticket, the little rat, was the only one thrilled for the company.
* * *
GARRETT CALLED THE station to say he was running late, pulled on his shirt, socks and shoes and joined Zoey and his dad in the kitchen. He got there just as the coffee finished.
Giving one last pat to the dog, his dad gave him the once-over. “I was just telling Zoey how nice the place looks.”
Garrett glanced at her, saw the high color in her cheeks deepen and had to smile. “We’ve been working on it.”
“You don’t say.”
“Dad.” He accepted a mug of coffee from Zoey and handed another to his father. “You’re embarrassing her.”
They both looked at Zoey, and she froze.
“Oh, no,” she spluttered. In a too-high voice, she said, “I’m fine,” and froze again.
Garrett pulled out a chair for her, urged her into it and bent to kiss the top of her head. “You remember my dad, Zoey?”
She bobbed her head hard. Reacting to her uncertainty, Ticket sat next to her chair and kept a watchful eye on things.
Yeah, Morgan Hudson had that effect on a lot of people. He’d been sheriff for a long time, and if the stories Garrett had heard were true, a bad-ass longer than that. Few realized that overall, his dad was a big softie.
Not that anyone would believe him if he told them so. In his early sixties, his dad was still a brick wall of a man: tall, solid, unfaltering in his role as protector.
All in all, the best of dads.
“He used to be the sheriff back when we were kids,” Garrett told Zoey. “Now he’s the mayor.”
She bobbed her head again. “I know. Amber caught me up.”
“I knew you were a friend of Amber’s.” He nodded at Garrett. “Didn’t know about this, though.”
“Dad...” Garrett warned again—not that it would do him any good.
After sipping his coffee, Morgan asked, “You remember me as a fair man, Zoey?”
“Of course.”
“Good. That’ll make this easier.”
Garrett wondered if they’d dealt with each other back when Gus died. Likely. For as long as he could remember his dad had been a pillar of the community. Whenever something happened, Morgan Hudson was there taking control and working out problems.
Was it a problem that had brought him here today?
Muscles tensing, Garrett put a hand on Zoey’s shoulder. “Don’t let him make you nervous.”
“No, of course not.” Her smile was about as nervous as it could get.
His dad gave him that look, the one that said all kinds of shit a son didn’t want to hear, especially when he was full-grown and well past needing lectures.
“Did Amber send you here?”
Folding his arms on the table, his dad said, “No, why would she?”
“No reason.” Interesting, that Amber hadn’t told their dad about him seeing Zoey. Maybe she still had hopes of him backing off.
If so, she was doomed to disappointment.
Garrett straddled his own seat. “So then why the visit?”
Instead of answering, he told Zoey, “I’m here on unofficial business. Do you want Garrett here, or would you rather talk privately?”
Stiffening from his toes to his ears, Garrett scowled. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Not up to you,” Morgan told him.
Garrett turned to her...and saw her stricken expression. “Zoey?”
Eyes closed, she whispered, “Someone complained about me being here?”
“Complained—and made some accusations.”
“The Donahues,” Garrett growled. Damn it. What was wrong with those people?
Morgan ignored him. “I’m here as a courtesy, okay? To you, not them.”
She nodded, swallowed. “Thank you.”
“You’re going to open shop?”
The switch threw her. “Pet grooming.” Straightening her shoulders, she met Morgan’s gaze. “Everything is legal, all my permits in order, everything to code.”
He looked around again. “I assume you plan to live here, too?”
“With my mom.”
Garrett had no doubt Morgan already knew about her mother being hurt, but he briefly filled him in anyway. “She should be able to come home by the end of the month.”
“I’m glad she’s doing better.”
“Thank you.” Zoey shifted with impatience. “I don’t mean to be rude, but why are you here exactly?”
After turning his coffee cup, giving himself a moment to think, Morgan looked at each of them. “There was some trouble at the grocery?”
Dropping back in her seat, Zoey laughed.
Garrett didn’t. “I was there.”
“Really?” Raising his brows, Morgan said, “I must’ve missed that part.”
“I don’t want any trouble,” Zoey said. “Not with anyone. I’m just here to take care of my mom.”
Garrett felt a pang in his heart. Yeah, he knew that was why she’d returned. But hopefully she’d want to stay...for him.
CHAPTER SIX
INSULTED ON HER BEHALF, Garrett took Zoey’s hand. “I can tell you exactly what happened.” While explaining how well Zoey had handled the ugly confrontation, he felt incredible pride. “Because I knew it might be uncomfortable for Zoey, I was already leading her in the opposite direction. Carrie caused the confrontation, and she was damned nasty about it, too.”
“I don’t doubt it.” Morgan finished off his coffee. “The Donahues aren’t great at taking blame.”
Zoey didn’t understand. “Blame for what?”
Garrett shared a look with his dad. “Anything.” A lot of people thought the Donahues needed to spend more time parenting and less time excusing bad behavior.
She shook her head. “If you didn’t buy in to the accusations, then why are you—”
“To give you a heads-up that they might cause more trouble. I thought you were out here all alone.” Now he looked at Garrett. “It’s an isolated piece of land. Not far by car, but the nearest neighbor is a good two miles away.”
“I have a phone,” she reminded him.
“Storms knock out reception all the time.”
Wearing an indulgent expression, Zoey asked, “Are you trying to scare me?”
“A little fear is a good thing.”
She laughed. “It’s not like the Donahues are psychos, or like Buckhorn is a hotbed of crime.”
“No,” Garrett agreed. “But we have had the occasional problem.”
“And putting the Donahues aside, any woman alone in an isolated place has to use extra care.” He looked at Garrett. “Until you get some security lights up and maybe an alarm system, it wouldn’t hurt to have some company.”
Meaning he should stick around and ensure her safety? Garrett had no problem with that. He wanted to be with Zoey, and no way would he let anyone hassle her.
But damn it, she’d spelled it out—her plate was full and she didn’t have time for anything more involved with him. He was already pushing his luck staying over so often. If
he got too intrusive, it might spook her.
As Amber had said, he could be the first responsibility she shook off.
His dad, though, didn’t seem to have the same concern. “Should I take it you’ll be around some?”
“Some,” Garrett said through his teeth.
Which only made Morgan grin. “You know that youngest Donahue boy has a tendency to get in over his head.”
“Yeah.” He did know it. And in fact, he had some suspicions when it came to Cody Donahue.
“I personally think he’s looking for attention, but—”
“I know. Tough to get through to Mr. and Mrs. Donahue.”
“I can take care of myself,” Zoey suddenly interjected with emphasis.
Garrett hadn’t realized she was gathering steam until he looked at her. Then he saw the stubbornness, and the independence.
She said she’d been looking after her mom since her dad died. By now she probably thought she didn’t need anyone.
He’d have to find a way to convince her otherwise, but without being too obvious. “It can’t hurt to take extra precautions.”
Without looking at him, she said to his dad, “Thanks to the work Garrett’s done here, the locks are all up-to-date. And of course, I have Ticket.”
The dog jumped up to her lap, looked at Garrett and then at Morgan and let his tongue loll out.
Laughing, Morgan sent Garrett a look that said I tried. He pushed back his chair. “If anything comes up, let me know.”
Setting the dog back on the floor, Zoey stood, too. With a lot of suspicion, she asked, “Is that the job of the mayor?”
“Around here, everyone seems to think everything is my job.”
“I don’t.”
“Because you’re new, I reckon.” Morgan bent to give the dog a few more strokes. “But in this case, I head up the COCP program.”
“Community organized crime prevention,” Garrett explained. “Basically it’s made up of residents and local agencies working together on crime, delinquency, vandalism, that sort of thing.”
“You’re part of it?” she asked him.
He nodded. “Shohn, too, since he’s a park ranger.”
“And Adam keeps an eye on things at the school.” Morgan shrugged. “When everyone stays in touch with everyone else, things get figured out sooner rather than later.”
Covering her face, she muttered, “The whole town is going to be in my business.”
“Part of the charm of Buckhorn County,” his dad told her with a squeeze to her shoulder. “Nice dog, by the way.”
That got her to stop hiding behind her hands. “Thank you. He’s wonderful.”
As if he understood her, Ticket started wiggling all over again.
Morgan smiled. “I think you’ll do a real nice business here, Zoey. Jordan already told me you have a way with animals.”
His uncle Jordan had liked her on the spot. Anyone who took in a stray won him over, but Zoey was so sweet, who wouldn’t love her? Sick babies, stray dogs...every guy with a pulse.
For certain, he wasn’t immune.
Damn it.
While Garrett struggled internally, his dad started for the door, so he and Zoey followed with Ticket bounding behind them.
“The nearest groomer is a county over. You’ll be more convenient, and the setup looks great—for a business. Living out here, though...” Concern still showing, he said again, “Be extra careful, okay?”
Before Zoey could answer, Garrett put his arm around her. “We will.”
Amused at his obvious predicament, his dad grinned. “If you need any help advertising your grand opening, give a yell.” He paused with the door half-open. “You’ll be at the fireman’s fund-raiser?”
“Garrett invited me and my mom.”
“He did, huh?” His dad raised a brow. “Guess we’ll all get to know you better then—if we don’t have a chance to visit before that.”
Which was code for you should have brought her home for dinner already, and your mother is going to kick your butt if you don’t take care of that real soon.
“In fact, I’m betting the majority of the town will greet you warmly.” His gaze met Garrett’s. “The men are all real friendly that way.”
When Garrett worked his jaw, his dad added, “The women, too, of course.”
Nodding, Zoey said, “Thank you again, Mr. Hudson.”
“Call me Morgan.” He drew her in for a hug, winked at Garrett and finally left.
Garrett checked the time. He was going to be even later than he’d figured on, but he knew what he had to do.
He caught Zoey’s shoulders. “We need to reconfigure our plan.”
“Our plan?”
Meaning to keep it light, he kissed her—but yeah, that never worked with Zoey. Half a minute later, both of them breathing deeply, he said, “That whole business of taking it one day at a time?”
“What about it?” She pushed back from him. “Are you changing your mind just because your dad is trying to pressure you? I’m still fine with us just being friends.”
He’d moved beyond the friend stage a day after meeting her. Now he just needed her to catch up. “Friends who have sex day and night.”
She gasped in accusation. “You don’t want to have sex anymore?”
Silly Zoey. Did she really think he could give that up? Give her up? “I want it to be exclusive.”
She snapped her mouth shut.
Garrett dared another kiss, and managed to keep that one under fifteen seconds. “The longer you’re here, the more people you’ll meet.” And his dad was right; guys would hit on her at the fireman’s fund-raiser. “You and me,” he said with insistence as he started away. “Friends with benefits, as long as we’re only benefiting each other.”
He gathered up his hat and his keys, and stooped to say goodbye to Ticket.
When he straightened, Zoey still stood in that exact spot. Did being exclusive scare her so much?
He tipped up her chin, and this time said more softly, “You and me.”
Eyes huge, she bit her lip, and finally, finally, after torturing him with a long, searching stare, she gave a small nod. “You and me.”
Progress, he thought.
One day at a time.
* * *
ZOEY AWOKE SUDDENLY, aware of Garrett sprawled beside her. Given the shadows in the room, it was super early still. They’d be doing the fireman’s fund-raiser later, but they still had time.
Trying not to disturb him, she turned her head and took in the sight of his long, strong body. On his side facing her, his hairy thigh against her hip, his hand curved over her naked breast, he remained deeply asleep.
His long, thick lashes hid those incandescent blue eyes that never failed to melt her heart. Rumpled dark hair just added to his sexiness, as did the whiskers on his jaw.
She wouldn’t mind waking next to him every day for the rest of her life.
Lately, things had been...surreal. Better than she’d ever known was possible.
After demanding that exclusive agreement—and really, who would she want other than Garrett?—he’d decided she needed to spend more time with his family, too. Not just the cousins, but his parents, his uncles and aunts. They were all so welcoming, treating her not as the town pariah, but more like someone very special.
He’d also made several trips with her to the hospital to visit her mother. Once he even stopped by without her, dropping off flowers that had put a smile on her mother’s face for days.
Her house was now freshly painted, many repairs done and her business was ready to open. She still had some big projects to do, but thanks to Garrett—oh, Garrett—all the plumbing worked, the electrical was safe and the dock had been rebuilt.
He was
just plain amazing. Tireless when it came to lending a hand.
Or sex. He was especially tireless then.
She didn’t know how a guy could be more wonderful.
Ticket felt the same, always greeting Garrett with howls and a thumping tail when he got home from work. It warmed her heart, how much the dog loved him.
And it scared her a little, because she was starting to feel the same.
The hand on her breast moved, cuddling a little...and it was no longer just his leg she felt on her hip.
“You big faker,” she whispered. “You’re awake.”
“I felt you looking at me.” Still without opening his eyes, he brushed his thumb over her nipple, making her shiver. “What time is it?”
“I don’t know.” She twisted to see the clock...and instead found Ticket standing beside the bed looking at her.
She’d long since removed the gate in the kitchen, giving the dog the choice of where to sleep, but he repeatedly returned to the same spot where she’d first put him, what she and Garrett now referred to as Ticket’s corner.
As soon as the dog saw her move, he barked.
Groaning, Garrett released her to stretch. “I take it he wants out.”
Usually that would get a resounding yap from Ticket. Not this time.
He growled, reared back on his haunches and whined.
“What the hell?” Garrett sat up, looked at Ticket and threw back the sheet. “Something’s wrong.”
Having the same feeling, Zoey took only one second to admire Garrett’s body as he yanked on jeans, without underwear. She grabbed for her housecoat, but Ticket was already racing down the hallway, barking in excitement, before she’d even gotten her arms in the sleeves.
Without waiting for her, Garrett followed him.
“Damn it.” Zoey hastily pulled on panties then tied the belt to the housecoat. Figuring she was decent enough, she ran after them.
Gray dawn struggled through the fog, leaving too many shadows in the yard. The morning mist in the air kept the porch light from traveling very far.
With Ticket hooked to his leash, Garrett stepped out with him...and saw the smoke coming from her ramshackle shed.
He thrust the leash at Zoey, said “Stay here,” and took off. Barefoot. Into the darkness.
