******
“Yes, I have it, sir. I’ll be there in thirty.” Kade shoved the phone back in his pocket. He’d parked outside Brooke’s apartment building, where he’d been ever since Clive told him Brooke left Arizona for San Diego.
Kade watched Brooke enter her apartment, considering if it was wise or foolish to knock on her door. Foolish won out and he stayed seated on his chopper, doo rag around his head, and helmet resting in his lap. He thought of his last night at the ranch. She’d made a comment which played over and over in his mind the last few weeks.
You have no idea how much I wish I were a different person and could be what you want.
He’d let it go, not correcting her belief she wasn’t what he wanted. It would be better for her to think that than to know the truth. He wanted no other woman—only Brooke Sinclair.
Kade slid the helmet on his head, took one more look at her apartment, and rode off. In a matter of hours, he’d be free to do anything for the next ninety days. Anything except what he most wanted.
******
Kade tossed the paperwork on his kitchen table before grabbing a cold beer. He had to make a decision, and quick. His lease expired at the end of the month. Its location near the water and the manageable rent made up for the fact the place was a dump. Leaky faucets, faulty appliances, and a sieve for a roof didn’t bother Kade as much as committing to another six months.
Salgado purchased a two bedroom, two bath place with a harbor view several months ago. His situation didn’t compare to Kade’s. Nesto knew he’d be based in San Diego for a long time, whereas Kade didn’t know the location of his next assignment until weeks or sometimes just days beforehand. Nesto had told Kade he’d always have a place to crash and to not worry about renting an apartment. Maybe his friend was right.
Kade reached for another beer and twisted off the cap, flipping it into an open trash can a few feet away as his phone rang.
“Taylor.”
“Agent Taylor, this is Heath MacLaren.”
Kade sat up and set his beer down. “Yes, sir. What can I do for you?”
“I have a proposition for you, if you have a few minutes to talk.”
“As long as you need.”
“Brooke indicated you’re up for a leave of absence. Is that true?”
The question came from out of nowhere. “Yes. In fact I received approval today. My leave starts tomorrow.”
“Made any plans?” Heath asked.
“No, sir, not yet. Truth is, I’m not sure what I’ll do with the time.” Kade settled a hand around the beer bottle, rotating it in his hand and wondering what inspired the call.
“How about coming back out to the ranch? We have a need for another wrangler and I understand you have talents in that area. Short term of course. You’ll be paid and have the use of one of our cabins.”
“I don’t know what to say, Mr. MacLaren. It sounds, well, perfect.”
“Say yes and we’ll consider it a deal.”
He raked a hand through his hair and tried to think of any reason not to accept the offer. He came up empty.
“It may take me a few days to arrive.”
“No problem. Keep me posted and we’ll make sure your cabin is ready.”
“All right. And thank you, sir.”
Kade tossed his phone on a chair, then reconsidered and picked it up to dial his landlord. He left a message he wouldn’t be extending his lease, then called Nesto.
“Hey, man. What’s up?”
“Heath MacLaren called and offered me a job during my leave.”
“No kidding. Doing what?”
“Wrangling.” Kade could hear Nesto’s laughter and for the first time in days, a smile broke out on his face. “What’s so funny?”
“Are you joking? You know how long it’s been since you worked horses? Hell, you’ll be lucky to come back in one piece. Besides, what about Miss Sinclair?”
Kade sobered at the mention of Brooke. “She arrived in San Diego today. It’s doubtful she’ll return to the ranch for months, so the timing couldn’t be better.”
“Sounds like you want to avoid the woman.”
“It’s more like I have to, mi amigo. I’ll be in touch.”
******
“Tell me everything. I feel as if I’ve missed so much while off traveling with my parents.” Paige Wallace sat cross-legged on the area rug in Brooke’s living room, snacking on pita chips and sipping wine.
“There’s not much else. They arrested Perry and I came back here.” Brooke’s evasive answer had Paige’s eyes shining.
She and Brooke had met through Paige’s cousin, Shelly, who lived near the naval air base where Brooke’s stepbrother, Trey MacLaren, and his wife, Jesse, were stationed. Shelly had been dating Trey’s good friend, Ryan “Reb” Cantrell, for a while when Paige drove up to the central California base for a visit. Trey had encouraged her to connect with Brooke, a fellow student at the San Diego university, and they’d been friends ever since.
“And the hunk DEA agent you mentioned?” Paige asked.
“Did I use the work hunk?”
Paige topped off her wine and took a sip. “You didn’t have to. I could tell by your description and the look in your eyes. You think the man’s hot.”
Brooke rested her back against the sofa. “He is a hunk. Way too much of one for me.”
“Are you kidding? Any man would jump through hoops to be with you.” Paige bristled at the implication some gorgeous man wouldn’t be interested in Brooke.
Brooke smiled at her friend’s quick defense. “He’s an undercover DEA agent, for crying out loud. He rides a chopper, his uniform consists of torn jeans, a leather jacket, and one of those things they wrap around their heads.”
“A doo rag,” Paige said.
“Right. Anyway, he works nights, never knows where his next assignment will take him, and his companions are drug dealers and people of the worst sort. He lives on the edge, Paige, and I live in a small apartment with my books. I don’t even want to know the type of woman he finds attractive.” She gulped down the rest of her wine and poured another glass.
“Sure you do.” Paige glanced over the rim of her glass, her mind working over possibilities for getting her friend and the hunky agent together.
“Don’t even think about going there.”
“What?”
“I can see your mind working and it can just stop. He couldn’t have been more clear. I’m not the woman for him and I refuse to spend any more time wishing it were different.”
“In that case, I believe we should start talking about what type of man would be best for you.” She set her glass down and stood, grabbing a spiral notebook and pen before plopping on the sofa. “I’m ready.”
“This is ridiculous. I don’t need to make a list.”
“Of course you do. You have this crazy strong attraction for someone you believe is totally wrong for you. So, what kind of man is right?” Paige asked and settled further into the throw pillows on the sofa.
“Fine, I’ll go along for now, but only if I have another glass of wine.” Brooke poured one more glass, her last she vowed. She didn’t drink much. Somehow the conversation tonight had fueled her need for liquid courage, and why not? The last few weeks had been way beyond anything her staid, academic life ever dished up.
“We know you don’t like someone who works nights, ride motorcycles, wears leathers, or has a job requiring travel.” Paige wrote as she spoke. “Okay, what else?”
“Nights are all right, just not all the time, and I have nothing against leather or motorcycles.” She thought a moment about the last item Paige listed. “Most of the men I’ve met must do a certain amount of traveling.”
Paige scrunched her face. “Help me out here. Should I move these from the con side to the pro side?”
“How about putting a question mark next to them?” Brooke snorted and glanced at her half empty glass. Yep, she should slow down on the wine, or better yet, stop altogeth
er. Already her mind seemed fuzzy and the list Paige insisted on preparing sounded silly. She didn’t need a list to know what she wanted.
“I don’t think it works that way. If we’re going to do this right, you need to be clear about what you do and don’t want. How about we list the pros and forget the cons for now?”
“Fine. I want someone who’s smart, funny, and doesn’t take himself too seriously. He must have good values, work hard, and want a home and children.” She glanced at Paige. “How’s that?”
“What about attraction or personal chemistry? Don’t you want a man who makes your heart race every time he looks at you?” Paige asked.
Brooke tried to focus on the question, but her mind kept latching onto an image of Kade. Tight jeans molded to muscled thighs, arms that felt secure and comforting when wrapped around her, and a deep, rich voice that sent shivers through her body.
“Brooke, did you hear me?”
She tried to shake the image from her mind and found she couldn’t. “Sorry. I must be getting tired.” She yawned as if to prove her point.
Paige set down the notebook, still open to the page with the half completed list. “It’s time I headed home anyway. Let’s get together after you’re done presenting your research to the committee. And I have the perfect topic for us to discuss—getting you back into the dating scene.”
“I’m not certain…” Brooke began only to see Paige disappear outside.
She fell into bed, exhausted, and feeling detached—the way a person feels when they go about their day, moving from task to task, with a sense something is missing. Not an appointment they’ve forgotten, but more of an emptiness they can’t quite identify.
She lay awake, considering the questions Paige had thrown out. Almost a challenge to seek more than a careful, well-planned future, as if her friend knew the flaws in her thinking.
Kade made her feel desirable in ways she’d never experienced. His voice, unique scent, and tender touch ignited sensations beyond what she’d ever imagined and Brooke found herself craving what she knew would never be within her reach. He’d made it clear, there would be no future for them. And she’d agreed.
A long sigh escaped as she made a commitment to push thoughts of Kade aside and concentrate on what life did offer. She’d finish her doctoral program, obtain her designation, and take some much needed time off. Perhaps she’d travel, visit friends around the country, or return to Fire Mountain. For some reason, the last idea appealed to her most. She’d start there, surrounded by those she trusted, and begin a new chapter in her life.
Chapter Nine
“That’s the last of it.” Nesto placed the final box in the back of Kade’s truck. The chopper had been loaded on the trailer, the apartment cleaned, and utilities switched to the landlord. “I guess you’re set.”
“I’ll expect you in a month, and no bull about opting for Hawaii or the Caribbean.”
“You know you’ll owe me big time if I give up all the chicks on the islands for a bunch of horses and cows.” Nesto slapped his friend on the back as Kade climbed into his truck.
“Last I checked, there are women in Fire Mountain, mi amigo, and they’re a hell of a lot more your style.” Kade slipped on his dark glasses and turned the key. “I’ll be in touch.”
He hit the interstate, cranked up his tunes, and sat back, trying to remember the last time he’d taken time off. Images of palm trees, the sounds of steel drums, and bikini clad women brought back memories of the time he and Nesto vacationed in Jamaica. They’d both opted not to reenlist, deciding to move into government jobs of another kind. Nesto had three weeks to kill and Kade had two before reporting to their new jobs. Neither turned down any of the bounty available in the island paradise.
Now he headed for rest and recuperation of a different type. This R and R would be nothing like Kade had anticipated when he’d requested the leave several months before.
He had no idea what inspired Heath MacLaren to reach out to him, but the timing couldn’t have been better. Working with horses had been his salvation as an angry teenager and given him the confidence he needed to enlist in the Army and later into Special Forces. In a way, it felt as if he were returning to his roots, coming full circle and heading home.
The sun had set behind Fire Mountain when Kade turned his truck and trailer onto the long driveway leading to the main house. This time he returned as a private citizen to work as any other ranch hand instead of in his official capacity as a DEA agent. The difference felt good.
Kade climbed down and stretched, noting the lack of trucks and SUVs which normally clogged the area in front of the house. He looked toward the front door as Heath and Annie walked out.
“I see you made it.” Heath extended his hand. He looked past the truck to the trailer which held Kade’s chopper. “That’s quite a machine.”
Kade looked over his shoulder and grinned. “That she is. I’ve had her for a few years now. Do most of the work myself, although some of the cost is reimbursed by the department.”
“You’re just in time for supper. Afterwards I’ll show you the cabin where you’ll be staying. It’s not far.”
He followed them into the kitchen, surprised to see a young woman standing at the stove.
“Cassie, this is Kade Taylor. He’s the man we mentioned who’ll be working at the ranch for a few months. Kade, my daughter, Cassie,” Heath said.
Annie noticed how Cassie’s eyes grew wide at the sight of the strikingly handsome man who stood before her.
“It’s nice to meet you Mr. Taylor.”
“Pleasure’s mine.” Kade guessed Cassie to be in her early twenties.
“She attends college in the valley,” Annie said as she pulled plates from the cupboard. “It’s great when she can get away for a few days and come home.”
He vaguely remembered the mention of Heath’s children, but neither had been around during his last visit.
“I’ll bet it’s great to get away.” Kade reached out to take the bottle of beer Heath handed him.
“You have no idea.” She looked back at the pot on the stove and didn’t elaborate.
Kade watched as Annie put an arm around her stepdaughter. “It’ll all work out,” she whispered.
It didn’t take much for Kade to figure out something had happened with Cassie.
Everyone filled their plates and took seats at a small island between the kitchen and formal dining area. Kade liked the setup—informal and comfortable.
“Any updates you can give us on the arrests?” Heath asked.
“Mr. Worton pleaded guilty at his arraignment and is awaiting the next steps. Everyone expects a plea bargain in exchange for his testimony against Paco. It could be a long process. I may need to drive back to attend hearings or provide testimony. Plus there are a couple other pending cases which may need my attention.”
“I bet it’s be good to be away for a while.” Annie picked up her glass of wine.
“It is. I hope it’s all right, but I asked a colleague to join me during his vacation. We worked on the same ranch during high school, then entered the Army together.”
“Not a problem. Is he with the DEA also?” Heath asked.
“No. Nesto opted for the U.S. Marshal Service. Actually, he and another marshal came here to escort Mr. Worton back to San Diego.”
“Buck Towers mentioned a Marshal Salgado,” Heath said.
“Ernesto Salgado. He’s like a brother.”
“Do you have much family?” Cassie asked, contributing for the first time.
“Not really. Growing up it was my mother and me, and a few assorted relatives we didn’t see much.” Kade fell silent, hoping no one asked any more questions about his family.
“If you’re finished, let’s get you out to the cabin and settled.” Heath grabbed his plate.
“We’ll get that, Pop,” Cassie said.
“No argument from me.”
“Nice meeting you, Cassie. I’m sure we’ll run into each oth
er again.” Kade grabbed his DEA cap and followed Heath outside.
Cassie’s eyes followed him out of sight. “Wow, he’s quite the package.”
Annie chuckled. “Besides the obvious, he seems like a good man. We didn’t learn much about him before as he focused completely on his work. Well, almost completely.”
“What do you mean?” Cassie stood and began to wash off plates.
“I can’t swear to it, but there seemed to be a real connection between him and Brooke. Of course, I’ve been wrong before.”
“Not often. You have a knack for noticing links the rest of us miss.” She rubbed a hand across her forehead. “Too bad you didn’t see the broken link between Matt and me.”
“When did he tell you?”
“That’s just it, he didn’t tell me. He left me a note and followed up with an email a couple of weeks later.” She slapped a hand on the counter “A note, Annie. After all the time we were together. He couldn’t even tell me to my face.”
Cassie and Matt Garner had been an item since before she graduated from high school. He was already a sophomore at the local community college and they transferred at the same time to the university in the valley. They were crazy about each other and planned to marry after Cassie graduated. She’d doubled up on classes and had been a semester behind him when he decided he needed a change.
“I didn’t even know he’d finished his degree and had been talking to his rodeo coach for months about leaving.” She looked up at Annie, her face showing the anger and despair she’d felt over the last few months.
“How long has he been gone?”
“Almost five months.” She slumped into a chair. “His coach told me he completed his degree in December.”
“Why didn’t you tell us before now?” Annie ached for Cassie, who’d been devoted to Matt.
“I thought he’d come back—tell me he’d made a mistake and still loved me. There’s been nothing from him since he left. Argh…” Her voice trailed off on a pained groan as she cradled her face in her hands.
All Your Nights (MacLarens of Fire Mountain Contemporary series Book 4) Page 10