Need You Now

by Debbi Rawlins

  Lucas smiled, though he’d almost jumped off the stool at the loud boom. Good thing she was on his side.

  “You,” she said, turning to him, “are a brave man. I respect what you did today. Don’t be a coward now when it really counts.” She gave him a meaningful stare. He just wasn’t sure what it meant. Her eyes narrowed. “You know what I’m getting at. You just proved you know when something’s worth fighting for.” She lowered her voice. “But you still have work to do. That girl needs you.”

  Lucas had no idea how well Sadie knew Melanie. His guess was not very well or she’d understand that above everything, Melanie needed validation from her parents and the community. She didn’t need a damn thing from Lucas.

  With his outburst, he’d pushed her into an untenable situation. His lie may have helped, but not by much. It felt like hell. Funny how he’d known Peggy half his life and Melanie only ten days, but the pain he was feeling right now was so much worse. He hadn’t even realized how much he’d fallen for her until he’d lost her.

  Guess his luck hadn’t changed that much. He was a fool for thinking he might have a real chance with a woman like Melanie. She deserved so much better.

  While Sadie was busy pouring a drink, he finished his second whiskey, tucked some money under the glass and, tail between his legs, headed for the door.

  * * *

  MELANIE PUSHED ASIDE her untouched dinner, ignored the stack of papers she should’ve been grading and stared at her phone. Lucas wasn’t going to call. Why should he? What would he want with a coward like her?

  She supposed she could call him. But did she really want to talk to him? She could only imagine the disappointment in his voice, and that was bad enough.

  Her phone beeped. She scrambled for it, sending papers flying off her kitchen table, her heart thumping wildly.

  It was David.

  She thought briefly about letting him go to voice mail. And then, like the good obedient girl she’d been most of her life, she answered.

  “I hope I’m not disturbing you,” he said, his voice confident with victory.

  “I’m tired. I was finishing up some papers so I could go to sleep early.” That was half-true. She wouldn’t sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, she could still see the stunned looks of the board members and the townsfolk, the disapproval on her father’s face, and she hated herself for being so weak.

  “You’re doing the right thing, Melanie,” he said gently.

  “Which is?”

  He hesitated. “I hope you’ve gotten that man and his ridiculous program out of your system. You have too much at stake with your Safe Haven project, and now that everyone knows about his criminal record...well, it would be difficult for me to protect you.” He paused. “As a teacher, you’re a role model whether you want to be or not. But it’s not too late. We can put this all behind us.”

  Melanie wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. The contrast between David and Lucas had never been more obvious. Lucas might be an ex-con, but he was a man of principle. Whereas the principal was not even a man. “Good night, David.”

  Before he had a chance to respond, she’d disconnected and turned off her cell. But she couldn’t shut off his words. He’d called her a role model, and she supposed that was true. She had students who might think she was old-fashioned, but they did, for the most part, look up to her. At Safe Haven she was valued not just for showing up but for taking responsibility for her extracurricular programs, instigating innovative techniques, not to mention the board position she would be resigning soon. And at church? She was her mother’s daughter, her father’s assistant, her community’s touchstone and all-around gofer.

  Before she turned off her laptop, she checked one final email. It was her father’s Sunday sermon. Right on time. As if the evening hadn’t even happened. When she saw the subject, she had to laugh. Forgiveness.

  Perfect.

  * * *

  LUCAS LAY BACK in the bed of his truck, tucked into his old sleeping bag, staring up at the stars. He’d left the Sundance after thanking Rachel for her hospitality and leaving $400 on the nightstand.

  No one at the Sundance had said anything about the fiasco at the meeting, but that was because they were good folks who didn’t need the headache of him staying with their female guests. Before the night was over, he’d be the scandal of the year around here.

  The air was damn chilly, and he’d thought about driving to Kalispell. Not for the motel bed—for the distance. But no matter how he sliced it, he couldn’t leave just yet. He owed Melanie an apology, and not one he could send via text or even a phone call.

  God, he could kick himself all the way back to Wyoming, but it wouldn’t change the fact that he’d lost it tonight, and it had cost someone who mattered. For a year he’d tried so hard to keep things light, keep himself separate, and here he was smack in the middle of a small-town drama as the villain.

  What the hell was he doing traveling the West to save wild horses? He couldn’t even remember what it felt like to feel at home. Well, outside of Melanie’s arms, at least, and he doubted he’d be welcomed there again.

  Going to his ranch had been a wake-up call. Being a giant dope, he’d actually imagined the place cleaned up again. With special attention paid to the kitchen and the bedroom. He’d pictured the two of them away from the madness of this stifling town, spending their nights together. He’d be exhausted until he hired some help. She’d be busy, and not just cooking or cleaning or any of that stuff. The minute she got there, she’d have found out about the animal shelter, the local schools and the 4-H club. She wouldn’t have the heart to say no to any of them, and he’d never say no to her.

  He closed his eyes, banishing the useless daydreams. But not the idea of taking back his ranch. He’d be bound to run into Jessup, but the man didn’t have the power to hurt him anymore. Truth was, if he tried something low like injuring the livestock, Lucas would stop him. Prison hadn’t taken away the most important part of him. But he’d stop Jessup by using the law and not his fists.

  Going back to face the biggest disappointment in his life, save the one he’d caused here, was the next step for him. Even without Melanie by his side, he needed to go home. Restake his claim. But first he had to face her tomorrow. See exactly what he’d lost.

  * * *

  SOMEHOW, MELANIE HAD managed to avoid David all morning, but there was no getting around him at the vote. He was in the same seat, and there was her father, right next to him. The town hall was at capacity, but this time there were friends and supporters. Rachel and Matt, Sadie, Nikki and Trace. Some of the teachers from the school. And wouldn’t you know it, somehow Gertrude had finagled the Lemon sisters into getting her to the hall.

  Mercifully, Shea refrained from reading the minutes of last night’s meeting, and already the grumbling was starting.

  Jesse stood up. “Look, when we opened the doors to the community, it wasn’t so you could take over. You want to vote on Safe Haven policy, you can sign up to volunteer. But if anyone starts any trouble tonight, we’re going to lock all of you outside.”

  That went over like a brick through a window, but Shea glared at the dissenters, refusing to move forward. Melanie took one more look at David, at her father. And she stood up, asking to make a statement.

  It got quiet, and she just inhaled, let her breath take away her fears and began. “Last night a valued member of our town pointed out to me that I’m not just a volunteer at Safe Haven. I have responsibilities in this community. He called me a role model. I thought a lot about that. He was right. I am a role model. Which made me wonder what kind of message I’m giving my students, the people who attend my church, who I meet in the market and on the street. I realized pretty quickly that I haven’t been a very good example. I’ve done chores, I’ve taught the curriculum, I’ve mucked the stables and more. But that’s
not all I am. Well, not all I want to be.

  “Last night I watched a man stand up in a new town and bare his painful past to a group of people who’d called him scum. He carried himself with dignity, but not for his own gain. To help with rehabilitation in a system that’s overcrowded and desperate for answers. He left his own ranch to be on the road to save wild horses, to give animal sanctuaries a chance to give their charges a real future.

  “Lucas Sloan humbled me, and I would hope he’s touched all of you, too. I didn’t stand up for him last night, and that’s my own failing. One I’m correcting now. I am not just a daughter, a teacher, a volunteer. I’m more than that. I have been there in one way or another for many of you in this room. And when I tell you that I’ve seen the power of this program to help horses, men and society, I expect you to listen. To respect me enough to know that I have proven myself to be honorable.

  “Last night I read my father’s next sermon. It’s going to be on forgiveness. This Sunday he’ll be telling you himself that forgiveness without action is meaningless.” She started to take her seat but stopped. “You know, I’ve spent most of my life cowed by fear that I’d disappoint my parents or you people. It never once occurred to me that you would all disappoint me.” She looked at the board members. “Be braver than I was last night. Don’t let personal feelings get in the way of doing the right thing.”

  She inhaled sharply, as shocked as her father seemed to be that she’d made such a speech and that she hadn’t fumbled or fallen apart.

  And when a few people started clapping, a lump formed in her throat, and then everyone but Earl stood up. David was the last to give in, but it was heartening to know her father had been the first.

  Now she was trembling, and she couldn’t wait to sit down. Except, there. In the back of the room, standing tall and staring straight at her with a look of wonder... Lucas. Her heart nearly beat out of her chest.

  She nodded at him, and he nodded back, but that was all she could do, because Shea had quieted the room and called for the vote.

  With a show of hands, the motion to participate in the Wild Horse Training Program carried unanimously. But that was only because Abe was getting the evil eye from Sadie.

  The meeting adjourned, and she had to fight her way through a throng of people who wanted to say a good word. It was all she could do to be polite.

  Finally, Lucas was there, right in front of her. “I thought you’d left.”

  Looking past her, he took her hand in his and headed for the door. They made it outside, but he kept on pulling her down the street, not stopping until they were hidden behind his truck.

  She thought he might take her in his arms, but he didn’t. She almost said something, but the way he looked at his feet, then slowly met her gaze stilled her.

  “I couldn’t go without telling you how sorry I was for last night.”

  “It was a shock,” she said. “But it was also the bravest thing I’ve ever seen.”

  “I shouldn’t have put you in that—”

  She hushed him with a finger to his lips. “It’s okay. I know what you did and why, and I’m fine. I almost gave myself a coronary tonight,” she said. “I didn’t even have anything written down.”

  He laughed, and it felt as if all the achy places inside her were healing. “You were incredible.”

  “We were incredible.”

  “Yeah, I suppose we were. But that’s not what I wanted to tell you.” He pulled her into his arms, up against his strong, safe chest. She looked up into his eyes, waiting, feeling the quick steady beat of his heart.

  “I’m going to be busy for a while after tonight. I have to get details worked out with you and Shea, then go to Denver for a sit-down. My work schedule needs to change. I’m going back to my ranch, honey. It’s gonna be a long time before it’s fit, but when it is, I’d like you to come see it.”

  “Why do I have to wait—?”

  He smiled, then hugged her tighter, when already she could barely breathe. “Because,” he said before lightly kissing her, “I’d like you to consider staying awhile. Like, say, a lifetime.”

  She finally caught the breath he’d stolen. “I think you skipped a step.”

  “Ah, you mean the part where I tell you I’m in love with you? That I can’t imagine my life without you?”

  It was her turn to smile. “Yeah. That part.”

  “I’m in love with you, Melanie. I got it bad.”

  “Well, that makes two of us.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back until they had to pull apart to breathe.

  His expression was serious as he brushed her cheek with his fingers. “It won’t be easy,” he said. “We can see each other on weekends and holidays, but it’ll take some time before we can truly be together, and then you’ll just have me. I wasn’t kidding about you thinking it through.”

  She leaned into Lucas. “A week ago I never could’ve imagined that I’d ever walk away from Blackfoot Falls, from everything I’ve known. But I’d never dreamed of meeting a man like you, either. I’ll think it through, give my parents time to get used to the idea of me living six hours away, but I already know what I want.” Melanie smiled. “You’re not the only one who’s got it bad,” she said before she kissed him.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from FINAL SCORE by Nancy Warren.

  Ten years ago one devastating night changed everything for Austin, Hunter and Alex. Now they must each play their part in the revenge against the one man who ruined it all.

  Austin Treffen has the plan… Hunter has the money… Alex has the power!

  Read each of their stories in the captivating Fifth Avenue trilogy,

  only from Harlequin Presents:

  Avenge Me by Maisey Yates (June 2014)

  Scandalize Me by Caitlin Crews (July 2014)

  Expose Me by Kate Hewitt (August 2014)

  And don’t miss the Fifth Avenue prequel that started it all, Take Me, by Maisey Yates!

  Order your copies today in ebook format.

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  1

  EVEN INSIDE HIS bunker gear, firefighter Dylan Cross could feel the heat from the burning house. Water cannoning from the big hoses made almost as much noise as the angry growl of the flames eating at the bungalow in a poorer section of Hunter, Washington.

  There’d be a lot of mopping up to do, and not much of this old place would be saved, but the neighboring houses were unscathed, so that was something.

  Even after ten years as a firefighter Dylan was still amazed at how alive each fire was, how a blaze had its own personality. Some were unpredictable drama queens, others quiet and stealthy as they ate through property, their smoky breath silently killing anyone unlucky enough to be sleeping without a smoke detector in the house.

  It was getting on to 1:00 a.m. A few civilians in bathrobes and hastily donned clothes stood in clusters watching the fire. A dog nosed forward to sniff and quickly pulled back when a blast of flame shot out a window.

  An ancient Ford screeched to a halt at the curb beside where Dylan stood and a young woman got out. She had a six-pack of beer under her arm, and from the glazed eyes she was already under the influence of something. She stood and stared at the burning building, then started to glance around, increasingly agitated. “Terry? Terry!” She screamed the name over and over. Then she grabbed Dylan’s arm. “He’s in there. Terry’s still in there.”

  Shit. “Where?” He tried to steady her. “Where is Terry?”

  S
he pointed at the lower windows as though he were stupid. “In there. In the basement apartment.”

  He glanced up to find his captain, Len Butcher, striding over, shaking his head. But Dylan was already on the move. He grabbed an ax, ran around to the back of the house and found the door to the basement none of them had known existed. Damn it, the neighbors had said that the owners were away. Nobody had mentioned an apartment.

  He didn’t need the ax. He found that the door opened when he turned the knob. He did and was about to enter when his captain yelled. “Pull back! Damn it, Cross. Too dangerous. Pull back.”

  He registered the words, but only through the buzzing of adrenaline. Somebody inside. Had to get them out.

  Dylan pushed in. Where the smoke was thick and the growl of the fire was much louder. To his left, a kitchen, on the right, squalid living quarters with the remains of a collection of plants. The bedroom was behind the living area, thick with smoke, and he could barely make out the hump in the bed. He ran forward, knowing time was running out. He could feel the tremble as the house succumbed. Inside his suit, sweat pooled.

  He shook the limp man. No response. He reached into the bed, hauled the guy up. Luckily, he was skin and bones and didn’t weigh much. Dylan humped him over his shoulder and staggered back the way he’d come.

  He almost made it.

  He could make out the doorway, the way he’d come in, but as he ran for it, the ceiling caved in on them. It was like a fireworks display, all spark and sizzle. As he fell, he pitched forward, trying to throw the unconscious man out the door.

  Then something hit him and he blacked out.

  * * *

  “YOU WENT AGAINST my direct order,” Len Butcher yelled at him a week later when the doctor said he could return to work. Len had an unfortunate face. It was as if someone had crossed a bulldog with a baked potato. The result wasn’t happy. His face was broad and dark-skinned, with that mash of nose in the middle just begging for a pat of butter and sour cream. “I had to risk two other firefighters to go in after you. You could have all been killed.”