Duncan was sitting in the chair by the bookshelf and stood when she came in. “I’m ready. Just let me grab my bag and a jacket.”
“You know you shouldn’t carry that bag around with all that money. This is a small town, but crime still occurs here.”
“I know, but it is all I have. I don’t want something to happen to it.”
“I have a small closet safe at home you can borrow. I will bring it when I bring you back tonight.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course, sweetheart.” Smiling, Cane walked out the door. That was the second time he called her that and Logan called her baby earlier. She could get used to this. It was certainly better than being called bitch, whore, or slut.
They made it to Duncan’s truck in no time and began the drive to his house. “So? How do you like the town so far?”
“It’s great,” Cane said, and truly meant it. “Even though it’s small and secluded, everyone seems very friendly. I know I have only been here for a little over a day, but I have never really had a home, and I feel like I could have that here. I just don’t want to get to ahead of myself until I know that Sam has given up trying to find me.” Something told her that wouldn’t be anytime soon, but she pushed that negative comment away. Placing his hand on top of hers, Duncan just smiled.
“I hope you are comfortable tonight, because the rest of my family will be there.”
“Oh, who else will be there?” Cane asked, not sure she was ready to meet the rest of his family.
“Well, Ali and Logan of course, and my older brother Chase and my younger brother Riley.” Cane smiled and nodded her head. She turned and stared out the window. Hopefully his other brothers would like her. She never wanted to be accepted more by this family than anyone in her entire life, and she was scared of the unexpected feelings. As if reading her mind, Duncan squeezed her hand that he was still holding. “Don’t worry,” he said smiling, “they will think you are great. Of course Ali, Logan, and I already do and so will the other two.”
They drove the rest of the way in comfortable silence. It took about ten minutes to get the Matthews’ house, and Cane could feel the butterflies in her stomach growing bigger the closer they got. The house sat at the end of a driveway that seemed a mile long. The house was beautiful. It was a very large log cabin-style house that looked like it sprouted out of the forest that lined the back of it. It had two stories and a wraparound front porch with rocking chairs and a swing. “Wow, this is beautiful.”
“Thank you. My dad built it for my mom. He knew she wanted a large family, so he said she needed a house large enough to put us all in, so this is what he came up with. When they died, we didn’t want to sell it, so we all still live here, including Logan.”
“Logan lives here, too?” she asked.
“Yeah, he moved in when he was eleven after his mom died. His dad couldn’t handle it, and my mom took him in since he was here most of the time anyway.”
Cane couldn’t believe it. “Your mom must have been a really great woman to take in a child that wasn’t hers when she already had four of her own to raise.” Duncan didn’t say anything, but the sad look in his eyes told her that he still wasn’t over losing his parents. They were sitting in the truck outside the house and he was still holding her hand.
Taking a deep breath, she asked, “Ali said your parents died last year in an accident. Will you tell me what happened?”
Duncan was quiet for a while and finally said, “They were killed in a car accident driving home from Carlton. It was raining and the tractor-trailer in front of them lost control after trying to change lanes. My dad couldn’t stop in time, and their car slid under the trailer. The doctors say they died instantly, so there was no pain. Ali was in the car also. She barely escaped with her life. When the car slammed into the guardrail, it went through the back door and impaled her in the back. She feels guilty that she lived and they died since they wouldn’t have gone if she hadn’t asked for new shoes.” Turning her hand over so that their palms were touching, Cane laced her fingers through his and squeezed.
“You, your brothers and sister, and Logan are very lucky. Even though your parents are gone, you grew up knowing that you were loved and that they would have done anything for you. I would love to know what just one day of that feels like. I never knew my parents. I was dropped off at a hospital when I was six days old. The nurse that found me named me Cane. I was told it was because of my hair being the color of sugar. My parents didn’t even care enough to give me a name, and no one has wanted me since, so don’t focus on the fact that they are gone, only think about all the times that you had them here when you really needed them.” Duncan reached over and wiped a tear away that had run down her cheek and then leaned over and kissed the same spot.
“You have no idea how damn special you are,” he said. Cane gasped at Duncan’s statement. She couldn’t hold back the flood of emotions that followed it. Never in her life had anyone told her that she was special, not even Sam. He grinned at her and opened the door to get out. Here goes nothing, she thought, and got out as well.
The inside of the house was more beautiful than the outside. There was a warm and cozy feel to the place. In the living room there was a large plush leather sofa and two matching chairs facing a fireplace, and the hardwood floors were covered with thick throw rugs everywhere. Cane could hear talking coming from the kitchen as she followed Duncan. Walking into the kitchen, her mouth fell open when she saw that the kitchen basically took up the whole back of the house and was dominated by a long wooden table that looked like it could seat about twenty people. The whole back wall was nothing but glass overlooking the patio, pool, and forest behind.
Whispering in her ear, Duncan said, “The kitchen is the place that it seems like everyone in our family always ended up, so since we spent so much time there, Dad said that logically this should be the most important and biggest room in the house.”
“It’s great!” Cane said in awe.
Ali came over and hugged her. “I didn’t think you would ever get here, but I’m so glad you came. This will be so fun!”
Grabbing Cane’s hand, she began to lead her to the table where everyone else was already seated. “Of course you already know Logan, but this is our oldest brother, Chase, and this is our other brother, Riley.” Both men stood and greeted her. They both were just as gorgeous as Ali and Duncan. Good looks must run in the family, Cane thought as she waved and smiled at each man. Chase was just as tall as Duncan only he was a lot broader. He looked like he had muscles on top of muscles. Both men had the same green eyes that the whole family had. Riley was the shortest of all the Matthews brothers. He looked like he was around six feet. He wore his coal black hair pulled back in a ponytail, where Chase wore his in a military buzz cut style.
Still holding her hand, Ali said, “I hope you are hungry because we are having steak and potatoes and salad.”
“You girls are having salad. We men are having meat and potatoes,” Chase said laughing. Smiling and instantly feeling comfortable, Cane took the empty chair next to Logan, and Duncan sat on the other side of her.
Dinner was great. Not only was the food delicious, but the conversation was excellent. The wine had been flowing freely all through dinner and she was feeling very relaxed. Cane had never laughed so hard in all her life. All through dinner Chase and Riley told the most embarrassing stories about Duncan and Logan and all the trouble they got into growing up. Cane had never felt this accepted so easily in all her life. I could fall in love with this family. Looking at Duncan and then Logan, she thought, especially these two men. That particular thought scared her, but she pushed it away to think about at another time. She wasn’t going to let it ruin her night.
“Let’s go for a swim,” Ali said while starting to clear the table. Everyone agreed and left the room to get changed into their suits. Cane sat at the table biting her bottom lip. What excuse could she use to get out of this? It wasn’t that she didn’t like t
o swim. She just didn’t want anyone to see the nasty ten-inch jagged scar across the bottom of her stomach, courtesy of Sam, and ask questions. It was a story that she did not want to tell.
“Is something wrong?” It was Logan looking at her with concern in his eyes.
“I…I don’t have a suit,” she said, hoping that was a good enough excuse.
“Don’t worry. I’m sure Ali has something you can borrow.”
“Oh yeah, I don’t mind. You can take your pick. I have a ton of suits.”
Damn! That didn’t work. Not wanting to ruin the night, she just nodded and followed Ali to the bedroom. She knew that unless Ali had a one piece, the scar would show, but she gave in.
Ali’s bedroom looked like any other sixteen-year-old girl’s room. Hot pinks and purples everywhere. She had two twin beds in the room with matching comforters and posters of whatever teen singing sensation that was hot at the moment all over the walls. Ali was happily laying out every suit she owned on the bed, which seemed like hundreds of them.
“Um…you don’t happen to have a one-piece, do you?”
“No, sorry,” she said, looking a bit guilty.
“It’s okay,” Cane said. “If I had a body like yours, I would never wear a one-piece either.” If it was possible, Ali’s grin lit up the room. She ducked her head as if not used to getting compliments and started sorting through the suits on her bed. Sighing, Cane began to look over what she had to offer. She ended up picking the least skimpy suit there, which wasn’t saying much. It was white with small blue stars all over. Both pieces tied, so Cane could adjust it to fit since she was smaller than Ali on the top, but a little curvier on the bottom. Ali used the connecting bathroom first and changed. When she came out, Cane reluctantly went in. You can do this, you can do this, you can do this…maybe if she said it enough it would be true. Once the suit was on, Cane had to admit that if it wasn’t for the scar that was still an angry red color peeking out of her bottoms, the suit would be sexy. Being that Ali was their baby sister and seeing how protective they were of her, Cane couldn’t believe the Matthews boys and Logan would let Ali wear something like this. Well, here goes nothing. You can’t hide in here all night, she thought as she walked out of the bathroom. Ali was sitting on the bed and from the look on her face, Cane knew that she saw the scar. Unconsciously, she put her hands over it and turned away.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to stare. Can I ask what happened?”
“I don’t like to talk about it,” Cane said, trying to hold back the tears threatening to fall.
“It’s okay, I don’t like to talk about mine either.” Cane turned back around to look at Ali, who just smiled and turned her back. Cane couldn’t help the gasp that slipped out. Ali had a jagged scar going down the right side of her back from shoulder to hip that made her scar look like a paper cut. She turned back and squeezed Cane’s hand.
“Is that why you asked for a one-piece?” Not able to speak, Cane just nodded.
“It’s okay, I promise. The boys know how sensitive I am about my scar, so they won’t say anything about yours. Come on, let’s go before they come looking for us.” If she can do it, then why can’t I? Summing up all her courage Cane walked out to the pool.
* * * *
Finally, Duncan thought when he saw Cane and Ali coming out the door. He never understood what took women so long to get ready. How hard was it to put a swimsuit on? The guys had been in the pool a whole twenty minutes waiting on them. Getting out of the pool he began to walk over to them, but he caught Ali’s eye. She gave a small shake of her head and turned to head toward Riley and Chase who were sitting on the edge of the pool talking and drinking beers. What was that all ab…Before he could finish the thought he saw what Ali was trying to tell him. Because of the way Cane was looking at him as if she was ashamed, he immediately knew that the scar that he was seeing was a gift from her ex. By the time he reached her, he so was consumed with rage that his whole body was trembling. If he ever met this Sam, he knew that it would take an act of God not to kill him. Evidently Cane saw the anger boiling off of him because she came to a complete stop and her eyes went wide. The look of fear on her face immediately calmed him down. He smiled and saw that she took a deep breath and began walking toward him again. If I reacted this way seeing that scar, Logan is going to blow a gasket, he thought. Reaching her, he rubbed his hand down her shoulder and felt her shiver.
“Would you like a beer?”
Cane frowned. “Ewww, gross. No thanks, but I would like a glass of wine please.” Winking at her, he turned and walked toward the house. Just as he reached the door, Logan came out. Duncan grabbed him and forced them back through the door.
“What the hell, Duncan?”
“Just calm down, I have to tell you something about Cane.” Logan immediately went on alert. “Listen, I just wanted to give you fair warning. Cane has a nasty scar on her stomach. From the way she was acting, I would guarantee it that bastard Sam gave it to her.”
“Son of a bitch!” Logan yelled.
“This is exactly why I came and told you rather than let you see for yourself. Just don’t make a scene. From what I can see, she is very self-conscious about it.” Logan nodded stiffly and walked out the door. Knowing Logan wouldn’t let his anger show, Duncan poured Cane a glass of wine and grabbed a beer for himself and returned to the pool.
* * * *
This night couldn’t get any better, Cane thought. When she first came out in her bathing suit and Duncan saw her scar, she was shocked to see the anger in his face, and it scared her. When he rubbed her arm, the caress was soft and gentle, and she immediately calmed down. No one said anything about her scar. In fact they all acted like it wasn’t there. Forget thinking that she could fall in love with this family, hell, she was already halfway in love with them. Splashing around and wrestling with all the guys in the pool, she had never had so much fun or laughed as much in all her life.
Now lying in the lounge chair wrapped in Duncan’s fluffy bathrobe, Cane was feeling the effects of the four glasses of wine that she had. “I think it’s time for me to head to the room. I don’t think I can keep my eyes open much longer.”
“Awwww, do you have to go?” Ali whined.
Cane laughed. “I bet that whine gets you whatever you want out of these boys, don’t it.” Ali just giggled.
It was Logan to speak up this time. “I think we all have had a little too much to drink tonight. You may have to stay, Cane.” Not wanting to risk anyone’s safety by trying to drive her home, she agreed to stay.
“Oh this is going to be so fun! You can sleep in my room. I have never had anyone stay over before!” Ali was clapping her hands and jumping up and down like a five-year-old.
“Well, that makes two of us,” Cane said. “I have never slept over with anyone before, so I think we should make the best of our first time.”
“Oh, we so have to stay up late and eat all kinds of junk, and…Ohhh we definitely have to talk about boys,” Ali said with glee. The last statement caused a lot of chokes and coughs from the guys, and Cane couldn’t help but to giggle herself. Ali was rubbing off on her. Ali kissed her brothers and Logan on the cheek and skipped off to the kitchen.
Standing, Cane said, “Well, I should go help her. Thank you guys for dinner. I have never had so much fun.”
Duncan and Logan both rose at the same time and each kissed her cheek. Feeling her face heat up, she told them all good night and went into the house.
Chapter 7
“Can I ask you a question?” Ali whispered. It was three in the morning and after eating popcorn, chocolate, and ice cream, she and Cane had finally gotten in the bed. They did all the things that girls were supposed to do while at a sleepover. They gave each other makeovers, manicures, and did each other’s hair. Now they had been lying in bed for the past thirty minutes talking about random things, favorite movies, who they thought the cutest actors were.
“Sure, you can ask me anything,” Cane sa
id, already half-asleep.
“Do you really like my brother and Logan?”
That question was not what Cane expected. Thinking about it, she answered, “Yes. I know it has only been two days, but I think I could really fall in love with them. With all of you really, you all have made me feel so welcomed like I have known you for years.”
“Good,” was all Ali said, but Cane could hear the happiness in her voice. For the first time in eight years, Cane realized that she was happy, too. With that thought, she drifted off to sleep.
“Wake up! Cane wake up!”
Cane slowly came awake to Duncan shouting and shaking her. She could hear a loud sobbing sound and realized that it was her. She was half-seated in his lap with her head on his shoulder. Logan was behind her with his hands rubbing circles on her back. Coming to her senses, she looked around the room and saw Ali sitting up in her bed with a terrified look on her face. She looked like she had been crying, and Chase was sitting with his arm around her. Riley was leaning against the door.
Oh no! What have I done! They are all going to think I am crazy now. So much for fitting in with this family, Cane thought.
Davis, Keyonna - Nowhere to Hide [Pine Valley] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) Page 5
