He'd gone and set her off again. Damn, but she had some impressive walls built up to keep him out.
No problem.
He excelled at breaching the most impenetrable walls. Caitlyn had no idea who she was up against. He wasn't the timid boy of eighteen she remembered. When he knew what he wanted, he went after it with a vengeance.
"You can stop that right now," he said.
"Stop what?"
“Shutting me out."
"I'm not—“
"Sure as shit, you are. I'm going to help, and there's nothing you can do about that."
“I don’t have to take anything from you.”
He had her riled up now and loved the fire of her words.
“I suggest you be a little politer to the guy driving.“
"Didn't ask you to drive." Her scathing comeback should've made him mad, but he loved her spirit.
“True, you didn't ask me to drive.” He turned to look at her, taking his eyes off the road for a moment to hammer home his point. “You and I have some shit to sort out. Until you sit down and we have it out, I'm not leaving your side."
"I didn't ask you to come back."
"But I'm here."
"You didn't come back for me, Caleb. We both know that."
He didn't know how to respond to that, because he came back to Bear Creek to see his mother, but that was more of an excuse. He had really come for Caitlyn. Someday, he’d get her to realize her fear was nothing more than a crutch.
"You sure about that?" He dared her to answer, but she didn’t take the bait.
"How long are you here? A couple days? A week?" She gave a huff and crossed her arms.
"A month."
"A month?" She gave a surprised gasp.
"That's what I said."
"And then what?" She tugged on her seatbelt, settling it across her shoulder.
"Then I go back."
"That's what I thought." She twisted away to stare out the window. "Why bother at all? I haven't changed my mind. Nothing against the Marines, but I have a life here."
"I could take care of you. We can be great again.“
"With a man I never see?" Her hollow laughter cut bone deep. "Sorry, but that’s not going to happen."
What he wouldn't give to slam on the brakes, pull over to the side of the road, and show her exactly what he wanted.
She swiped at her cheek. He wasn't supposed to see it, but she did a poor job of covering it up.
"Look, Cat, I wanted to see you. Okay? You're all I've thought about."
"Right. Every time you called, or wrote me a letter, or sent an email." He flinched from the scorn dripping from her voice. "Oh, that's right,” she said. “You didn't call. Didn't write. You didn't even waste one bit of electricity to send an email. But you wanted to see me? I was all you thought about? Please, don't embarrass yourself."
"It's the truth, Cat."
"I can't believe a lie."
She stared forward, ending the conversation. She fiddled with the radio again. They were finally close enough to town that she hit on a country station.
They spent the next fifteen minutes listening to country crooners. He was about to ask for directions when she finally spoke.
"We're meeting Abby at Drake's ranch.”
"And where’s that?"
"Five miles down from Rowdy Range."
With that, she cranked up the volume, silencing any more conversation. While she settled into her anger, he plotted his next move. If she wasn't willing to talk this out, he would find a way to show her the truth.
Chapter 13
Caleb
Like many things in Montana, Drake’s ranch turned out to be massive. Respectable in its own right, Caitlyn’s holding, Rowdy Range, spanned several hundred acres. As he drove past Rowdy Range and toward the entrance to Drake’s ranch, he realized the scope of the operation was nothing like he imagined.
“How big is this place?” He leaned forward and gripped the wheel, looking along the endless expanse of barbed wire fencing.
“I’m not sure. He combined his ranch with Abby’s a few years ago. I think several tens of thousands? I don’t really know.”
“He and the doc are a couple?”
She gave a nod.
A town of twenty-thousand, Peace Springs was still small enough for everyone to know everyone’s business.
“Are we ever going to find this place?”
She peered ahead. With snow covering everything, there was a chance they would miss the gate leading to Drake’s ranch. Or so Caleb thought. He was used to posts and barbed wire with cattle grates, not massive stone arched gates with a paved road leading off the county highway.
“There it is.” Caitlyn pointed although it wasn’t necessary.
He pulled off the road and stopped in front of the massive gates.
“Do we need to call? Or…”
“The gate is just for show. I don’t think it’s ever locked, but we might have a problem with the snow.”
He agreed with that. There were no signs of anyone coming or going and which gave him pause. If Abby was going to meet them, then where the hell was she?
Caitlyn put her phone to her ear and carried on a hushed conversation with Drake. The Jeep might not have a problem navigating the deep snow, but those gates weren’t going to open unless he cleared a path. Bear gave a low groan from the back as he stretched out. Caitlyn reached back and rubbed him. Caleb left her to her conversation, jumping out of his Jeep and grabbing a shovel from the back.
He headed to the gates, intent on clearing a path when the massive iron gates slowly drew back on metal tracks. He expected them to swing out and appreciated the extra expense Drake had gone to in making rails to draw the gates to the side, because now he didn’t need to shovel anything.
He turned back to the Jeep and when he got in, Caitlyn gave a smug smile.
“Did you know the gates opened like that?”
She gave a nod.
“And you were going to let me go out there and dig?”
She shrugged.
“So not cool.” He poked her in the shoulder, enjoying the easy play. It reminded him of simpler times. Deciding not to push his luck, he put the Jeep into gear and headed down the long drive. Snow blanketed the rolling countryside, a pristine cottony-white which had him itching to head out in a snowmobile and have fun flying over the hills.
They finally pulled up to a grouping of buildings. A working cattle ranch, lights shone out of the barns where the herd huddled from the biting cold. Other structures held hundreds of round hay bales, enough to get what looked to be several hundred head of cattle through a long winter. They pulled up to a magnificent log cabin which deserved to grace the cover of designer home magazines. Impressive didn’t begin to describe Drake’s operation.
Rowdy Range was nothing close to this size, and he wondered what Drake got out of managing the few score of cattle Caitlyn’s ranch provided.
When they pulled up to the main house, a mountain of a man stood at the top of the porch. Tall, muscular, but not bloated with muscles, the man looked like he could’ve been special ops. The large scar cutting across Drake’s cheek had Caleb curious enough to trade stories. He always appreciated sharing experiences with those who once shared his profession.
In particular, how did Drake deal with no longer being in the military?
Caleb couldn’t envision a day without the Marines but knew there would come a time when he would hang up his boots for good. Hopefully, that was a long way off.
“Drake!” Caitlyn jumped out of the Jeep and bounded up the stairs.
Caleb held back a growl as Drake wrapped her in a hug a little too tight for his tastes. Their eyes met and Caleb struggled to keep the blatant challenge out of his gaze. From the way Drake’s eyes pinched, he didn’t think he succeeded.
Drake came down the steps and marched up to Caleb, arm out, hand extended. Caleb took it, only because it was the polite thing to do, and matched the stre
ngth of Drake’s grip with equal force. The two of them sized each other up as they established dominance within the span of a handshake.
“You must be Caleb.” Drake released Caleb’s hand with one final squeeze.
“Caitlyn says you’re an old family friend and manage Rowdy Range.”
“I do. It’s been about five years. Helped her dad so he could spend more time in Bear Creek. I help Caitlyn out now.”
“Caitlyn says Abby is going to take a look at Bear.”
Drake’s stern expression softened with the mention of Abby’s name. “She’ll be here soon. She’s actually in town at the acute care clinic seeing the girls you pulled off the mountain.”
Caitlyn turned back to the Jeep. Concern pinched her brows together. “How long do you think she’ll be there?”
Drake wrapped his arm around Caitlyn, all the while staring at Caleb. The bastard was testing him, but Caleb wasn’t interested in senseless posturing. He didn’t need to prove anything to Drake.
“Don’t worry. She called and is already on her way. Should be here in less than half an hour. How about we get Bear inside and comfortable?”
Caitlyn gave a nod. “Thanks.”
When Drake moved toward the Jeep, Caleb made a point of stepping in front of him. If anyone was going to help Bear, it would be him.
“I got it. Just hold the door open and show me where to go.”
Drake gave a low rumbly laugh. “Sure thing.”
Caitlyn joined him at the Jeep, wanting to help, but knowing she was only in the way. It didn’t matter. She told him exactly what to do, how to hold Bear, how to support him, and how not to cause more discomfort than necessary. He took her fussing with a stiff upper lip, allowing her to boss him around, at least for now, because he knew it would help ease some of her worries.
Drake held the door open and ushered him inside the massive log home.
“You can put Bear by the fire.” Drake had prepared for Bear’s arrival, laying blankets before the fire to cushion the floor.
Caleb carried Bear into Drake's home, laying him gently in front of a massive two-story stone fireplace. An impressive fire crackled on the hearth, not a couple of logs, but what looked to be an actual trunk of a tree. Drake had to be one strong bastard to carry in that log for a fire.
Snap, crackle, and pop, the fire filled the house with the calming scent of pine and oak. He would always associate a real wood fire with home. But the size of that fire? Overcompensating much?
Caitlyn supervised the entire process of settling Bear, holding his muzzle and showering the dog with kisses. She curled up beside Bear and hugged the dog, while Caleb looked around and admired the custom log home.
Could he really call it a home? It was more like a mansion, but with a cozy, nice to be home, kind of feel. The stone fireplace rose to meet the vaulted ceiling of the Great Room. Couches sat in intimate sitting groups, several were scattered around the vast space. All were made from fine leather and gathered around sculpted wood coffee tables, end tables, and various carvings. The room radiated warmth, a welcoming place for weary souls to rest after a long day. Nights could be long out here, followed by back-breaking work.
"Can I get you something to drink?" Drake walked over to the bar which dominated the far wall. "I've got beer, whiskey...pick your poison."
"Whiskey sounds great." He headed over and pulled out a stool. With a glance over his shoulder, he wished the hug Caitlyn gave Bear was one she would share with him.
"Neat or on the rocks?" Drake placed two tumblers on the bar.
"That depends on the whiskey."
Drake gave a low, throaty laugh and pulled up several whiskeys from beneath the bar. An impressive array of Scottish and Irish whiskeys greeted Caleb. He gave a nod, appreciating the Auchentoshan three wood single malt. A favorite of his, the price tag generally had him appreciating it only on special occasions.
"How about the Auchentoshan?"
"Good choice." Drake arched a brow, waiting for the most important part of Caleb's answer.
"Neat."
Drake poured two fingers’ worth of whiskey into each of the tumblers and slid one over.
"So, what's the deal with you and Caitlyn?" Drake sipped his whiskey, closing his eyes as he savored the rich finish.
Caleb lifted his glass and turned to stare at Caitlyn. "Not much right now." Although he would change that.
"Not much?" Drake set his glass on the bar. "Seems like a whole hell of a lot considering how she looks at you when you're not looking."
"Really? And how is that exactly?"
"Like she hates your guts."
The whiskey went down wrong, searing his windpipe. He gasped and coughed. Drake looked on, a knowing smirk planted on his face.
“Yeah, that’s kind of what I thought.” Drake tossed back his drink and poured another. The front door swung open and a gorgeous brunette stepped inside. Drake lifted his glass in mock salute. “Time to pull up a chair. You’re about to be forgotten.”
“Huh?”
Drake topped off Caleb’s glass and then went to greet the brunette with a soul-scorching kiss where he literally swept her off her feet.
Abby held on for that kiss, then went straight to Caitlyn and Bear by the fire. Caleb hung out at the periphery, seeing what he could do to help. When that turned out to be absolutely nothing, he settled into one of the deep couches and sipped his drink while staring out onto a blanket of snow outside the floor to ceiling plate glass windows.
Ten minutes later, he understood Drake’s off-hand comment about being forgotten. He listened to Abby examine Bear and explain what she found to Caitlyn. The claw marks dug deep, rending skin and muscle. Abby said it would be no problem suturing the injuries. Nothing seemed to have gone deeper than muscle. That was good. There were a few punctures from the mountain lion’s fangs she was concerned about, infection being the biggest issue. She didn’t know compatible antibiotics from humans to dogs but knew Draven, the town vet.
Before Abby did anything, she called Draven who seemed to agree with her plans and offered to bring over antibiotics after he was finished delivering the llama at Bert’s llama ranch.
Drake came over and dropped into one of the wing chairs. He brought the bottle of Auchentoshan with him, filling both their glasses.
“Gonna be a long night,” he said. “You any help in the kitchen?”
“Passable.”
“Good.” Drake stood and gestured toward a set of double doors leading out of the Great Room. “The girls aren’t leaving Bear’s side, which leaves us on food duty.”
“I can do that.”
“Caitlyn says you’re in the Marines?”
“Yes, scout sniper. You ex-military?”
“Green Beret, although it’s not something I talk about much.”
“I get that.”
Drake gave him a nod. “I’m sure you do.”
They spent the next hour grilling steaks and shooting the shit about the military. He found enough green stuff in the fridge to make a passable salad while Drake put potatoes in the oven to bake.
“So, Delta Force?” Drake tipped his head. “That’s impressive.”
Caleb rubbed at his shoulder and didn’t miss the hard cut of Drake’s gaze.
“Yeah.”
“Never got the invite, but maybe that’s because I got injured before they sent me the pretty invite to the special boys’ club.” He rubbed at his jaw, fingers stretching over a scar on his face.
“What happened?”
“Firefight that turned into a knife fight, but don’t worry. I buried the hilt of my knife in the asshole’s chest. I walked out. He didn’t.”
“Respect.”
“Yeah well, it ended my service. Messed with my shooting eye a bit. I decided not to reenlist and took the disability. Turns out it was the best decision I ever made. Came back to Peace Springs, took back operation of my ranch, and met the woman of my dreams.”
“Sounds wonderful. Caitlyn
says you manage her father’s ranch?”
“I do. Once Caitlyn graduated high school and showed an interest in becoming a guide, he wanted to support that. Started spending less and less time here, and more and more getting a guide business established. He wanted to build it into something they could work together, which meant he needed help back here.”
“Makes sense. I’m surprised she didn’t sell it to you.”
“I wouldn’t take it. That land has been in her family for generations, nearly as long as Abby’s land. Their great-great-great grandmothers were one of the first women ever allowed to own land in Montana. That’s a legacy worth respecting.”
“I didn’t know.”
“Well, I’m happy to help, and not to sound like an ass, but my operation is a hundred times the size of hers. It’s easy folding everything together. She keeps the land. I manage the cattle, and I keep the assholes from trying to make a land grab. You know anything about managing a ranch?”
“Not really. I spent a couple summers at Bert’s llama ranch growing up, but don’t know much about cattle.”
“Learning about cattle is the easy part. You’ll want to make sure you have a solid degree in business administration.”
“Not sure I’ll need that.”
“You will if you work things out with her.” He gestured back to the Great Room.
“Not sure if that’s in the cards.” He didn’t like Drake’s perceptive nature, he gave a shrug.
“Uh-huh.” Drake slapped the steaks on the grill. “You and I both know there’s no way in hell you’re letting her go.”
Drake may have no problem speaking his mind, but he didn’t know everything. The only way to make Caitlyn his was to convince her to leave Bear Creek and follow him around the world in the Marines. No way in hell that was happening.
It would be best if he walked away again, but could he handle another broken heart?
Chapter 14
Caitlyn
Bear's injuries weren't as severe as Caitlyn initially thought. She missed several puncture wounds around his throat. Her insides twisted thinking about how close Bear had come to losing his life. Once again, she owed Caleb a debt of gratitude.
Caleb: Military Heroes (The One I Want Series Book 3) Page 10