So for now, she had Nick all to herself. For the first time since he’d graduated high school.
It was odd to think of them having been separated for longer than they’d been together when he’d lived in Starlight Bend. In her heart, he was never far from her, because she’d always held him close no matter where he was. Whether they saw each other or not.
They’d been kids and then teenagers when they’d known each other, with some very realistic ideations of how their futures would play out—separately. Yet they’d still allowed the connection to exist between them, to strengthen until he’d moved away permanently.
Though now he’d returned, albeit briefly, and they’d picked up right where they’d left off, falling into sync emotionally—and falling into each other’s arms.
For a few moments as she listened to Nick’s steady breathing and watched the flickering of the flames, she thought of the actual physical distance that had stretched between them. An inevitability neither had been able to escape. Nick had always been destined for Mount Sinai. She’d never wanted to live anywhere other than Starlight Bend.
When her mother had died, Travis had been the beneficiary of the property, as her husband. But he’d never intended to keep what he considered to be rightfully Anna’s. Yet she hadn’t been of legal age and there was a lot of talk of her being shipped off to California to live with an aunt on her father’s side, since she had no other family.
Travis had rescued her. And then he’d told her that this place was meant for greatness and that was when she’d hatched the plan to turn it into a medical and rehab retreat for animals.
This truly was where Anna belonged. Her mother, her grandparents and her great-grandparents were buried in the small cemetery on the far eastside of the land. And while Anna was perfectly aware of the millions of dollars her property was worth, selling never was—nor would it ever be—an option.
She believed in the Voss history and legacy. Was deeply devoted to both.
So here she was in Montana.
And there was Nick… In New York.
Well, aside from the exception of these couple of days.
But even as she’d caved to the fantasy of a night with him, she knew that reality would hit her hard tomorrow when he inched toward the door. Toward that plane in Kalispell that always beckoned him. That always took him away from her.
Anna had learned a long time ago not to hold on too tightly to him. He had his own legacy to protect. An entire empire, in fact. Because she understood the importance of all of that, experiencing it herself with what had been passed down to her, she’d been able to let him go. And would do so again, accepting that he wasn’t coming back.
This week was nothing but an extenuating circumstance due to Ruby’s medical condition. Anna was smart enough to know that. But still willing to temporarily overlook the glaring fact, because she was currently swept away by Nick’s soft kisses along her neck and just below her ear, his tight embrace and his thickening erection.
So that when the tip of his cock nudged her opening and then pressed in, she didn’t think twice about how much further she was getting in over her head with this man.
He made love to her slowly again, his fingers stroking her clit as his shaft glided along her inner walls. He nipped at her throat and she sighed contentedly. Warmth and exhilaration trilled down her spine and Anna let him command her passion, giving into it—and him—completely…
~~*~~
Morning came much too quickly. Anna fought its lure.
The sun trying to burn through the clouds sent an occasional burst of light through the living room so that Anna eventually snuggled deeper under the blankets Nick had covered them with. She’d rolled over in slumber and was huddled against him as they both lay on their sides, facing each other. Her head was tucked under his chin and she was wrapped in his arms. Their legs were tangled and he was hard again. Which actually was enough to entice her from her groggy state.
Her fingers coiled around his base and pumped slowly.
Nick let out a sexy groan. “What are the chances of us moving this upstairs and spending all day in your bed?”
“Slim to none, I’m afraid,” she reluctantly told him. “You should check in on Ruby and spend some more time with Jake. Take him shopping for boarding equipment. And it’s Adopt-a-Pet day for me in town. I’ve got to find a home for three pups before another three come from our latest stray.”
“Christ, you really should be sainted.”
“Knock it off. I’m pretty sure it is a universal no-no for saints to go at it like bunnies the way we do. And what you did when your head was between my legs last night… My halo is sufficiently tarnished and dangling from the bedpost.”
He chuckled, low and deep. The sound rumbled through her. Anna did everything in her power to assure herself she wouldn’t miss it when he was gone.
Knowing full well that was a worthless delusion.
She said, “I’m certain you have plenty of other things on your plate today, anyway.”
“Punny, since I’m having lunch with Ruby’s doctor. We started a discussion the other day that I’m interested in pursuing.”
“Oh?”
“Hey,” he grumbled when she stopped stroking his cock. “You abandon that effort in lieu of conversation and I’m not going to make love to you while we’re still conveniently under the covers.”
“In that case, why don’t you plan to bring Jake to the ranch tonight for dinner and you can tell me what’s so fascinating with Dr. Wilcox. Bring Ruby, too.”
“She told me on the phone last night during my final check-in that the good ladies of the community center have, indeed, invited her back to their Canasta tournament. So she is otherwise indisposed, practicing with Meline Carpenter for the next couple evenings before their big Christmas Eve hurrah. But Jake would enjoy another trip up here.”
“Great. Then we can talk. Now you can make love to me.”
And he did.
Later, they went their separate ways and Anna set up her mobile rescue operation at the pet store. The owner allowed her space in the back of the long, narrow and overcrowded shop to put up a small pen for the puppies. She laid down blankets and added toys and a water bowl for them. Then logged onto the app she’d created for her iPad to manage an entire adoption process from start to finish.
It being so close to Christmas, chances were good she’d find takers for the three Maltese puppies right off the bat. They really were too cute for words. But she couldn’t fathom keeping even one of them for herself. Anna had reached the max on her quota of strays with pregnant dogs, gift-tag Zander, adorable Jake…
And Nick.
It really was too easy to get caught up in him. So much so that she still hadn’t asked all the questions tormenting her mind since Nick had come to the ranch for his son. It wasn’t exactly avoidance on her part. More like she couldn’t help living in the moment with Nick, without any outside interference or external conflict. At least for a little while.
Now she focused on her current project, chatting it up with the townsfolk who popped in and selling the merits of puppies as the perfect holiday gift.
She spent the better part of the afternoon at the pet shop. Around three, she had a commitment on the runt of the litter. Anna was delighted. And she knew Mary Price had already successfully raised two underdogs, so this tiny bundle of joy would be in great hands.
While Mary and her daughter were off selecting toys and a bed for their newly rescued pet, a small boy joined Anna and eyed the two other pups scurrying around in their pen.
He gazed up at Anna and said, “They have a lot of energy.”
“Yes, they do. And they require lots of attention. Though I also recommend crate-training them so that they’re someplace safe during the day if there’s no one to watch out for them. Makes it easier to house train them, too.”
“Can I play with them? My mom has a job interview at the diner right now.”
“Sure.”
She pulled open the gate and he stepped inside.
Anna went about her paperwork with the new adoption. Then her old friend Keifer Denton came in and he checked out both puppies, having decided to surprise his girlfriend with a dog—and an engagement ring. But he couldn’t decide between the boy or the girl Maltese as his choice. The male was a bit more playful. Scampered about, and continually ran straight to his playmate, sitting cross-legged in the pen. The kid fed him a treat and then rolled a ball that he chased.
Keifer continued his mental debate.
Anna wrapped up the adoption of the runt and then joined the kid in the pen. She said, “You’ve really made a friend here.”
“He’s a lot of fun.”
“Seems to like your voice, too. He always comes when you call him.”
“Yeah, he’d be cool to have at home,” the boy said. “But my mom says we can’t afford a pet. The food and all the stuff that goes with them. They have to be immunized and all that, you know?”
“I do know. I’m a veterinarian.”
The bell over the door jingled and the kid glanced toward the entrance of the store. “That’s my mom.” He rolled the ball one more time for the puppy. Then stood. “Thanks for letting me play with them.”
“I’ll be back here next week if I still have them. You’re welcome to come visit.”
“We don’t live in town. So I probably won’t be back.” He gave her the same forlorn look she’d seen on Jake’s face.
Geez, when had puppies and little boys become her emotional bane of existence?
She fought a groan. Swallowed down the lump in her throat. She held out her hand to the boy and said, “In case you are in the neighborhood again, I’m Dr. Anna Voss.”
They shook. “Nice to meet you. I’m Zander Thomas.”
Chapter Six
Anna stared after the kid as his mother ushered him outside.
For several seconds, she was rendered speechless. Motionless, even. Stunned by whatever mystical entity she’d thought of days ago that continued to haunt her.
It took some effort on Keifer’s part to get her attention. He gently gripped her elbow and shook her slightly. “Hey, Anna-Banana.” His nickname for her. “You okay?”
“Not so much,” she mumbled.
She stepped around her friend and reached for her purse, tucked into a cubbyhole under the enormous saltwater aquarium. She dug around inside and pulled out the snowflake from the Wish Tree at Big Sky Living.
Her pulse skittered as she unfolded the piece of white paper and read the whole thing.
Well. The two words other than the name of the child she’d unwittingly chosen to play Secret Santa to this year.
Under the section for the list of toys the kid wanted, he’d requested just one thing.
A dog.
“Fuck,” Anna said around the lump that returned, nearly choking her.
The kid had to have known that wish would never come true. The way this charitable gift-giving concept worked was that the donor returned to Big Sky Living and put all the wrapped presents under the tree to be distributed to the children, respectively. No one was going to just leave a puppy under the tree…
Yet he’d hoped for it, anyway. And hadn’t offered any alternatives.
Tears sprang to her eyes. Anna was supposed to purposely break this boy’s heart?
Keifer swooped in once more. “Whoa, what is it?” He carefully clasped her upper arms to steady her as she swayed a bit on her feet.
Anna drew in several breaths. Tried to remind herself that it wasn’t her destiny to save every Jake and Zander on the planet. Animals were her thing.
Then again… There had been a Zander prior to this one who she would have given her own life to save. In a heartbeat. No second thought to it, no questions asked, no hesitation whatsoever.
If only that had been an option.
It had not been.
Yet now it seemed she was fated to perform a holiday miracle. Where there was a will, there had to be a way, right? It was Christmas, after all.
She swiped at a tear and told Keifer, “The male puppy is no longer available. If you want one, it has to be the girl.”
“Sure, that’s fine. I’m cool with that. Shelley will love her.”
“Yeah, I think she will.”
“Anna…” His brow furrowed. “Are you okay?”
She gave a slight shake of her head. “I have to go. Take the puppy if you’re committed to her. I’ll email the paperwork. She has her shots and has been thoroughly examined. Bring her back to me next week for a follow-up. Feed her the soupy mixture first, then add in chunkier pieces.” She thrust the instructions at him that she’d typed up to accompany the rescue process. “Just take this. I’ll call you later tonight to make sure everything’s all right.”
“Anna, I can handle a puppy. You, on the other hand, are scaring the shit out of me.”
“I’ll be fine. I just need some air.” She collected the last puppy and packed up. Was out the door less than five minutes later.
She drove back to the ranch and handed the little Maltese to Darla, who obviously noted Anna’s distress and was about to inquire about it, but Anna couldn’t talk about the oddness in her life of late and instead sought out Hunter Parkins, another of her techs. The former competitive boarder she’d mentioned to Jake.
Since she’d already invited Nick and his son up for dinner, she figured she might as well follow through with asking Hunter to provide some instruction. He was more than happy to oblige, so Anna texted Nick to bring along boarding equipment, telling him to come early if he wanted, because the clinic wasn’t busy this afternoon.
The three guys spent a couple of hours on the hill to the west while Anna pulled herself together and prepped for dinner. Nick came in as more snow blanketed the mountain. He entered from the deck, having shaken off the flakes from his jacket and draped it on a chair protected by the porch overhang.
He stood in front of the fire in the living room for a few minutes, rubbing his hands together, then joined Anna at the island.
“Jake’s still out there?” she asked.
“The kid is impervious to inclement weather. So is Hunter. They’re having a blast. Apparently Hunter doesn’t leave home without his gear. He had everything in his Land Cruiser.”
“He hits the slopes every chance he gets. That’s how I knew he’d be interested in giving Jake lessons. How’s he doing?”
“Picking it up quickly. And there’s enough fresh powder that he’s falling in fluff, so no worries at the moment that he’s going to hurt himself.”
She gave a tight smile. “I know it’s impossible not to fully worry. But kids do need some adventure in their lives.”
“I’d be a hypocrite to say otherwise.”
Nick studied her a second or two while she washed and dried her hands after slicing veggies she’d tossed in the salad. She was also serving Frenched rack of lamb with various dipping sauces she’d concocted and homemade sweet potato fries.
Nick’s gaze on her narrowed. “Everything okay, sweetheart?”
Anna sighed. “Just more Twilight Zone weirdness,” she muttered.
“I’m not following you.”
She put the salad in the fridge and turned back to Nick. “Who is Jake’s mom? What did she—or does she—mean to you? Is she even alive?”
Nick reached for the bottle of merlot on the granite-topped island and poured a glass. Splashed a little more into Anna’s as well. He gulped down a healthy drink, then said, “It’s a little complicated, honey.”
“I know a thing or two about complicated, Nick.” She gave him a keen look.
“Yes, you do.” Nick took another sip before telling her, “I didn’t marry Jake’s mother, as I said last night. I’ve never been married, Anna.” He speared her with an earnest expression. “And I wasn’t involved romantically with Jake’s mom. Ever.”
“Then how did you end up with her son?”
“This is where it gets compl
icated. See, Crystal—Jake’s mom—brought him to the ER when I was in my general surgery internship. Jake was two. He’d taken a tumble down the stairs while chasing a ball in their apartment building and broke his arm.”
Anna sank onto a high-backed, upholstered stool and reached for her wine, already knowing she was about to join Nick on an emotional roller coaster ride.
“I treated Jake,” Nick continued. “And goddamn it, he was one brave little kid. But it wasn’t just Jake I was concerned about. Crystal was visibly exhausted, so fatigued she had purple crescents under her sunken-in eyes. She was obviously trying very hard to follow my every word when I spoke to her, clearly wanting to do what she could for Jake after we put him in a cast. She was upset over his injury, but there was something else that gnawed at me.”
Anna sat forward, listening intently.
Nick told her, “I asked Crystal if she’d allow me to take some blood to see if she was anemic. She instantly panicked. So then I worried that maybe she was on meth or some other drug she didn’t want me finding out about. It took some time to get her to admit that she couldn’t afford Jake’s trip to the ER—she worked as a cleaning lady in corporate offices and she’d have to pick up extra graveyard shifts to foot the bill. She didn’t want to spend additional money on herself…and feared if I tested her, we’d discover something she couldn’t cover financially.”
“Damn,” Anna said. “Too common an occurrence for your patients as it is for pet parents; on a totally different scale, of course. Something such as cancer surgery and a treatment plan can be a cash drain and adversely impact someone’s quality of life, as much as the illness itself.”
“Yes.”
“So what happened?”
“I told her we’d figure out the expenses later. Drew the blood. And…” He sighed and sipped some more. “Turned out to be much worse than anemia.”
Anna’s stomach clenched. “What was it?”
“Crystal’s white blood cell count was low. I ran more tests, but from the jaundiced skin that her makeup had covered the first time I’d met her, I knew it was liver disease. Advance-staged. Without a transplant, there was no way to cure her.”
Holiday Heat: The Men of Starlight Bend Page 26