Hiding Behind Love

by Karly Morgan

  “So? Anyone can show compassion,” I responded defensively.

  “This wasn’t just compassion though. I could see there in your eyes that ya were ready ta rip apart anyone who dared lay a finger on her. That protective instinct kicked in before ya were aware it had.” Mama nodded, seeming to agree with herself as she spoke. “And that woman in there radiates goodness from her very soul. Even through all the bad she’s experienced, she’s still got a warm, kind heart ta go with that sharp wit and tongue of hers.”

  “She’s a spitfire all right,” Caleb agreed, the admiration in his voice earning him dirty looks from both Mama and me, which immediately sent him back to the grill to monitor the chicken breasts.

  “I know ya’d kept tellin’ me that ya were never gonna settle down and wouldn’t listen when I tried ta tell ya that ya just hadn’t met the right woman yet, but when Carissa landed here as if she were answerin’ my prayers, I had ta take the chance. Especially after seein’ how ya were with her and vice versa. Ya can be mad at me all ya want, but I wasn’t takin’ the chance that ya’d let her get away.”

  “Well, thanks, Ma,” I told her sincerely, grateful for her interference for the first time in my life.

  “And just so ya know, I never called the doctor and had my name removed from the list. It’s still on there. Ya can’t get rid of me that easily,” Mama declared, stunning me beyond words.

  Never had I imagined she’d been bluffing her way into getting what she wanted. Not only that, she’d been holding the same hammer over Carissa’s head earlier about leaving. This was a side to my mother I’d never seen before.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Carissa

  Sheriff Ben Donovan was a character, to say the least. I’d been more nervous about talking to him than I had to marry Kolton, a virtual stranger, even though it felt as if I’d known him my entire life. He’d coaxed mine and Kolton’s fake romantic story from me at one point during our discussion and didn’t seem to question a word of it, which helped ease some of my tension.

  “Has your father ever hit you?” he asked me, and I immediately tensed.

  He’d been doing that our entire conversation. He’d ask something serious and then lead us off into a conversation that had me cracking up before throwing me another hard question. I was developing mental whiplash from how fast he went back and forth.

  “Never,” I told him honestly. My mother had, but not my father.

  “Yet you’re afraid of him.” It was a statement, not a question, so I didn’t respond. We’d already established this fact earlier.

  The Sheriff and I stared at each other for a few minutes, waiting for the other one to break the silence. He’d be waiting a long time for me to break, considering this was standard operating procedure in my household growing up. In my father’s eyes, it was a sign of weakness to break a standoff that he’d never allowed me to develop. I was damned good at holding my tongue when I needed to.

  “Well, Mrs. Reed, I think I have all I need from ya ta file a harassment complaint. If he shows up again, give me a call and I’ll head right over,” Sheriff Donovan said, getting to his feet and reaching his hand out to assist me to mine. It was a gesture I’d been unfamiliar with back in New York that I was slowly beginning to adjust to here. “I just need ta get Kolt’s statement, and I’ll get outta y’alls hair for the evenin’.”

  “Thank you,” I told him, accepting his assistance and leading him back toward the door. I was more relieved than I could even put into words that he was finished talking to me. As much as I liked him, I also disliked him. The contradiction confused me.

  Kolton swept me up into his arms as soon as I got within arm’s reach of him and held me tight, sending me a reminder that I had no panties on under my dress when a pool of liquid heat flooded between my legs at the feel of my body pressed up against his very sexy, muscular body that I knew damn well he knew how to use to draw every ounce of pleasure from me I had in reserve.

  I tipped my head back and slightly parted my lips, silently begging for him to kiss me as my eyes watched a cocky smile curve his lips.

  “Miss me, darlin’?” he asked in a low, seductive growl. “’Cause I sure missed you.”

  “It hasn’t been that long,” I told him, refusing to admit just how much I’d craved having him close, and we’d only been a few feet apart from each other the entire time.

  “Too damned long,” Kolton muttered before covering my mouth with his own and devouring it thoroughly. His rough hands caressed my lower back, not venturing lower since we weren’t alone to explore each other further. One hand snaked its way up my back to cup the back of my head, weaving his fingers through my hair to hold me in place as he owned me with our heated kiss.

  Too soon, he was pulling away after several people cleared their throats, reminding us they were still there. He muttered a few choice words under his breath, and I fought back the bubble of laughter threatening to escape, agreeing with his sentiments. I’d love to be alone with him right now, continuing what Caleb had interrupted earlier in the stables. Which reminded me of what we’d been discussing at the time of said interruption. This man had a way of making me forget important things, like birth control, condoms, and possible pregnancies and only focus on the pleasure to be found in his arms and his bed. He was dangerous to my thought processes.

  “What’s wrong?” Kolton asked, apparently more attuned to me than I’d realized, sensing my sudden tension.

  “Nothing. Why?” I asked in return, not wanting to voice the direction my thoughts had gone in front of witnesses.

  “Please don’t lie to me, darlin’,” he pleaded, his eyes flashing his hurt like neon blinkers at night.

  “It’s nothing. Really. Just thinking about what we were discussing in the stables,” I told him, hoping he’d catch on quickly and drop the subject. Neither of us needed Bonnie and/or Caleb catching wind of how reckless we’d been and that there was a possibility of me having conceived his child so soon. Bonnie would be thrilled, but it was also something else she could use to hold over my head as blackmail material.

  “Hmmm…” was all he said as he cradled my head against his chest. “Don’t worry about it so much. What will be, will be. If ya are, we’ll love that baby more than anyone’s ever loved a child. If not, there’s always time to keep tryin’.”

  Was he serious? We’d just met and married without even going on a single date and he was ready to jump into parenthood with me without batting a single eyelash about it?

  Worried, I looked around at Bonnie, Caleb, and the sheriff to make sure they hadn’t overheard Kolton’s words, but he’d said them low enough that I’d been the only one to catch them. Relieved once again, I slumped against his chest.

  “Um, any chance I can get your statement so I can get outta here and let y’all continue on with your evenin’?” Sheriff Donovan asked Kolton with a raised eyebrow.

  “Mind if Carissa here joins us since ya already talked to her?” Kolton asked, keeping me close to his body as if he was still afraid I’d go running for my father’s hotel as soon as he left me to give his statement.

  “I think she’ll be all right here with your ma and Caleb for a few minutes and you’ll survive without her attached to ya for that long,” the sheriff said with a grin and a chuckle.

  “I’ll be right here when you’re done,” I reassured him, knowing that if there was the slightest chance I was pregnant, I couldn’t concede to my father’s bullying. If I did, and I was pregnant, they’d force me to get an abortion just as surely as they planned on forcing me to nullify my marriage to Kolton. Neither of which I wanted to do, but the choice would be out of my hands if I went back to them with my tail tucked between my legs.

  “Promise?” Kolton asked, an intensity blazing from his eyes that had me melting under his gaze.

  “I promise you I’m not going anywhere,” I told him sincerely. “Go talk to Sheriff Donovan.”

  “We’ll make sure she stays put,” Caleb a
ssured Kolton with a hand on his shoulder, and I shot him a glare. Nothing like being ganged up on to sour my mood.

  “Come on over here and talk ta me while Caleb finishes up the chicken,” Bonnie chimed in to me as Kolton gave me one more squeeze, a kiss on the temple, and pulled away to do what he needed to do.

  I watched the two men climb the stairs to the back porch and enter the house before taking the lawn chair beside Bonnie’s.

  “Glad ta see ya came ta your senses,” Bonnie told me with a broad smile. “And that you’re takin’ ta my Kolt the way ya are. I just knew the two of ya were perfect for each other.”

  I just glanced at her as I leaned back, unsure what to say to that. I’d known she was manipulating Kolton and me together from the beginning but had been helpless to stop it because I was convinced she was right in how to handle this predicament. Now I was in far deeper than just trying to escape a fate I’d felt was worse than death. I’d fallen head over heels for the man I’d rushed to the altar with.

  “Cat got your tongue, girly?” she asked as she leaned back and folded her arms over her chest.

  “What do you want me to say? We both know that going to my father’s hotel in the morning would be a huge mistake, and I can’t lie and deny that I’m beginning to have feelings for Kolton. You’ve got me pretty well pinned down,” I replied, meeting her even gaze with my own, squaring my shoulders as if we were about to go into battle. I was emotionally overwhelmed and exhausted and unwilling to be further manipulated.

  “I’m glad ta hear that. Ya know, I always wanted a daughter. I wasn’t that lucky though,” Bonnie informed me, unfazed by my sudden hostility. “I’d always imagined her to be a beautiful little girl just like ya. I may not have borne ya from my body, but you’re my daughter just the same.”

  Her statement shocked me deeply, but she wasn’t finished yet.

  “I knew as soon as we talked that first time that ya were meant ta be a part of this family. Everythin’ happens the way it’s meant ta happen. I got my wish when ya landed on our doorstep,” she said, her eyes glittering with unshed tears. “I’d long since made my peace with only havin’ Kolt, but there was no way in hell I was lettin’ that good for nothin’ drunk get near me again after he was born. Even if that meant never havin’ the daughter I so desperately wanted. Yet here ya are.”

  “And we’re gonna protect ya as if ya were our very own,” Caleb piped up behind me, causing me to nearly tip over my chair when I jumped. I’d been so caught up in what Bonnie was telling me that I’d forgotten he was even there. “Whether ya like it or not, you’re family and we love ya.”

  “I don’t know what to say,” I told them honestly. My family wasn’t open and honest about their feelings. I had no idea what to do with all of these emotions rolling like waves through me and over me from these people. I almost felt as if I was drowning in them.

  “Don’t say nothin’. Just stay here with us and be happy with Kolt. Let the chips fall where they may.” Bonnie gestured as if she were throwing handfuls of poker chips on the ground between us. “If ya only knew how bad it was when Kolt’s father was around, ya’d be less worried about us bein’ able ta handle your daddy and whatever he may throw at us.”

  “I’ve already told Kolton I’m not going anywhere, so why are we still discussing this?” I asked, wishing they’d drop it already. I was just ready to head to bed and crash for the day, except my stomach was reminding me how hungry I was after the day’s events. I’d never been able to sleep hungry before.

  “Just makin’ sure ya weren’t still plannin’ on slippin’ out on us.”

  “I’m not going anywhere,” I assured her once again, and we all fell into silence. Oddly enough, it wasn’t uncomfortable after the conversation we’d just had or the day’s events. I felt as if I was finally where I belonged and that these people were my own. I didn’t understand how that could be when I came from such a different environment than they did.

  Caleb pulled the chicken from the grill just before Kolton and the sheriff exited the house, and Kolton made a beeline straight to where I was relaxing in the chair.

  “’Bout damn time. I’m past ready ta eat. Care ta stay for a plate?” Bonnie said, slowly pushing to her feet, waving away both Caleb’s and the sheriff’s offers for help.

  Kolton had me swept up in his arms bridal style and was refusing to set me back on my feet, no matter how much I squirmed and protested his actions.

  “As much as I’d love ta, I’ve gotta head out. Thanks for the offer though,” Sheriff Donovan said as he took turns shaking each of our hands, with the exception of Kolton who had his hands plenty full with me, whether I liked it or not. “Y’all have a great evenin’. I’ll file this complaint and pay a visit ta the two trespassers. If they show up again, give me a shout and I’ll take care of it.”

  “Ya better put the fear of God into them ‘cause if they come back here, I’m not callin’ ya other than ta come clean up the mess,” Bonnie told him, and I shuddered at the imagery flashing through my mind at what she was threatening to do.

  “Now there’s no reason ta resort ta violence,” the sheriff tried calming her down, but I could tell by the look in her eyes that she was firm in her stance.

  “They’re after my daughter-in-law, and they ain’t gonna rest until they get what they want; whatever they have ta do ta get it. I’ll be damned if I just sit back waitin’ on ya ta arrive when I can handle it quicker. This girl ain’t gonna experience the hell I did if I can help it,” Bonnie declared, stepping closer to Sheriff Donovan, hands on her hips. “So ya better do whatever it takes ta make sure those two assholes don’t step foot on this property again, so I don’t have ta handle it myself.”

  “They threatened my wife. Ma’s right. If they step foot here again, we’re gonna do what we have to do to make sure Carissa’s safe from them,” Kolton said, his voice low and threatening, sending a shiver down my spine. “Nobody’s layin’ a finger on her.”

  “Look, Sheriff, there’s a reason this girl fears those two men. She’s family now, and we protect our own out here. Look how long it took ya ta get yourself here this time.” Caleb wrapped his arm around Bonnie’s shoulders while he spoke, making it clear he was as much a part of this family as I was, whether he was legally married to Kolton’s mother or not, and that he was more than willing to defend her with his life. “There’s no way we’re gonna have a tea party with those two while we wait for ya ta make your way out here.”

  “I cannot condone this. Y’all know that,” Sheriff Donovan told them, looking at me as if I was his only hope to talk sense into the three of them. Unfortunately, their vows to protect me made me feel safer here, even though it put them in danger. All I felt was guilt and fear racing through me and a deep, deep sense of exhaustion. “Unless there’s a physical threat to anyone here, y’all need ta calm down and call me without resorting ta violence.”

  “Don’t know why we bothered ta call ya this time, considerin’ you’re not gonna do much of shit about them trespassin’ on my property and threatenin’ our girl here. Have a nice evenin’,” Bonnie said, clearly dismissing the man who stood there staring at her with his jaw dropped. I almost felt sorry for the man, having to deal with this firecracker of a woman in a situation like this. Thank God she was on my side in this.

  “Now—”

  “I said, have a nice evenin’. Don’t let the gate hit ya on the way out,” she said firmly, turning toward the house and carefully making her way to the porch. It was clear she was dismissing him, and so were Caleb and Kolton, judging by Caleb being glued to Bonnie’s side and Kolton carrying me as he followed, none of them giving a backward glance to the officer of the law they were walking away from.

  We made our way inside and laid all of the food out on the table, taking our seats around it, nobody talking much until we were all seated.

  “We need ta alert the hands ta keep an eye out for Carissa’s daddy and that Carver fella. Extra eyes lookin’ out can only h
elp keep Carissa protected,” Caleb spoke up first, looking directly at Kolton.

  “Have ‘em all carryin’ their pistols when they’re on duty as well. Can’t be too careful with those two,” Bonnie chimed in, and my eyes widened.

  They were all acting as if they were going to war, which technically, they weren’t wrong. Unfortunately, my father fought dirty without getting a speck of mud on his own hands. He’d make their lives difficult in many other ways while coming out looking squeaky clean.

  “This all isn’t necessary,” I told them, becoming nervous with how they were talking.

  “I’ll give Justin a call before we head to bed and have him call all the guys. We can’t take any chances,” Kolton assured them, only glancing at me when I spoke. “There’s no way we’re risking anything happening to ya, darlin’, so please just relax and let us do what we need to do.”

  “No! My father wouldn’t attack head on the way you’re preparing for. He’s all about stealth and making sure his image doesn’t get sullied in any way,” I explained, hoping to calm them all down. “He’s more likely to go after your property or something else of value to hurt you.”

  “That may be how your father handles things, but that Carver is somethin’ else entirely. He’ll do whatever it takes ta get his filthy hands on ya. We’re not about ta let that happen,” Caleb told me, the look in his eyes scaring me more than a little.

  “I promised to keep ya safe, darlin’. That’s a promise I intend to keep,” Kolton said, pulling me in for a kiss that left me speechless and reeling with the desire raging through my veins like lava. “No one’s gonna harm a hair on that beautiful head of yours while I’m around.”

  “While any of us are around,” Bonnie spoke up, breaking me from the spell Kolton had woven around me with his passionate kiss.