“Well, for now I can protect myself,” Sloane said as she tugged her hand out of her friend’s grasp. “When the time is right, I will tell him. Until then, it stays between us.”
Nodding, Katy moved away at the sound of a door slamming in the back of the building. “That would be my brothers,” she said with a grin. “Creed’s the quietest of the bunch, and trust me, that’s not saying much.”
“Sloane,” Cassie cried as she ran across the room to her. Opening her arms, Sloane accepted the hug from the child, pulling her close and placing a soft kiss on her forehead.
“Hello, Princess,” she said as she ran a hand down her long hair. “How was school today?”
“Good,” was the excited reply. “Next week is Spring Break. Daddy took the whole week off and we are spending it together!”
“That sounds like fun,” Sloane said, basking in the child’s happiness. Looking up, she saw Creed watching their exchange. Narrowing his eyes, he nodded and turned away. Well, that was a different reaction than earlier, she thought. Hoping she hadn’t somehow offended him, Sloane smiled at the two men who came in with Creed and Cassie, introducing herself. “Hello. I’m Sloane Murphy.”
One of the men swaggered over to Sloane. “Well, hey there, pretty lady. Katy tells us you’re from South Dakota?” he drawled. Damn, they really did know how to grow them here in Texas, she thought as she took him in. He was not Creed, but he was definitely a looker. Creed had thick dark brown hair and arresting, hazel eyes. He was tall and stocky with a set of drool worthy broad shoulders. The man approaching her had more of a lanky build with dark blond hair and clear, blue eyes.
“Hey now,” another voice said. “Back off, I saw her first.” Oh my Sloane thought as she stood mesmerized. This one was just as sexy, with short, dark blond hair and green eyes. He was stocky, but not as broad shouldered as Creed.
Was she going to compare every guy to Creed now? She had a feeling if she did, no one else would measure up. Then what the last one had said finally registered. They were arguing over her. She hadn’t had that happen since her college days.
Sloane burst out laughing as an older woman with short, brown hair sprinkled with grey and laughing green eyes walked up behind them. Smacking them both on the back of the head, the woman said, “Show some respect, boys. Besides, Creed saw her before either of you.” Walking past them, she reached a hand out to Sloane, smiling warmly. “Hello, I’m Cara Caldwell, Creed’s mom. And these two hoodlums are Ryder and Caiden.”
“Creed’s brothers,” Sloane said smiling. “He mentioned them this morning.”
“This morning?” Ryder asked wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
“Yep,” she shot back, “at breakfast right before he left for work.” She could have kicked herself after she said it, but she could not help it. Cocky little shits. Let them think she and Creed had woken up together and shared breakfast.
Cara chuckled at the dumbfounded expression on Caiden’s face. “What, you don’t think your brother has a life?” she asked him.
“Well, not really,” Ryder responded. “I don’t think the guy’s been laid since Cassie’s mom left nine years ago.”
“Ryder,” Caiden growled, “Shut the hell up, man.”
Just the thought of Creed having sex with some random woman was enough to upset Sloane. She had no idea where this jealousy was coming from, but she decided it was something she would think about later. She refused to dwell on it now.
“Can we stop talking about my sex life, or lack thereof, and get Sloane’s things moved in?” Creed growled from where he was leaning against the far wall
Wagging his eyebrows playfully, Caiden stepped forward and held out a hand to Sloane. “Show me what you need moved, beautiful. Then let me take you out to dinner.”
Laughing, Sloane took his hand, ignoring Creed’s glare and placed her other hand in Cassie’s. “I already have a dinner invitation for the evening, but thank you.”
“What? Who’s trying to steal my girl already?” Ryder exclaimed as he placed his hands on his hips in mock irritation. Shaking her head in exasperation, Sloane tugged her hand back out of Caiden’s and pulled Cassie with her out of the store and into the back alley.
Opening up the back of the U-Haul, she motioned inside. “I need these things taken up to my apartment, and then I bought a few things from the furniture store on the square. If you wouldn’t mind picking them up too, I would really appreciate it.”
“Where are all the boxes?” Creed asked shortly. “I thought I told you we would carry everything in for you.”
Looking at him in confusion, wondering where the sweet man she’d met before was, Sloane told him, “I’ve already carried them upstairs and unpacked them. I needed the boxes to pack up the books in the store for now.”
Ignoring her, Creed walked into the back of the U-Haul and picked up the queen sized mattress. Stalking past her, he snarled to the others, “Stop jacking around and get this stuff upstairs.” Not waiting for a response, he went through the door and hefted the mattress up the stairs.
“I’m sorry, Sloane,” Cara said quietly. “I’m not sure what’s gotten into that pigheaded son of mine.”
Shaking her head in bewilderment, Sloane whispered, “It’s okay, Cara. Something’s obviously bothering him. It will work itself out. Right now, why don’t you guys go get the stuff from Thompson’s Furniture Store before they close. Katy and I can help Creed unload the U-Haul. I need to return it before dinner.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Cara agreed. “Cassie and I will run home and get dinner made. I will see you all there as soon as you’re done.”
After everyone left, Katy and Sloane grabbed the box springs and started hauling it upstairs. Creed met them halfway up, and taking it from them, hauled it the rest of the way.
Wondering what the hell had crawled up his ass, Sloane went back to get something else. As she came out of the trailer carrying the bed railings, Creed’s voice boomed, “Where the hell did Ryder and Caiden go?”
Before she could stop herself, Sloane dropped the railings and ran back in the trailer. Shaking, she tried to get herself under control. Shit, she knew it was just Creed. She’d heard stories of him and his brothers for years. There was no way any of them would lay a hand on her. But every so often something would trigger her fear and she was defenseless against it. Hoping no one saw her act of cowardice, Sloane stayed in the front of the U-Haul trying to catch her breath.
“Sloane,” she heard a soft voice say, breaking through the fog in her mind. “Sloane, sweetie, it’s okay. It’s just me, Kat. Creed’s outside waiting for us.”
Lifting tear-filled eyes to Katy, Sloane whispered, “Maybe I’m still a little broken after all.” Catching her breath on a sob, she whispered, “I’m sorry. His voice was just so loud and angry. It startled me.”
“I would never hurt you, Sloane,” she heard Creed say from the door of the trailer. “Never.”
Looking up at him, she wrapped her arms around her waist. “So much for not telling him my secrets right away, huh?” she said hoarsely to Katy.
Creed stepped forward cautiously, his eyes never leaving hers. “I’m sorry I scared you, Sweetheart. I didn’t mean to.”
Nodding, Sloane whispered, “I know. It wasn’t you I was scared of, Creed. I know you would never hurt me.”
Reaching out, Creed trailed a gentle finger down her cheek, ignoring Katy as she made her way out of the trailer. “Do you want to talk about it?” he asked.
Sighing deeply, Sloane told him, “Not really, but I guess you have a right to know what you could potentially be getting yourself in for.” Shaking her head in disgust, she crossed her arms and raised her head defiantly. “All I am going to say right now is I have an ex named Jake Matthews. He was physically abusive. I took it for a while before I woke up and decided I wasn’t going to be a statistic. I fought back. The last time he came at me, I took the bastard down using some defense moves I learned at my gym. Now I have a r
estraining order against him, which I guess I better see about getting one in this county. I haven’t seen him in a couple of years, and I’m happy. I’m doing great. But some things set me off every once in a while. I’m sorry you had to see one of my episodes.”
“I’m not,” Creed said softly as he pulled her stiff body into his arms. “I’m just sorry I was the cause of it.” He held her for several more minutes in silence, until they heard the sound of his brothers returning. Leaning down, he kissed her softly on the lips and left without another word. She still didn’t know why he’d had such a piss poor attitude earlier, but she did know one thing. She loved the feel of his arms around her and his lips on hers. She wanted to feel that again.
Chapter 4
The rest of the move had gone by surprisingly fast. Within an hour everything was unloaded and in its place, her bed was put together and ready for her to crawl into when she got home, and Creed insisted on taking the U-Haul back for her, giving her time to shower before going to his parents.
Turning onto the rock driveway that led up to the ranch, Sloane passed under a large sign that arched across the drive stating Caldwell Ranch. She stopped the car and stared in awe at what she could see of the place in the dimming light.
The ranch was beautiful. Sloane had never seen a place like it before. There was a large main log home with two levels and an attached two car garage. Several yards to the south of the house stood a four car garage, also built out of logs. What Sloane assumed was an apartment expanded the top of it. There was a bright red barn to the north of the house with a white wooden corral beside it, and she was able to see the lights of another building several yards behind it. Beyond that, Sloane could see two more corrals and acres of barren land surrounded by barbed wire fence. It was absolutely stunning.
Pulling forward and parking in front of the house, Sloane slowly slid out of the vehicle and smiled in pleasure at the pure beauty that surrounded her. She would love to wake up to this every morning.
At the sound of horses’ hooves pounding across the ground, Sloane turned. Excitement slammed through her as she watched several horses racing across the pasture towards her. She hadn’t ridden in so long. She used to ride daily until she married Jake. He immediately put a stop to her riding after the wedding. Anything that he perceived as a threat, he made her stop. Since she loved horses, they were a threat. He’d had a jealous streak like no other. She wasn’t allowed to love anyone or anything like she loved Jake.
Shaking off thoughts of her ex, Sloane stood and watched the playfulness of the animals. She laughed in delight as the horses whinnied and pranced around before heading into the barn.
The front door slammed as Ryder walked out, some carrots in his hand. “Hey, Sloane,” he grinned. “Wanna give the horses a treat?”
“Sure,” she said excitedly. Taking a handful of the carrots, she followed Ryder into the barn and over to where the horses were milling around in an enclosed pen. The gate was open so they could come and go into the pasture as they pleased.
Sticking her arm through the fence, Sloane fed a carrot first to one horse, then another. She giggled as she felt the soft lips of one tickle the palm of her hand. Reaching in with her other arm, she stroked the neck of a beautiful Paint.
“Do you ride?” Ryder asked as he handed her the rest of the carrots and went to get grain for the horses.
“I love riding,” Sloane responded as she scratched the Paint between the ears. “I used to ride all of the time growing up. I haven’t been on a horse in years, though.”
“Well, we will have to change that,” Ryder said in a low voice from close behind her; close enough to feel his breath on her neck.
Startled, Sloane dropped the carrots and moved quickly away from him. Shaking her head, she pointed a finger at him, “Don’t do that again, Ryder.”
Cocking an eyebrow, he asked teasingly, “And if I do?”
“I will kick you in the fucking balls,” she snarled. “You do not sneak up on me. You do not attempt to touch me. Got it?” Sloane had taken her life back after a year of continued abuse. She would choose who touched her and when.
Holding his hands out in surprise, he backed away. “Yeah, Sloane, I got it. What the hell?”
As he left the barn, Sloane collapsed against a bale of hay. At this rate, all of Katy’s brothers were going to think she was bat shit crazy. It wasn’t that she was afraid of being touched. It just depended on who was doing the touching. She accepted Creed’s touch just fine. But she didn’t want Ryder trying to make advances. He seemed like a nice guy, but he wasn’t Creed.
Resting her head in her hands, she decided this emotional rollercoaster she found herself on today had to stop. She vowed it would stop now. There was no reason to be afraid of anyone here in Serenity Springs. No reason to freak out when someone got too close. Closing her exhausted eyes, she sat there and told herself over and over again that she was better…stronger. She wasn’t scared of her own shadow anymore. She was happy. All of which was true…most of the time.
Chapter 5
Creed made his way to his parents’ house that night for dinner after dropping the U-Haul off at the rental place in town. His brother, Justice, was in the military. Finding out a year ago that he was missing in action had been one of the hardest things Creed’s family had ever gone through. Since then, Creed made it a point to go to eat at least twice a week with his family so he could spend time with them.
Linc and Justice were very close, and when word came in that Justice was missing, Linc had closed up. Two months later when the army declared Justice dead, Linc had taken off on the rodeo circuit. Creed lost two brothers then, not just one. They had not heard a word from Linc since he left. Creed was able to keep track of him through some contacts he had in different towns, but it wasn’t the same. He wanted his brother home. Both of his brothers.
The Caldwells did not believe Justice was dead. With no body to prove it, they were holding strong in their belief that he was still out there. The family was very close and they needed each other now more than ever.
Creed sighed when he saw Sloane’s car parked in front of his parents’ house. He owed her a huge apology. He’d been such an ass earlier. When Cassie ran straight for Sloane the minute they walked into her bookstore, his heart had stopped. All he could think about was protecting his daughter. He fought with himself, telling himself he couldn’t let Cassie get close to Sloane. Hell, he’d only met her the day before. It didn’t matter that Katy had talked about her off and on for years. Until yesterday, he had never actually met her. He didn’t know her. But he wanted to.
Walking up the stairs and into his parents’ house, Creed felt like he was coming home. He and Cassie had lived in their own place for several years now, but he still never felt the same way that he did when walking through the door of his parents’ house.
Smiling as he smelled the lasagna and garlic bread his mom had in the oven, Creed made his way to the kitchen. He had been swamped at work and didn’t have a chance to eat lunch. He was paying for it now.
As Creed walked into the kitchen, he saw his mom taking the lasagna out of the oven. The garlic bread was sitting on the counter in a basket beside her. Taking a chance, he reached out and snatched one, getting his hand smacked on the way back. Laughing, he started eating the bread, but paused when he saw the look on his mom’s face. There was sadness there, but also guilt. “What’s wrong, Ma?” he questioned softly. As tears filled her eyes, he heard his brothers and sister come in the room.
“Your brother’s a dumbass, that’s what’s wrong,” his dad stated as he followed them in.
Creed lifted his eyebrows. “Yeah, so what else is new?”
“I’m so sorry, Creed,” his mom said as she placed her hand on his arm.
As Creed looked at her in confusion, Ryder stepped forward. “It’s my fault, man. I’m sorry. I had no idea that Sloane was afraid to be touched. Katy told us about her ex and how he hurt her. I didn’t mean to scare her
.”
As the meaning of what Ryder was saying hit him, Creed stepped forward and snarled, “Where’s Sloane?”
“Cassie, why don’t you go play in the living room until we get this sorted out,” he heard his mom say. But all Creed could think was that the one woman that made him feel any kind of real attraction in years was hurting. He had just met Sloane yesterday, but he was ready to fight for her.
As Creed closed in on Ryder, he felt his father’s hand on his arm. “Settle down, son. I’m sure she’s fine. She is out in the barn with the horses. Katy was going to go out with her, but we decided to give her a little time alone first.”
“Sloane has been through so much,” Katy said from where she sat at the table. “I can tell there is a huge improvement. There’s a happiness in her that I haven’t seen since college. A spring in her step. I think today’s just a bad day because she’s exhausted and it’s making her emotional.”
Tempting His Heart Page 3