Holiday Heat: The Men of Starlight Bend

by Ashley Jennifer

  “Nick,” Anna breathed.

  “Fucking nightmare, I know. She was a single mother barely making ends meet, doing everything she could to provide Jake a comfortable life and put food on the table. While I was testing Crystal, I had follow-up visits with Jake. And… I don’t know. There was just something about him that—” He groaned in frustration.

  “That what?” she gently coaxed.

  “I knew I couldn’t save Crystal. But every time I left them, I wondered what I could do for Jake. And extrapolated that out in my mind to when his mother would be gone. She didn’t have much family. Certainly no one who could help her or take Jake.”

  “So you did.”

  Nick shoved out of his stool and started to pace. “Financially, I was in the perfect position in which to do so. Personally, professionally and timewise? Not exactly. But there was just something about this little boy that spoke volumes to me. Maybe it was that he looks fragile on the outside but is really tough as nails. All the blond hair and the big alert eyes and the fact that every time I had to poke and prod, he sucked it up and let me examine him without a peep. I don’t know. He just sort of...reminded me of…you.”

  Nick halted and pinned her with a look. “Jake made me think of you. When we were children and we’d help baby birds that had fallen from their nest or we’d print out flyers to post all over town when someone’s cat or dog went missing. He struck me as the kind of kid who’d take his lumps and bounce back. And I wanted to give him a fighting chance.”

  “Jesus, Nick.” Anna set her glass aside. “That’s incredible.”

  He raked a hand through his hair. “Not so much. I mean, I eventually had to explain to him what happened to his mother. I took him in and adopted him. Then Ruby went to New York—completely of her own doing—to help care for him. I hired others for their assistance and tried to do everything I could to make sure Jake had a good life. But in the back of my head, I knew the day would come when he’d want to know why Crystal died.”

  “There was nothing you could do for her, Nick.”

  “That was the excruciating part. He reached the age where he knew what I did for a living. He understood that I operated on people with the intent of saving their lives. Then I had to tell him that I couldn’t save his mom.”

  Anna was out of her seat in a heartbeat. She crossed to where he stood and wound her arms around his neck. Held him tight. “I admit I’m relieved you never married. But I’m also sorry about what happened with Jake’s mom.”

  “I knew you’d understand. And that you could commiserate with him, since you lost your mother, too.”

  She pulled slightly away. Gazed up at Nick. “Then why didn’t you tell me about all of this before now?”

  He grimaced. “Our communications became less frequent my second year at Harvard. I was swamped and you were starting college and were wrapped up in your own studies and activities. Plus life in Starlight Bend when you came home for the weekends. You helped Doc Harding in his clinic. That took up a lot of your time.”

  She nodded. “Yes. I suppose we both got caught up in building our futures. Just took me a little longer to realize they weren’t going to be intertwined.”

  “Anna.” His lips swept along her temple. “That doesn’t mean I wasn’t thinking about you. It just got a bit complex between us because of the distance and the different lifestyles and goals.”

  “Not to mention the vast change in friends and all your high-society networking.”

  “You would have been just fine in that crowd with me,” he said. “Though I likely would not have fared well with all the guys lusting after you.”

  Her fingers curled around the soft material of his cashmere sweater at his chest. “I was never, nor have I become, the type of woman your urbanite billionaire buddies would find even the tiniest bit interesting. Montana born and raised—and if there’s not a horse within two miles of me, I start to panic.”

  He chuckled sexily. “Always did love that about you. And it has always astonished me that you look in a mirror every morning and honestly have no fucking clue how beautiful you are.”

  She groaned. “I don’t care about that. Honestly… It’s only ever mattered what you see.”

  “I see a woman who can accept that I felt compelled to help another woman by raising her child. Bringing him into my home after she died and giving him my last name.”

  “Very saintly of you.”

  He laughed heartier this time. “Oh, no. I could be struck down by lightning this very second and burn in hell for the wicked fantasies I have—every single one of which you star in, sweetheart.”

  She smiled through the disconcertion that had been eating away at her. She couldn’t help it. He stirred her senses and lightened her heart. “I’m not going to complain about that.”

  He kissed her and Anna’s thighs went up in flames. The man made her hot. So damn hot.

  When they eventually came up for air, she said, “It’s too bad we’re two ships passing in the night. I could get used to these kisses. Much more aggressive than when we were younger. Deeper, darker…more daring. There are things you want to do me that you haven’t done to me yet, aren’t there, Nick Hoffman?”

  “Hell, yes,” he said without missing a beat, heat flaring in his emerald eyes.

  Anna’s nipples tightened behind her lacy bra and pink sweater. She pressed her lips to his and let him kiss her senseless.

  Until they were interrupted.

  “That was a blas—whoa!” Jake exclaimed as he barreled through the doors from the deck.

  Anna and Nick leapt apart. Though her heart thundered and her chest rose and fell quickly from the firestorm Nick ignited within her—with just a kiss.

  Her cheeks flushed as Jake grinned knowingly. Hunter was with him and he crooked a brow at his boss as he quipped, “Doc Voss, you little harlot.”

  She let out a sharp laugh. “Hardly. It’s not what you think. We were just—”

  “Kissing,” Jake declared, his eyes lighting up. “We busted you.” His gaze shifted to Nick. “She’s really pretty, Dad. And I like her.” Flashing a glance Anna’s way once more, he asked, “When should I be ready for dinner? I need to wash up.”

  Her mind stuttered.

  Jake simply stared. Not the least bit fazed by the horrifically awkward situation.

  Nick stepped toward his son and tousled his hair, dislodging some of the snow on the ends. He’d removed his hat and outerwear, as had Hunter, and left them piled on top of Nick’s on the deck.

  Nick said, “Go get ready and I’ll make you some hot chocolate. I brought your favorite kind along—peppermint with marshmallows.” To Hunter, he offered, “It’d be great if you could stay. I really appreciate what you’ve done for Jake.”

  “No worries at all, Dr. Hoffman. I would’ve been on my board with or without him. Nice to have some company. But it was getting dark, so we figured we’d better head in.”

  “I’m sure he’ll be talking about this for weeks. And it’s just Nick.”

  “All right.”

  “How about some wine?” Anna suggested, slowly coming around. She wasn’t quite sure what had scrambled her brain more—Nick’s kisses or Jake’s acceptance of what he’d just walked in on.

  Maybe it hadn’t disturbed him because, as Nick had stated, Jake’s adoptive dad had never been romantically involved with his mother. And Jake had only been two when Crystal had passed, so his memories of her would be fairly limited. Though Anna had no doubt Nick did whatever he possibly could to help Jake know who his mother was—as much as Nick knew of her, at any rate.

  Hell of a situation to be in. But Nick had never been one to shy away from difficult situations. In fact, he’d been the one to bolster Anna’s confidence when she’d deliberated over pursuing her desired career path as she’d become increasingly aware of the downside of being a veterinarian.

  He’d told her she had a gift when it came to soothing riled animals and he’d also convinced her she coul
d handle helping people through the injury and suffering so they could cope better with any diagnosis—similar to the way she’d helped her step-dad.

  Admittedly, having to put down a prized pig or steer, a horse or a family pet had been her biggest fear. Yet Nick had given her the strength to believe she could be effective in every capacity required of her. And she was eternally indebted to him for that.

  While she finished preparing the meal, he chatted with Hunter and then Jake joined them. Nick instructed his son on where all the dishes and flatware were located when Anna confirmed she’d never rearranged the kitchen, and Jake set the table.

  Hunter headed home following dinner. He was only a mile away, but the snow was coming down hard now and wouldn’t let up for some time, so he only had a small window of opportunity to not get stuck in it.

  Nick placed one more call to his grandmother, who informed him that not only was she perfectly capable of taking care of herself, she had the live-in nurse he’d insisted upon as backup. Anna heard all of this on speakerphone. She and Jake shared a smile.

  Then Ruby said they all might as well stay up on the mountain because the roads in town hadn’t yet been plowed. And she was still in the throes of an invigorating mock-tournament with Meline, who lived just two doors down from her.

  With no real reason for Nick and his son to be on their way, Anna suggested their own tournament—of Hearts.

  Chapter Seven

  “I can’t believe you won all three games,” Jake whined as he tossed his cards aside.

  Anna grinned. “Well, you nearly had me on that last hand.”

  “Yeah, it was in the bag until you zapped me with the Queen of Spades.”

  Sitting across the table from his son, Nick said, “I warned you Anna knows what she’s doing. Though you did have a very impressive showing.”

  “Still came in dead last with the most points,” he lamented.

  “I had to step up my game to reign,” Anna said. “I don’t think I’ve ever had to work so hard at my strategy.”

  “I got it down there at the very end.” Jake raised a brow. “So I hereby challenge you to a rematch.”

  “Then I’ll have to come up with a new game plan.” She winked at the kid.

  Nick chuckled.

  Anna packed up the deck of cards, score-keeping pad and pen and disappeared into her office with them. When she returned, Jake was stifling a yawn.

  “Put him in my old bedroom,” she told Nick. To Jake, she said, “No fluffy girl stuff, I promise. An all-equestrian motif.”

  Nick explained to his son, “Anna’s competitive nature spans many endeavors, including horse jumping. Her room is filled with blue ribbons and trophies.”

  “Wow, you actually jump horses?” Jake asked as he gazed up at her from where he still sat at the table.

  “It was sort of a family tradition. My mom was a champion jumper and she taught me. Her mother had taught her. And my great-grandmother had taught my grandmother.”

  “You get to do the coolest stuff,” Jake said in awe.

  Nick felt a slight sting over those words. Not that Jake had meant to twist a knife—Nick knew that would never be his intention. Jake was just doing what Anna always did—point out the obvious.

  Nick couldn’t deny that everything he’d learned here at the ranch, all the experiences he’d gained in and around Starlight Bend, had shaped him as a person and had enriched his life. Even more so than the high-society parties, golf tournaments with senators, country club dinners, etcetera.

  All the things meant to build upon his pedigree were important for his reputation, of course, and contributed to his family name and legacy. But Nick had always felt more connected to this universe than the other one—knew that what he’d been exposed to because Ruby had been willing to take him in was like a bonus round in the game of life.

  Had his parents stayed together, Nick would have grown up solely in Manhattan. He never would have gotten to know Ruby the way he had. Never would have met Anna.

  That was all completely inconceivable to him.

  Not that he disliked living in New York in adulthood. He and Jake shared a large apartment overlooking Central Park and Nick enjoyed the restaurants, opera, charity events and whatnot. But he also held a deep appreciation for all that Montana had to offer. Technically, he’d grown up having the best of both worlds at his doorstep.

  Including the stunning blond he could never get enough of, which made this homecoming bittersweet in that Nick had spent a lifetime leaving her and wasn’t going to break the pattern anytime soon.

  His gut clenched, but he was no fool when it came to what all of his responsibilities and obligations entailed.

  Though, even as he playfully hoisted Jake over his shoulder and his son squealed in delight, Nick shot a serious look toward Anna. And wondered if there was even the slightest chance under the big Montana sky that he could have the best of both worlds again. His career, his son…and the girl.

  Nick pondered this as he carted Jake up the curving staircase and settled him in Anna’s old bed.

  “Thanks for letting me stay up late,” Jake said.

  “It’s actually not late at all. You’re exhausted from snowboarding.”

  “I’m not too bad at it, huh?”

  “You were fantastic,” Nick assured him. “If you just want to board in Aspen, I’m perfectly fine with that.”

  “No, I want to ski, too, Dad,” he insisted. “Can’t I do both?”

  Those words tugged on Nick’s heartstrings. Jake didn’t have to be his biological offspring to share commonalities that meant so much to Nick. He said, “Of course you can do both. Whatever you want, buddy. I mean…aside from swimming with sharks and the like.”

  Jake laughed and it turned into another yawn. “I was thinking horse jumping sounds cool. Not so big on the sharks.”

  “Good call. Now,” Nick said as he pulled the down comforter up to Jake’s chin. “Get some rest. I’ll be downstairs on the couch if you need me. Otherwise, I’ll come get you when breakfast is ready. There’s a bathroom right next door.”

  “Anna has a really nice house,” Jake said in a sleepy voice. His eyelids dipped. “I like it here, Dad. I like her.”

  Nick’s gut twisted again. “Yeah, so do I, buddy. So do I.” He bent over Jake and dropped a kiss on his forehead. “Sleep.”

  Then he flipped on the equestrian-themed nightlight and left the room.

  Nick went downstairs and out to the Cherokee to retrieve his overnight bag. He knew well enough to always keep water, blankets, safety supplies and a change of clothing in the vehicle this time of year. He’d packed for Jake as well.

  He set the bag on a leather chair in the living room and stoked the fire. Turned out the lights and poured a couple snifters of brandy. The tall glass panes overlooking the property caught the reflection of the flames in the hearth and created a seductive ambience. Enhanced by Anna’s arrival.

  She came into the room wearing a full-length silk nightgown and robe in a champagne color, with lots of lace to accentuate all her feminine curves. And her plump breasts were practically spilling out of the tight bodice.

  Nick’s groin tightened.

  She’d taken her hair out of her ponytail holder and the long, loose curls fell over her shoulders and down her back. Her grayish-hazel eyes were smoky with her usual makeup and her slightly parted lips were glossy.

  He said, “You realize you make it impossible to think of anything other than making love to you when you look like that.”

  “That is the intention.” She smiled saucily at the use of his words from last night, when he’d been between her legs, about to put his mouth on her. About to make her come.

  Nick handed over a glass. She sipped her brandy while gazing up at him. He honestly did lose all train of thought when she was close by. Thank God Hunter had worn Jake out on the slopes. The kid would be sawing some serious logs all night long.

  An unexpected chuckle escaped Nick.
/>   “What?” Anna asked.

  “I suddenly thought of the first sleepover you and I had. We were just kids. We’d been with your mom and Travis at regionals and both you and your mom had won your classes so Travis treated us all to mammoth Porterhouses in Whitefish. Said he’d give me twenty bucks if I could polish off an entire forty-eight-ounce steak in under an hour.”

  “Oh, Jesus.” Anna rolled her eyes. “First, you were the last person in Montana who needed twenty bucks, so it was insane for you to have even agreed. And second…no one at the table could come remotely close to eating that much beef, even if we’d split one steak. We all had doggie bags we ate from for the next few days.”

  “Except me.”

  “That is because you can never find the sensibility to back down from a challenge.”

  Nick grinned. “Especially when it involves food. Anyway, I devoured that three-pound sucker and then crashed so hard afterward, you said I was sawing logs in my sleep on the drive back to the ranch. Travis didn’t even bother waking Ruby in the middle of the night. Just brought me here—but made me sleep on the couch so everyone upstairs didn’t have to hear me.”

  She laughed softly. “It wasn’t so much the snoring, though that was highly amusing. You belched like a sailor on every other breath. It was so hysterical, it kept us all up, laughing. And you slept right through our hooting and snorting.”

  “That steak was the size of my head, sweetheart. And I ate every bite.”

  “Then bypassed solid food for a week. Steel-cut oatmeal became your best friend.”

  Nick frowned. “Forgot about that part. I was sucking down a lot of Pepto, too.”

  “Travis was impressed. Boys,” she snickered and shook her head.

  “Come on,” Nick said before draining his brandy and setting the snifter on the mantel. “You always liked that I stood up to any dare presented.”

  “Sure. It’s all fun and games until someone has to have their stomach pumped.”

  “I did not have to have my stomach pumped.”