by Stark, Cindy
“Daisy? Let me in.”
She closed her eyes and sighed. Talking to Rachel was the last thing she wanted to do right now, but she supposed she’d have to sooner or later. She crossed to the door and opened it.
Red tinted Rachel’s cheeks, and she’d drawn her brows in a frown. “You lied to me.” She pushed her way forward, and Daisy stepped back to let her enter.
“About what?” Daisy was the one who’d been shoved to the ground. If anything, Rachel should be sympathetic.
“Oliver.” She nailed her with a hard look, and Daisy could literally feel the blood drain from her face. “That’s right. I know all about the two of you, and now look, you’re already packing to get away from him.”
“Oliver told you?” Why on earth would he do that?
“So, it’s true.” Her anger deflated as sadness filled her eyes. “Why hide it?”
“Because you’d do exactly what you’re doing right now. You’re so damn concerned about me getting hurt and not wanting to come back that it’s making you unreasonable.”
Rachel puffed up at her accusations. “Don’t you remember the last time you were here? Your broken leg was my fault. I put you on that horse and made you ride. Then you fell, and you and mom moved to the city so you could be close to medical care. Then dad died, and that was the end of our family. I think I have a right to care.”
Daisy widened her eyes in shock. “You didn’t break up our family. Mom’s told me many times how she didn’t like it here, and how she and dad would fight about it. Me being in the hospital might have perpetuated their separation, but it would have happened eventually. No one blames you for what happened to me, least of all me. You were only nine, Rachel.”
Her sister shook her head. “Doesn’t matter. You’ve finally come home, and I don’t want years to pass again before you come back. I miss my sister, and I want us to be close.”
“But your actions are what makes it more difficult to be here. You threatened Oliver, putting my happiness on his shoulders, and it wasn’t fair. You’re angry because I didn’t tell you I like him, but what did you want me to do? Say something and potentially cost him his job?”
It was Rachel’s turn to pale, sending a wave of heartache through Daisy.
“Oh, God. Tell me you didn’t.” Daisy shook her head as though the world had turned to madness. Oliver had said Rachel was capable of firing him, but Daisy hadn’t believed it.
“You don’t understand. My last foreman did things behind my back, and I can’t afford another like him. I need people I can trust. I asked Oliver not to mess with you. I didn’t want anything to keep you from visiting Blackwater in the future, and he did it anyway.” She folded her arms in front of her with anguish smeared across her face. “I’ve barely gotten you back, and I can’t lose you again.”
“It’s not because of Oliver.”
“Really?”
By the look on her face, Daisy knew she hadn’t convinced her. “Maybe, but honestly, Rachel, I don’t fit in here. You can see it as well as I can. I would be leaving in a few weeks anyway.”
“Of course you fit in. Just as well as anyone else. We’re not judgmental around here.” Her expression softened. “I thought I still had time to spend with you, and I don’t want you to go.”
Daisy stepped forward and threw her arms around Rachel. “I’ll come back. I promise. There’s still much more of this beautiful land I need to see.”
Rachel tried to smile, but the gesture didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m so sorry I invited Karla tonight. I knew Oliver was interested in you, but I thought if he had Karla to keep him occupied he’d stay away from you.”
Emotion bubbled deep within her, and she fought to keep it down. “It was for the best anyway. If you hadn’t invited her, I would have wondered if I’d made a mistake leaving him here. Standing out in the yard, with him taking her side, it was evident we were nothing but a summer fling.”
“I’m so sorry. Come here. Sit down.” Rachel tugged her to the bed where they both sat on the edge. Her sister wrapped an arm about her shoulder and Daisy leaned against her.
“Despite it all, I’m glad I came.”
“Me, too. Do you really have to go so soon?”
She nodded. “It’s time.” Even without Oliver showing up at the ranch, she’d be reminded of him every day. “You didn’t actually fire him, did you?”
“I did. I meant it when I told you I need employees I can trust. He broke that.”
Daisy straightened and looked her sister directly in the eye. “Because of me. This thing between us was my fault. I knew he liked me, and I basically made him take me into the wilderness where I kissed him until he couldn’t refuse. You can’t blame him for that. He tried to resist, and he was worried about your reaction.”
Rachel shrugged. “I’m surprised you’re defending him.”
Daisy was surprised, too. “I’ve had time to think things through. I wonder if Karla was part of the reason he didn’t make a play for me. Maybe I’ve ruined things for them, too. Honestly, I’m surprised he told you about us.”
“He didn’t. Karla did. Said you were the one who’d told her.”
Her carelessly spoken words hit her like a fist to her gut. “I taunted her, but I didn’t admit anything. Honestly, I didn’t think she’d be certain enough to repeat it.”
Rachel snorted. “Oh, she said something, all right. Right to Oliver’s face when she confronted him. When he didn’t deny it, she slapped him and stormed off. If I wasn’t so angry with him, I’d feel sorry for him.”
“Oh, God. You need to give his job back to him, Rachel. He’s a good man, and he doesn’t deserve this.”
“I can’t do it.” Rachel shook her head.
“Please? As your sister, I’m begging you. This is my fault. I won’t be able to live with myself knowing what I’ve done to him.” She couldn’t blame him for taking what she’d offered so freely. “Please? He’s your friend. Has he done a good job for you otherwise? Have you had any other problems at all?”
“No.”
Daisy sensed her resolve weakening. “I think you’ll regret letting him go over this. Please give him another chance.”
Rachel sighed and then threw her hands up in a show of defeat. “Fine, but you’re going to tell him. I’m done with today, and I’m headed for the tub. I hope you’ll at least stay through Sunday. I was planning to make your favorite enchiladas for dinner.”
Daisy’s shoulders sagged in relief. “Of course, I will. Just don’t invite Oliver or Karla.”
Rachel laughed then. “Deal.”
As Rachel headed for the bathroom, Daisy grabbed her purse and boots and descended the stairs. Seeing Oliver after everything that had happened would be hard. He likely hated her. But she had to set things straight.
She couldn’t leave Blackwater with a good conscience otherwise.
Chapter Twenty-One
Oliver’s house was dark when Daisy pulled into the drive. She would have thought he wasn’t at home except his truck was parked out front.
With trepidation rolling through her, she shoved her gearshift into park. She had to do this no matter how difficult it was. Resigned to his certain anger, she opened her car door and stepped out.
The boots she’d shoved on her feet didn’t match her skirt and silk blouse, but she didn’t care. This wasn’t about impressing him.
She knocked on the door and waited.
No answer.
She knocked again, but still no sound from within.
Agitation urged her to check the knob. When it twisted beneath her grip, she pushed open the door and stepped inside. Darkness greeted her.
“Oliver?” she called hesitantly.
“Breaking and entering is a criminal offense.” Oliver’s deep voice reached out from the dark and startled her.
She inhaled a sustaining breath as she searched the shadows. “Can I turn on a light?”
“No.”
She couldn’t mistake the ang
er in his voice. “I’m sorry, Oliver.”
No response.
She stumbled forward, trying to navigate the room by dim light and shadows. “Shit,” she hissed when she rammed her knee into a table she’d failed to see.
Something clicked and a table lamp illuminated the room. Oliver sat in an oversized recliner with a beer in his hand. Another sat on the table next to him, cozying up with the lamp that had saved her from more bruises.
“I don’t want you here. Please leave.”
She nodded in understanding. “I won’t stay long. I only wanted to let you know that I’ve talked to Rachel, and she’s retracted her decision to fire you.”
“Did she now?” He took a swig of his beer, not seeming thrilled with her news.
“She did once I explained things to her. She and Caleb need you.” Daisy exhaled a long sigh. “I’m leaving first thing on Monday, and you won’t need to worry about running into me before then. I’m good at staying indoors. After that, things should go back to normal for you.”
He stared at her for a long moment. His eyes held no warmth, and his lips sat in a firm line. The evening’s events had hardened him.
Her heart crumbled. Whatever flame had burned between them had been extinguished, if it had ever existed at all beyond her imagination.
“Okay, then. I’ve said what I came to say and can now leave with a clear conscience. I’m sorry to have brought you so much trouble.” She gave him a quick nod and turned as tears flooded her eyes.
“Damn it, Daisy.” He was out of his chair and gripped her arm, whirling her around before she reached the door. Frustration twisted his features, and what was stern had dissolved into a heated expression.
She swallowed, unsure of his intent.
“What the hell am I going to do with you? You come to Blackwater all sassy and full of fire. I didn’t want to like you. But you’re smart and you’re kind, not to mention the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Then you do the worst thing possible and allow me to make love with you. Now, you’re going to walk away, and I might not ever see you again. You think this fixes things? They’ve never been so fucked up as they are right now.”
His words stole hers, and it took her a few seconds to find them. “I don’t know what to say. I’m sorry. What can I do to make things better? Do you want me to apologize to Karla?” It might kill her, but he was right when he’d said she’d waltzed in and messed up everyone’s lives.
“No, I don’t want you to talk to Karla. I don’t give a damn about her. What I want is this.” He pulled her into his arms and laid a fierce kiss on her lips.
She struggled to stay focused as his love threatened to pull her under.
When he was finished, he stepped back and released her. “If you want to leave me, then go.”
She blinked several times as she tried to process his information. “What if I don’t want to go?” As soon as she said the words, she knew they were true. “What if I’m only leaving to make things easier on you?”
“Then you’re making a huge mistake.” His throat worked over a swallow. “If you leave, you’ll take my heart with you.” His last words didn’t make it past the emotion in his voice.
Her heart trembled, and she stepped forward to take his hand. His was big compared to hers, but she wrapped her fingers around him anyway. Slowly, she lifted her gaze. “If I stay…” Even now, she couldn’t be certain until he said it.
He slid a hand behind her back and pulled her against him. “If you stay with me, you’ll make me the happiest man ever.”
“But I know nothing about living on a ranch. I’m a city girl through and through. You might get tired of me being a complete novice.”
A grin crossed his lips and breathed warmth into her cold heart. “I think you have more country in you than you think.”
Maybe he was right. Maybe what she’d been born into had never fully left her. She stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips against his. The powerful feeling of coming home washed over her like a fresh summer rain.
“This is right, Daisy. I feel it in my bones.” He crushed her against him.
She nodded. He was one hundred percent right. She traced a finger along his jawline as she stared into his beautiful eyes. “I shouldn’t admit it because you’ll hold it against me forever.”
He chuckled. “I might.”
She wouldn’t care if he did as long as she could be with him. “When I told my mom I was ready to leave, when I pulled my suitcases from the closet, I might as well have cut out my heart. I haven’t had the easiest time here, but Blackwater has calmed my spirit like nothing else. I want to be here with you, Oliver. I never thought I could be happy living in the country, but you and this place has calmed my restless soul like nothing else. I want to take care of Sugar and watch you train Bucky. I want to learn to cook more things, and I want to make love to you under the stars without worrying who knows.”
“Then do it, Daisy. Love me like crazy for the rest of my life.” His eyes lit up in a seductive challenge.
She grinned. “Yes. I think I’ll start right now.” She pulled his head down to hers and kissed him with all of her heart.
Chapter Twenty-Two
As Daisy parked in front of Rachel’s house later that night with Oliver’s kiss still on her lips, she smiled. Only hours before, she’d been certain her life as she knew it was over.
Now everything had changed again. She wore his mother’s engagement ring on her finger until he could buy one for her.
She still couldn’t believe it. Everything in her future was still up in the air, but not in the way she’d believed it would be.
Oliver parked behind her and caught up to her as she exited her car. “They’ll be asleep,” he whispered.
“Rachel won’t care. If I don’t give her the news right away, she won’t be happy. I think we’ve tested her enough lately, don’t you?” She grinned, unable to keep her happiness contained.
“Yeah,” he snorted. “Don’t want to piss off the boss lady any more than I have to.”
“She’ll be your sister now.”
He chuckled. “That’s right. I wonder how she’ll feel about that.”
She pulled him to her for a delicious kiss before she opened the front door. “She’ll love it because she’ll get to keep me here.”
Upstairs, unexpected nerves tangled inside her as she quietly rapped on Caleb and Rachel’s bedroom door.
“Yeah?” Caleb called out.
“Can I come in?” Daisy answered.
She met Oliver’s gaze as whispers and shuffles came from behind the closed door. Then it opened, and Rachel glanced in surprise to find both of them in the hall. “What’s going on?”
“Oliver has agreed to come back to work for you.” Daisy grinned up at him.
“And Daisy has agreed to marry me.” He wrapped an arm around her waist and tugged her against him to claim her.
“Say that again.” Rachel shook her head as though to clear it.
“I’m staying,” Daisy announced. “And we’re engaged.” She lifted her hand to show Rachel the ring.
Her sister glanced back and forth between them and then put her hands to her mouth as she laughed. “Seriously?”
Caleb peeked over her shoulder and gave Oliver the nod of approval.
“Yes.” Daisy couldn’t contain her happiness.
Rachel laughed and pulled her into a hug. “This is crazy. I mean I knew you were always the odd sister, but I never would have guessed.” She sobered. “Mom is going to freak out.”
Daisy waved her off. “She won’t. She’s too busy loving her work. She’ll barely miss me.”
“Oh God,” Rachel said as she glanced between them and then landed on Oliver. “Give your new sister a hug. I’d welcome you to the family, but you’ve been a part of it all along.”
****
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T
hank you!
Happy Reading, Cindy
Love small town romance? Read on for an excerpt from WHISPERS (An Argent Springs Novel).
Excerpt from WHISPERS (An Argent Springs Novel)
Erin Silvestri hurried across the manicured lawn toward the beckoning shadows that lurked beyond the watchful glow of multi-colored hanging lanterns. She glanced over her shoulder, praying she’d lost Devon amongst the crowd of guests. Being hit on by a man she didn’t like was bad enough. When the man was her drunken cousin, the embarrassment was much worse.
Festive dance music and laughter filled the evening air, creating a thin layer of celebratory grandeur that hid the subtle judgments of her uncle’s guests. The fact that most of the finely dressed men and women were related to her in one fashion or another didn’t mean a thing. These were not her people.
If she stayed a second longer, she’d suffocate from the high-octane oxygen that surely graced the backyard of the stately mansion in the hills above Salt Lake City. The evening was warm. The air thick. Sultry days like this were meant for skinny-dipping in a mountain lake as opposed to squeezing into a constricting cocktail dress.
“Erin,” her mother called out, her shrill voice bringing her to a halt. She eyed the cobblestone path that would have led her to sanity. Damn.
She pasted on a smile and swiveled on her black heels. When she did, she spied her mother standing next to a woman with beautiful salt and pepper hair, looking like a regal regarding her subjects.
“Aunt Annabelle,” her mother said when Erin approached. “I’d like you to meet my youngest daughter, Erin.”
Erin held out a hand and was surprised by the strength of the older woman’s grip. Two minutes. She could be friendly for two more minutes to these upper-crust socialites who appeared to thrive in their stuffy suits and dresses.
Wrinkles around the older woman’s eyes deepened as she pushed up her glasses and smiled. “I remember you, love, although you were twenty years younger.” She laughed, the sound musical and a little louder than would be socially acceptable in this type of situation.