Hidden (A McKenzie Ridge Novel Book 2)

by Stephanie St. Klaire

  He went back to changing out her tire, as if nothing was out of the ordinary. It wasn’t lost on him that she had a watchful eye on him while talking to Morgan. When he placed the spare next to the car, an obvious wave of relief washed over her. She relaxed as if sliding under the radar with her hand in the cookie jar. If she didn’t have his attention before, she certainly did now and he had a winning poker face.

  He finished quickly, loading her bad tire in the trunk while telling her who to go see in town about a new tire. They each said their goodbyes while Blake reminded her of their danish deal, and they went their separate ways.

  As they drove off, Blake asked Morgan, “What do you know about Megan?”

  “I don’t know, not a lot I guess. She’s from the east coast, lost her sister a year or so ago, ended up with Jax, came to McKenzie for a fresh start. She clearly lived a little higher on the hog than McKenzie has to offer, hence all of Jessie’s nicknames for her, but she seems to fit in well. Is there something wrong?” Morgan asked, knowing Blake only inquires when there is reason to inquire.

  “No, just curious. She seems like a real nice girl, Sparks has it pretty bad for her,” he laughed.

  The suitcase and cash in the trunk is for a quick getaway. Was she an abuse survivor or something else? He read people well, too well; it haunted him at times, in fact. He didn’t feel that she was a threat, but he couldn’t always be right.

  He felt it deep down. Trouble was brewing but who was he protecting and what was he protecting them from? The last time this happened on his watch, someone had died and their blood was on his hands. It was time to have eyes everywhere, make some phone calls, protect his town, and especially his people.

  Chapter 9

  Not much of a baker, Megan grabbed a variety of goodies from her shop, remembering how fond Colton had been of the delicious delectables at the tasting. It was a small thank you for all that he had done in the passing weeks, like staying with her when she didn’t want to be alone. Reality was, it was an excuse to go see her guy. She had missed him. He was finally off shift; it was the longest 48 hours she could remember.

  If she were really honest, she even missed the animals. She stopped at Paisley’s Pupcakery before leaving town for the day, to grab some special treats for Colton’s animals. A clever spin off of the trendy cupcakeries popping up everywhere; Paisley’s was a fun shop that posed as a pet bakery. It was known for its organic treats that were even suitable for humans, or so Meg was told. It was a little different than your typical pet shop, but perfect for the tourist town, appealing to just about every demographic.

  Excitement shot through her at the sight of Colton’s truck; he was home. She knocked, but no answer. He told her before to let herself in, so that’s what she intended to do. Greeting her fury friends first, she passed out mini pupcakes to each, followed by “Bruno Bars”, which were the equivalent to animal friendly biscotti.

  His house was quiet, drapes still drawn, not a single sound, not even the shower. She crept to the kitchen where she could leave the treats as a surprise, assuming he must be napping. Duke had followed her in, distracting her with one-sided whispers. When she looked up, she was startled, nearly running into six plus feet of wet solid muscle wrapped in a white towel at the waist and with one around his neck. Stunned, she dropped the box of goodies at his feet, needing her hands to pick up her jaw, followed by a, “Holy shit!”

  He was hot, more than hot. There wasn’t a word yet invented that described what he was. His perfectly molded, tan physique was something right out of an art museum. Something to celebrate and appreciate. The water drops were like little drops of desire, tempting her to take a taste. His hair was messy but even that added to the sinful thoughts dancing around in her head.

  So much was said without a word exchanged. He knew he was getting to her and enjoyed every uncomfortable minute. He bent over to pick up the box at his feet, causing her to catch her breath as if his closeness singed her skin, startling her. When he stood, pink bakery box in hand, her eyes were heavy, lids slow to open, while her mouth remained open. He was giving her a show it appeared, and her body was betraying her every dirty thought.

  Fully aware of the effect he was having on her, he played off the moment milking it for all it was worth. With a wicked grin, locking eyes with her, he slowly lifted a brownie to his mouth taking a bite. He did his best to torment her with the motions, making her wish she was that brownie. He licked his lips, slow and purposefully before asking, “Want a…taste?”

  Her eyes fluttered quickly, but no words. He moved closer, placing one hand under her chin, tossing the box of baked goods on the table behind her with his other, and pulled her in for a slow sweet chocolate flavored kiss. He walked her backward ever so slowly until the back of her legs met the table.

  With his free hand, he grabbed her ass, picking her up in quick motion and seating her on the table. He stood between her legs, still having a tight hold on her ass while his kiss became hungry and wanton. Her hands glided up his wet body, landing around his neck and then in his hair where she ran her fingers in motion with their kiss.

  The rolling muscles and tightness of his body combined with an assaulting kiss had her hungry. Relieving the pressure he was creating in her aching core, she lifted her legs, wrapping them around his waist pulling him in closer. She could feel his excitement through her clothes, ready to remove the towel that stood between her and what he had to offer.

  His hand slowly made its way down her neck, to her collarbone, finally finding her breast. He massaged and tugged through her thin t-shirt, driving her desire to pleasure of epic levels. He was good at this; he was damn good.

  An abrupt end to their kitchen escapade fell quickly in her lap in the form of Duke. A whine and chirpy bark had their attention when he divided them. Unsure if he thought he was protecting her, or just jealous, Colton laughed as he moved back ever so slightly.

  “Seems you have an admirer, or maybe a protector?” Colton laughed, scratching the dog’s head.

  With a winded tone, she replied with a chuckle, “It appears so. I think he wants another pupcake.”

  “A what?”

  “A pupcake, from Paisley’s. I brought them treats. They’re super healthy and good for fleas, shiny coats, and organic…we could even eat them,” she said proudly.

  “But I don’t have fleas,” he joked with a serious look.

  “Yet. You don’t have fleas yet. And now you won’t. You’re welcome.”

  “Go out with me. Dinner. Tomorrow night.” he said, quickly changing the subject.

  She looked around the room as if the answer, or excuse, was lying around her. She wanted to say yes, but the doubt and hint of fear she had been battling was nudging at her to say no. What they were doing was safe, a date changed everything. It made it harder to protect his heart, as well as her own.

  “Colton, I…”

  “Just dinner, you and me. I even have a babysitter! Come on, tomorrow night?” He didn’t yet have a sitter lined up, but had a handful of willing and able bodies with a single call. “I’ll pick up Jax at the shop so you can get done without distraction, we’ll have a guy’s day and then I’ll take him to the sitter and pick you up by seven o’clock.”

  She smiled at the idea of “her guys” spending the afternoon together, just the two of them. He made it all seem so simple, carefree, not a single worry. She wished like anything that she could feel as optimistic as he did. Her conversation with the ladies crossed her mind and Lou’s voice recalled first. She said to live a little, have fun. Maybe it was just that simple.

  “Okay…seven it is.”

  ***

  Colton had picked up Jax as planned and they were off to do whatever “guys” do in small towns like McKenzie. He had arrived before she was completely ready for the day, caught off guard by her attire, yoga pants and a tank top. His reaction was priceless, he was in fact speechless. She would have to remember that. She had asked him what she should wear for the
evening so she could leave dressed accordingly, and all she got was “casual and warm”. Interesting.

  She was spending the slowest three hours at the shop she had ever counted. Fed up with the day’s lagging way, she closed up early so she could get her end of day paperwork completed and the shop ready for the next morning with time to spare. Jason, the high school kid she had working in the coffee shop, was pleased to cut his shift short. High School football was the place to be on a Friday night in the fall, he was headed there to meet the rest of the town.

  Finally making her way through the mundane paperwork that typically didn’t phase her one way or the other, she let her mind wander. McKenzie was a delightful town, charming but small. She had been to every eatery in town and tried to decide which would be his choice.

  She was rattled from her thoughts when a loud noise from the back caught her attention. She called for Jason, assuming it was him either making his way out still or just returning for something he had forgotten. The hair on the back of her neck began to rise when Jason didn’t reply. More noise sounded, causing her alarm. Colton was due shortly, but wouldn’t come in the back and Jason surely would have heard and responded by now.

  Nerves getting the best of her, she called out asking who was back there, voice wavering, revealing her fear. She turned to look outside through the front shop windows. It was near dusk, but plenty of people out doing the Friday night thing, should she need help.

  Slowly making her way to the back room she scolded herself for making such a brazen move. She paused at the entry, scanning the space, finding everything in order from a distance. Phone in her hand, she moved forward, seeking out the source of the noise.

  A sudden movement from behind a large storage rack signaled her that she was not alone. Feet cemented to the floor by fear, she couldn’t move. Hopeful that her stillness would leave her unseen, she held her breath until her intruder began to move her direction. All she could see were shadows and perhaps dark clothing. She couldn’t make out a face or even if it was a man or woman, based on general size, it was more than likely a man.

  Small silent steps backward, she was aiming to turn and run for help when she ran into a solid wall. Large arms encircled her, preventing her from running. The shadowy movement in the distance became frantic. She kicked and screamed as loud as she could before landing an elbow to her captor’s gut and stomping his foot in an attempt to get away.

  She turned to the winded voice of her captor when he said her name.

  “Oh my God, Colton, I am so sorry!” She looked behind her to where the shadows had danced behind the shelf, but they were gone.

  “Remind me never to follow you down a dark alley,” he joked, standing upright, still trying to catch his breath.

  “I…I…someone was back here, or so I thought,” she said, glancing over her shoulder again. “I was going for help and it was you, I thought it was someone else…I’m so sorry.”

  “Someone was in here? Where’s the kid?” He asked full of concern, as he moved in the direction she had indicated with flailing arms.

  “I shutdown early so I let him go to the game while I closed up. Please be careful!” She alerted.

  She stood there petrified, wondering what he was going to find. Had someone truly been there or was her imagination antagonizing her again with the fear that had been brewing as of late? Eyes wide, a tremor coursing through her, she realized her past wasn’t left behind at all. It would likely follow her everywhere, forever.

  “There’s nobody there. The door was open, a few flower buckets were knocked over along with a box of those paper coffee cups, but that’s it. Are you sure you saw someone? We can call Blake…”

  “No! No need to bother him. Maybe Jason just didn’t close it all the way. I bet a…stray cat got in here or something.” She pasted on her best fake smile and grabbed for his hand. “Let’s just go. It’s fine now.”

  He pulled her close and landed a sweet kiss on her forehead before leading her to the front of the store so they could leave. Walking through the doorway to the front of the store, she looked back one last time. There may not be anyone in there now, but there was. Someone had been in there.

  Chapter 10

  Light chatter ensued as they made their twenty-minute drive up the mountain to their final dinner destination. Megan finally relaxed not letting the afternoons events hinder their evening. She finally convinced herself that she was fine in McKenzie, that she and Jax were safe. No one knew where they were, nor could they.

  Colton had noticed a distance about her, her mind elsewhere, clearly shaken by what happened at Blooming Grounds. He noticed that before, was it a pattern? Was she afraid of something or just the jumpy paranoid type? She was single with a toddler, in a new town, so it could be both. It was his mission to give her a fun and relaxing evening, despite any earlier hiccups.

  Her breath caught at the stunning sight that came into view as they rounded the last curve in the road. They drove through a large wooden threshold that held a rustic sign that said Pinecrest Ranch. The gravel road grinding beneath them took them to a stunning log ranch house that had beautiful grounds surrounding it and a spectacular snowcapped mountain backdrop.

  In the distance there were multiple buildings that looked to be a mix of barns, silos, and what appeared to be small log cabins sprinkled about as far as she could see. Horses flanked the north side, while cattle flanked the south. A slew of various animals were mixed in between including a few roaming dogs and wandering cats.

  There were fields of grape vines climbing the slight hills, while fields of pumpkins were nestled below. She assumed the blank fields scattered about were for other crops that were no longer in season, this place was massive. It was an image right out of Hollywood, or a fantasy from a favorite book. Gorgeous.

  They drove past the ranch house, following the gravel road to the north, behind the many structures and corrals and to a field that held dozens of parked vehicles. Colton parked his truck and rounded the front to let her out; a true gentleman.

  “What is this place, it’s amazing,” she asked.

  He smiled, pleased that his choice in location met her liking. “It’s a Dude Ranch.”

  “A what?”

  “A Dude Ranch. Come on, you’ve heard of a Dude Ranch, haven’t you?”

  “Well, yeah, in movies maybe, but what are we doing here? Are we learning to be cowboys or something?” She quizzed, not sure she was going to enjoy his answer.

  “Sort of.” Was all he said before placing his hand at the small of her back and nudging her along with his charming wink.

  “I don’t know if I like the sound of this,” she chuckled.

  Weaving in and out of the rows of parked cars, their destination finally came in to view. They were nestled in the midst of the small log cabins they could see driving in. There was a large pergola type structure that had something much like a gazebo with an open top, right in the middle. There were rows and rows of large family style wooden picnic tables filling the space from one end to the other. They were organized in a sunburst pattern, surrounding the gazebo with stacks of baled hay that appeared to be used as the seating at each table.

  At closer look, the gazebo housed a large open fire pit covered with a metal grate used to cook the Texas sized steaks resting on it. They were pulling corn on the cob from the large stock pots cooking over the fire as well. She could see small football shaped objects wrapped in foil, sitting below the grate, at the edge of the fire. The same foil footballs were stacked in the buffet line that circled the gazebo…they were baked potatoes!

  This place was absolutely fabulous. Colton said hello to the various staff that recognized him in passing as he guided her to a numbered table that had two place cards that said “Sparks” on them.

  “Here we are, table 7. After you.” He gestured to the makeshift seating, holding her hand to help her navigate her way over the narrow bale of hay that would be her seat for the night.

  “This i
s such a charming place. I had no idea this was up here,” she admitted.

  “This is Morgan’s ranch,” he said.

  “This is Morgan’s? She’s a cop, how does she do this too? This can’t be an easy hobby.”

  “It’s been in her family for generations. It’s a real operating ranch that she has employees for. It’s also a big tourist attraction as a Dude Ranch. People come from all over and pay to be a cowboy for a week,” he laughed.

  “This is amazing. I mean, I knew she had horses and volunteered at the equestrian center a lot, but this? Wow!”

  “She’s an only child so when her parents retired, it became hers. This is where they feed the ranch hands, tourists staying here, and it’s open to the public by reservation for dinner only.”

  “Like a restaurant, let it pay for itself, brilliant,” she admired.

  “This part is only open to the public on weekends from the end of spring until around the first snow, so they will close for the season soon.”

  “It’s amazing. So what do we do, sit here and wait for service, or do we serve ourselves?” She said with enthusiasm, anxious to take in the whole experience.

  “A girl after my own heart! Grab your plate, let’s go!”

  They made their way through the buffet where they gathered very simple options. Steak was on the grill tonight, nothing else. There was a salad with only two dressing options, baked potatoes with all the fixings, and corn on the cob sat at the end of the line. The tables were lined with big baskets of fresh sweet rolls and farm fresh butter. Simple, but plentiful and absolutely delicious.

  The tables were lined with metal pitchers of iced water and clear glass pitchers of sweet tea to accommodate the two glasses set at each place setting. No soda, no alcohol, simple and perfect. This wasn’t the bucking bronco hoe down she thought he had brought her to. It was a new kind of elegant, quaint and completely unique.

  There were strings of lanterns floating above them. Individual lanterns were hanging from every post and strategically placed at each table for light, as the evening sky settled in. Burlap table runners with ribbons of lace woven through them lined the centers of the tables with mason jar glasses to drink from. Rows of milk glass vases full of fresh fall flowers offered a lovely fragrance and punch of color to each table, while black and white plaid napkins strategically folded and wrapped in twine bows.