Songbird (A Sinclair Story #1)

by Jaymin Eve

  “I’ll come back for you, buddy,” Nathan said, having to clear his throat. He should never have asked Doug to come out in the storm.

  “We need to move now.” Her voice came from close at his back. Nathan jumped as he swung around. He thought he caught flickers of sympathy in her gaze, but she was difficult to read.

  “I’m sorry about Doug, but this little girl needs to get to safety.” Her sapphire eyes shone in the dying light. “Tell me there’s a cabin or something close by.”

  “Yes, it’s about a half-a-mile through those trees.” He pointed the way he came. “Let me carry the baby. The snow is pretty deep in places and you might not have the height.”

  She hesitated. He could see her eyes darting around as she took in the masses of snow piling around them. Finally, she held out the black car seat for him to take.

  “Be careful with her,” she warned. “She’s fallen asleep. I’ve checked her the best I can inside of the seat and she seems to be okay. But we really need to move quickly.”

  The tiny face was barely visible under the blankets that were secured around her. She snuffled a few times in her sleep. Nathan pulled the precious bundle closer toward his body. The woman reached down and picked up the plastic bag and a bulky looking gym bag he hadn’t noticed before. He was pretty sure it was Doug’s old one that he used when he went to the track.

  “I’m Melodee,” she said as she straightened. “Are you sure you know where you’re going? I don’t like the thought of walking further away from the main road.”

  Melodee. The name took him by surprise. But it suited her.

  “Trust me, I basically grew up roaming this property, I’ll get us to the cabin.”

  She stared at him for an extra beat before nodding her consent.

  It took them fifteen minutes to get back through the trees. The snow was at least half-a-foot deeper and a few branches had come down in the wind. Trying to wade through without disturbing the sleeping baby was a challenge, but he was always up for those. Finally, he could see the edge of the cabin.

  “It’s just over there,” he yelled into the wind, pointing.

  He caught Melodee’s nod, but she didn’t reply. He was impressed. He was six feet three; she had to be at least a foot shorter, but had had no trouble keeping pace. In fact, during their journey she’d showcased some pretty impressive gymnastic skills, using branches and logs to aid her journey. He’d thought she would need his help a lot, but not once had she looked to him for assistance.

  It was pretty dark out now despite the fact it was only lunchtime, but he couldn’t see any lights from the cabin. Power must be out. The emergency generators would keep the essentials going, but he didn’t have them set for all the lights. It was more important to stop the pipes freezing over. Cutting a path across the field, they finally reached the outer verandah. The door was easy enough to shift open, and warmth encased him as he stepped inside and waited for Melodee to join him. There might be no power, but the fire was roaring in the front informal lounge room.

  Miguel stepped in from the side door which led to the stockyards. “Nate! Thank God, I’ve been searching all over for you.” He did a double take as he noticed Melodee.

  Nathan cleared his throat. “Miguel, this is Melodee, she was in a car accident. I went to help when I heard the crash.”

  The older man rushed forward, concern etched on his Asian features as he captured her hand. She looked uncomfortable but didn’t pull away.

  “You poor thing, are you okay?” He led her toward the huge beige couch. He wasn’t much taller than she was. “Sit down, let me check that cut on your face.”

  She reached up a hand to feel along her cheek, before wincing as she came to the gash on her eyebrow. It was as if she hadn’t realized she was injured until right then.

  “Thank you, but I’m fine.” Her voice was firm. “We need to check the baby.” She untwisted her scarf and dropped off the heavy coat, leaving herself clad in a white long-sleeved, ribbed tank. It hugged her curves, right down to the soft, form-fitting jeans. With effort Nathan pulled his eyes from her.

  The baby was starting to stir again, little cries were emerging. Melodee was at Nathan’s side in no time. He couldn’t believe how quickly she moved. She held out a hand and he passed the black car seat over to her. She showed no strain as she lifted the heavy carrier and moved silently toward the warmth of the fire. Placing it gently onto the ground, she started to remove the layers of blankets.

  “Hello, sweetheart, you’re such a good girl. Yes, you’re okay, little one.”

  Nathan could hear her low murmurs as she ran her hands along the baby. Her examination was thorough, starting at the crown of her head and moving to the tip of her toes.

  “Are you a doctor?” Miguel asked. He was crouched close by, probably hoping she would need assistance. He had more energy than two men and hated to do nothing.

  She looked up, her stunning features softening, the sapphire blue of her eyes shining in the firelight. She shook her head, the straight black hair flying around her face. Nathan had to stop himself also moving toward her. Something about her drew him in and destroyed him inside. Damn. He did not need to start caring about a woman he’d just met.

  “No formal training.” She shrugged. “But I have a lot of field experience.”

  Nathan’s brow furrowed. What did that mean?

  Reaching in, Melodee unbuckled the clasp across the baby’s chest. She lifted her out of the seat and Nathan moved forward to help. He reached for the warm, thick throw which sat across the back of the couch and draped it over the rug in front of the fire. Melodee smiled her thanks as she laid the tiny child onto the soft surface. The little girl was dressed in some type of single piece jumpsuit with lots of complicated buttons up the front. With ease, Melodee released the clasps and freed the kicking legs.

  “Can you pass me a diaper, and I’ll need a few cloths with warm water.”

  As Miguel stood to get the cloths, Melodee halted him with one hand on his arm. “And to save time, also some boiled or filtered warm water to make her a bottle.”

  “I’ll be right back,” Miguel said as he hurried off.

  Nathan crossed to grab the plastic bag which had been dropped on their entrance and pulled out one of the diapers.

  “Do you have children?” he had to ask as he handed her the diaper and lumbered down next to them. She was so efficient with the baby; only someone with experience could be this calm. He took one look at the tiny flailing limbs and figured anything he touched would break.

  She smiled, but her eyes were sad. “No, my lifestyle is a bit extreme for kids.” She cleared her throat. “I had a sister, although I was too young to really look after her.”

  Nathan wanted to push further, ask what had happened, but the raw pain in her eyes halted him. For some reason, despite his generally blunt nature, he wanted to protect this fragile looking girl. Miguel was back in moments. They had first class kitchen facilities, and even with the power off the hot and cold filtered water system would still work.

  “Here you are.” He placed a jug, a stack of cloths, and a cup with a soft yellow lid next to her. “We use those sucker lids for the baby animals,” he explained. “That’s an unused one, I figured she was too small for a cup.”

  Melodee smiled, her beauty highlighted in the firelight, and Nathan resisted the urge to shove Miguel aside. He wanted to be the reason her face lit up like that. Fuck, what was wrong with him? If he continued along this path, he was going to have to take himself out the back and kick his own ass. The baby had been quiet, lying peacefully in front of the fire, and then suddenly as Melodee finished the diaper and clipped her back into the outfit, her little face screwed up and without any warning screams erupted.

  “You’re okay.” Melodee picked her up. “I’ll bet you’re hungry.”

  Without warning, the baby was thrust at him. Her screams died off as she came face to face with Nathan. Her blue eyes regarded him for a moment before a
gummy smile, with two bottom teeth, crossed her face.

  “Hold her please. I need to measure out the formula.”

  The request was polite, but Nathan could hear the order in her tone. She was strong and knew what she wanted, and he had to respect that. Reaching out, he tentatively accepted the surprisingly solid weight of this tiny human. Nathan was the third brother, but with only eighteen months between each of the Sinclair boys, only Matthew, the eldest, would have any memory of babies. This was the first time Nathan had held a child, and it took him a few minutes to get comfortable. By this time she was starting to fuss again.

  Melodee took thirty-seconds to read the side of the tin. Using a small plastic measuring container, which must have been inside, she mixed up two scoops into the cup. Nathan started to jiggle and move around the room. Any time he stopped, the baby would start to grizzle again.

  “Thanks.” Melodee stepped over, her soft skin brushing his as she accepted the baby back. Nathan couldn’t tear his eyes away as the pair settled into the deep, burgundy couch. Its padded cushions rose up to enclose them. He loved these couches, he knew his gramps had paid a small fortune for them, but they were worth every penny as far as he was concerned.

  The baby relaxed into Melodee’s arms, her rosebud mouth closing around the tip of the sippy-cup. She needed a few attempts to take the foreign sucker into her mouth. She fussed and cried, but eventually the lure of food had her drinking deeply. Miguel dropped a few more logs into the huge fireplace, keeping the room toasty warm. Nathan could hear the storm raging outside, but it was peaceful inside right now.

  “We’ll be fine, if you need to secure anything or check on the animals,” Melodee said, as she raised her face from the baby. “I’ll just stay right here. You don’t have to worry about your house.”

  Nathan crossed his arms over his chest. “I don’t give a shit about the house, you can explore if you want.” He nodded toward Miguel who was perched in the doorway. “But we do need to finish up with the animals.”

  “Do you need anything else before we leave?” Miguel asked her.

  She shook her head, black hair falling around her face again. Nathan resisted the urge to reach out and push it back. Why the hell was it this girl, above all others, that drew him so strongly? Maybe it was her lack of interest? Unlike his usual female encounters, Melodee was focused on the baby. Paying him little attention.

  Miguel gave her a wave. “Okay, we’ll be finished soon and I’ll scrounge up some lunch.”

  “Oh, that gym bag near the door has food in it,” she called out as they were leaving.

  Nathan realized that she must have gathered up the supplies from Doug’s car. His friend’s lifeless face flashed across his mind. It wasn’t a good time to start grieving, so he forced himself to focus on Melodee instead. How had she thought to gather food and check the other car after just escaping a wreck? That was not something a normal person would do. Nathan tore his gaze from her, and followed Miguel from the room. Somehow or other Melodee was under his skin already. There was something unusual about her, and he loved a challenge. He was going to uncover her secrets.

  Chapter 3

  Melodee let out a relieved breath as those inquisitive eyes finally left the room. Nathan stared at her like he could see through the façade she showed the world, right to the scars littering her soul. No one that damn gorgeous should also possess cunning intelligence or eyes the color of the Mediterranean. Not only that, but when he’d taken off his coat and rolled up his sleeves she’d seen the tattoo that covered his right arm and up the side of his neck. She was a sucker for hot men with tattoos.

  She reassured herself that sooner or later his faults would shine through. In her experience, the better looking and rich people were, the less you could trust them. And considering he called this place a cabin, he was either delusional or loaded – it was a god damned mansion. She might have only been in the massive entry and front room, but she could see from the high, wood-paneled ceiling and sturdy, quality fittings that this room alone was worth a fortune.

  Laying her head back, she snuggled in deeper to the most amazing couch she’d ever experienced. What was it made from, freaking clouds or something? The little girl shifted in her arms and Melodee opened her eyes to find that now warm and fed ‘Jewel’ – she’d nicknamed her due to her shining eyes – had fallen asleep. Jewel had amazingly long, dark lashes that washed over the pale, chubby baby cheeks. Melodee loved the innocence of children, but it was bittersweet being this close, as she never expected to have a family of her own. She was too damaged. She shook her head, shoving back the memories. If she let that time in her life free rein in her thoughts, she wouldn’t get up each morning.

  It was quiet in the house. The howling winds could be heard in the background, but Melodee felt detached from the raging storm. She was trying her best to block out the faces of the two victims of her car crash, but poor Doug and the young mother were on her mind. Weariness washed over her. Now that her adrenalin had worn off she was feeling wrecked, her body urging her to rest. To force herself to stay awake, Melodee stood and smoothly transferred Jewel into the car seat, making sure she was well covered and warm. Her tiny nose wrinkled as her face creased. Melodee waited for a cry, but with a yawn the baby soon settled back into sleep. Placing the sippy-cup next to the car capsule, she would wash it out when the men returned. She wouldn’t leave Jewel alone, not in a strange house. Her instincts urged her to keep her in sight.

  Melodee took her time to wander around the large, comfortable room. As she moved, her aches and pains started to make themselves known. Lifting her shirt-sleeves, discolored bruises had already started to form from the accident, especially around the region the seat belt had sat. She needed a long soak in a hot bath or she was going to be in a world of hurt come morning. Something to worry about later. Moving helped, and the pain distracted her from the fact two people had died today, and that they were still out there in their icy tombs. She shook off the images, her training allowing her to focus her mind.

  The only light in the room came from the roaring fireplace. But it was enough for her to see the numerous portraits scattered around the wood paneling. She stopped at one of the largest of an older man sitting on a high-backed wooden chair. He had a stern face, but his eyes sparkled, and surrounding him were four boys. They had the gorgeous flush of youth on their faces, and Melodee could tell that they were a happy family. No matter how many posed photos her parents forced them into, the truth always showed in the stillness of the picture. There was nothing real in her family. It had taken a long time, but as a grownup Melodee had acknowledged that the only reason her and her sister were even born was to keep up the pretense of their parents’ cover story.

  Melodee recognized one of the smaller boys. Nathan’s eye color was unusual enough to always identify him. She sucked in a breath as she took a closer look at the full portrait.

  There were four male Sinclair’s?

  Heaven help this little town; if they were all as sexy as Nathan, they must turn it on its head. Each of the brothers wore similar expressions and had eyes in varying shades of blue. Tearing herself from the portrait, she turned to check on Jewel, who was still soundly sleeping.

  The men had been gone for a while and Melodee really didn’t want to leave the baby to go find them, so she hoped they knew what they were doing in a storm like this. As far as she could tell, this snowy weather was common in this area, so they were probably used to it. To keep herself from worrying, and to stretch her aching muscles, Melodee started a series of fighting poses. She did not have names for them; she knew some came from Karate Kata, others positions and transitions from Brazilian jujitsu. Wherever from, they kept her limber and flexible. And they were important during a fight. Often, even if she wasn’t in the “fight-zone,” her training would kick in and she would instinctively move in the right series of movements. She loved the escape, and right now she needed to regain her equilibrium.

  Nathan stopped i
n the doorway of the front room. He’d left Miguel out in the snow because he hadn’t been able to resist coming back to the cabin. It was as if Melodee was a magnet dragging him into her force-field. The baby was asleep in the car seat and Melodee had her eyes closed as she moved in a series of stances around the room. She was graceful, her body forming straight, strong lines. He thought he recognized a few of the moves from his fight training, but hers seemed to be more complex and they flowed from one stance to the next seamlessly. Not wanting to scare her or point out his clear tendencies to stalk, he decided to announce his presence.

  “Sorry to disturb you…”

  Nathan’s husky words had her eyes flying open, and without using her hands, she stood and straightened.

  She looked uncomfortable as she faced him, having missed his entrance.

  “I didn’t mean to disturb you…” Nathan repeated. “What were you doing?”

  Melodee ran her hands over her hair to smooth it down. “Just some stretches. I’m a bit stiff from the accident.”

  He stepped even closer, his eyes locked on her.

  “Can I have a look at your cut now?” He was very close.

  “Where’s Miguel?” she asked to distract him. And herself.

  “One of the mares is in foal.” Nathan pushed back his messy blond hair. “Hell of a time, but he wants to stay near in case she needs help. Luckily the old barn is well insulated and the fires are lit.”

  He stepped right into her personal space. She moved back a few inches, crossing her arms across her body. Nathan thought he was making her uncomfortable, or it could simply be that she had a wide personal space. Well over a foot taller than her, he bent down and reached out to her face. Her features froze, the blue of her eyes flashing. He waited, hand hovering just over her hairline before finally he let his fingertips descend and glide along the deep scratch above her eyebrow.