His fingers itched to touch the soft cap of hair, and he fought against it. It wasn’t the way he wanted to begin this trip. Lusting after the daughter of the people he would be spending the week with would be extremely difficult. Kelly’s words came back to him. He wouldn’t embarrass any of the Marshalls. No matter what.
“Lean back, woman. Lean back.”
Kelly made herself calm down as they landed and began to disembark from the plane. She picked up her carry-on and followed the rest of the passengers up the aircraft ramp. She fairly danced around the other passengers when she saw them.
Sloan watched Kelly take off at a trot. A woman with a mission. His stare followed her until he could see whom she was running to. Kelly launched herself into an older man’s arms and clung to him tightly. Then she turned to the woman beside him and kissed both her cheeks.
Sloan studied the trio and smiled. Kelly’s mom was a petite version of Kelly. She stood barely five foot tall and had her daughter’s beauty. Her auburn hair was pulled up into a simple bun, and she wore a plain blue dress with sandals.
Kelly’s father stood over six feet tall and appeared to be a giant compared to the two women. His hair was brown but shot through with gray. He was a big bear of a man. Clean-shaven. He wore dark blue jeans and a blue and green flannel shirt. His brown leather work boots peeked out from beneath his jeans. He had one woman under each arm and beamed with pride.
Sloan walked slowly up to the trio and told himself he shouldn’t be nervous. It was just a week. He could handle anything for a week.
Kelly’s dad moved forward and stuck out his hand. “George Marshall. You must be Sloan Davenport. Nice to meet you.”
“Pleasure.” Sloan shook his hand.
“Christine Marshall.” The petite woman moved forward and shook his hand, also. She smiled once again and turned around to Kelly. They were like two schoolgirls who hadn’t seen each other all weekend. Their heads were tucked close together, and Sloan felt himself grinning. They took off briskly down the corridor. Sloan’s grin slowly faded at George’s next words.
“You hurt my daughter, and you and I will have problems, son.” He nodded once and started after the women.
Sloan stood there in shock for a minute and then chuckled softly. Somehow, he didn’t doubt it.
Chapter 10
Kelly and Sloan picked up their luggage and followed George outside to the green king cab truck. Kelly slid into the back first, and Sloan followed. George opened the door for Christine and then went around to the driver’s side. He folded himself in and quickly started it.
“I hope you’re hungry, Sloan. My wife is the best cook in the tri-county area.” The pride was obvious in the older man’s voice. He drove off toward the exit to the highway.
“Yes, sir.” Sloan grinned. “I look forward to it.”
Kelly looked from her dad to Sloan and rolled her eyes. Kiss ass, she mouthed.
Sloan covered his laugh with a slight cough. He winked at Kelly and grinned.
Christine turned around to look at her daughter. “I hope you don’t mind, Kel. But I’ve got errands to run tomorrow. Would you mind keeping me company?”
Kelly shot a look to Sloan. “That would be fine, Mom. And Sloan and Daddy can entertain each other.”
George looked in the rearview mirror. “That work for you, Sloan?”
“Yes.” He nodded. “Kelly and I can work on the sets another day. I’d love to look around.”
Kelly snorted. “Look around? This is a hands-on operation, bud. I hope you brought your shit-kickers.”
“Shit-kickers?” Sloan mock frowned. “I’m not familiar with that term.” He grinned widely.
George’s laughter rolled throughout the truck. “Son, I think you might just fit in after all.”
* * * *
Twenty minutes later, George turned onto a dirt road that had Sloan’s teeth rattling in his head. Kelly’s face was practically pressed to the window, and he grinned. When they rounded a corner, Sloan’s jaw dropped. It was absolutely breathtaking.
Rolling hills with hundreds of trees dotting the land opened before his eyes. Cattle grazed in fenced-off lots and looked up lazily to see what was making all the commotion. Two huge red barns sat up on a hill and had various farm equipment parked alongside them.
Straight ahead was the large two-story white farmhouse with a porch swing and flowers surrounding it. Large honeysuckle vines threaded through a white trellis on the right side of the porch. Various shades of roses bloomed on the left.
A large garden was tilled and waiting on the far right side where the line of trees circled the acreage. It was also fenced off and had perfect rows with signs posted. A large black dog came bounding from the back, barking.
Dozens of birdfeeders hung from the massive oak tree that separated the house from the first fenced pen. A tree house could be seen amongst the branches.
Kelly reached over gently and picked up Sloan’s jaw.
“It’s beautiful,” he stated.
Christine’s grin was proud. “Thank you, Sloan. We’ve always thought so. And we’re glad to have you. Come on in. I’ve made a pie. And we have leftovers from dinner if you’re hungry.”
Sloan opened the door and stepped out into the dirt driveway. The huge black dog came over and sniffed at him. Sloan stood stock still while the dog finished inspecting him. He barked a low bark, and Sloan jumped.
“Rufus!” Kelly practically pushed Sloan aside as she hugged the dog’s neck. “Hey, beautiful! Been keeping the farm in line?” She looked up at Sloan and grinned. “He wanted you to pet him. He doesn’t bite.”
“Oh.” Sloan looked at the dog distrustfully. “He’s never bit anyone?”
“I didn’t say that.” Kelly’s green eyes danced. “But he won’t bite you. If he wanted to, he would have already.”
“Small comfort,” Sloan muttered. He skirted the dog and walked to the back of the truck to grab their suitcases.
Kelly’s laughter followed him. He grabbed her suitcases and started for the house.
“Wait!” She trotted over to him. “I can get those.”
“Nope.”
Kelly arched an eyebrow. “And why not?”
Sloan nodded his head towards the house. “I’m trying to get in good with your folks. I think your dad will appreciate it.”
She bit her lip to keep from laughing. “As long as it’s not for me.”
He shook his head. “Now why would I do that?” He began whistling as he walked toward the house.
Kelly laughed and caught up with him at the door. “Upstairs. Third door on your right. Yours is the first door on your right. I’ll be in the kitchen when you’re done.”
She ducked into the kitchen doorway and inhaled deeply. Two pecan pies were on the kitchen table along with chicken and corn on the cob. Kelly could smell the biscuits in the oven, and her mouth watered. She hurriedly walked over to her mother and hugged her tight.
“I’ve missed you.”
Christine smiled. “I’ve missed you, too, sugar.”
“About Daddy…”
Christine held her finger up to her lips as George walked through the doorway. “What do you have on the stove, woman?”
“Well, old man, I have biscuits in the oven and fried chicken on the table.”
“Old?” George’s lips twitched. “I didn’t call you old.”
“And a good thing, too.” Christine turned back around and hummed as she poured an iced tea.
George laughed and looked at Kelly. “She gets worse every year.”
Sloan walked through the kitchen doorway and stood stock-still. “Are those pecan pies?” His voice was hushed.
“Yes.” Christine looked at him quizzically. “You don’t like them? I can whip up something else.”
His stare found hers, and he jerked his head toward George. “Leave this guy. Run away with me. I can give you the moon. The stars. Anything.” He walked like a man in a trance toward the table.
<
br /> Christine blushed and laughed. “Have a sweet tooth, do you?”
Kelly laughed because she could actually see Sloan smacking his lips. “You are insane!”
Sloan tapped his watch. “I say we meet at midnight and get out of here. You grab the pies. That’s all we really need.”
George roared with laughter. “Son,” he said, clapping Sloan on the back, “I know I like you now.”
Sloan grinned and edged a pie toward him. “Is dinner almost done? Because I’m not really that hungry. Maybe just a piece of pie.” He looked hopefully at Christine.
She opened a drawer and handed him a knife. “One piece before. One piece after, if you finish your dinner.”
“Deal.” Sloan cut a thick wedge and placed it gently on a plate. He pulled back a chair and sat down. Kelly handed him a fork, and he took a bite.
His eyes closed in bliss. When he finished his bite, he glanced up at George. “You need anything built around here? Reinforced? Anything at all. We could work out a trade.”
George sat down. “You may have to work out a deal with the woman.” He lowered his voice. “She runs the show. I don’t let her know it, but she does.”
Sloan snickered. “I’ll do my best.”
Kelly sat down and watched her daddy and Sloan talk about the farm and buildings. She smiled when she realized that maybe this trip wasn’t the bad idea it first seemed to be. So far, things were working out fine.
Christine’s timer dinged, and she removed the hot biscuits from the oven. She placed them on the table, removed her apron, and sat down.
George immediately bowed his head, and the others followed. He said grace and then brought his head back up. He filled his plate and then passed the dishes to Sloan.
Sloan piled his plate high with everything on the table and grinned at Christine. “That running away idea is a standing offer.”
George mock scowled at him. “I’ve about got her trained. What makes you think I’d let her go?”
Kelly made choking noises and quickly took a drink of diet soda.
Christine’s eyebrows arched. “Who has trained whom, George Marshall?”
His blue eyes danced as they met his wife’s sharp gaze. “I love you, honey.”
“Hmph.” Christine brought her glass of tea up to hide her smile. “And you darn well better.”
Sloan watched the two of them give each other hell and smiled. Kelly’s parents were great. He shot a glance to her and noticed she had relaxed significantly since they arrived. Her shoulders weren’t all tense, and she wasn’t frowning.
She glanced over at him and smiled. Sloan’s body tightened at the way her lips parted as she grinned. He winked at her and told himself that having carnal thoughts while at the dinner table was probably the second way to get into hell.
They finished dinner, and Christine stood to clear the table. Kelly jumped up quickly and shooed her mother away from the table. “Go outside, Mama. I’ll do the dishes. You and Daddy go sit on the porch swing.”
Christine smiled gratefully. She patted her daughter’s cheek. “Thanks, hon. Holler at us before you head to bed. We’ll plan a time to leave in the morning.”
“You’ve got it, Mama.”
Kelly watched her parents walk out the front door and blew out a breath. She turned around and saw Sloan watching her.
“Yes?” The one word was a challenge.
“If your mother runs away with me, I’ll let you come and visit.”
His tone was so sincere that she threw back her head and howled with laughter. When she finally stopped, she wiped her eyes and grinned.
“You’ve overestimated your charms.”
Sloan stepped forward and cupped her cheek in his hand. His gorgeous eyes looked down into hers. “Have I?”
Kelly cocked her head to the side and studied him. “I thought we were going to remain friends?” she whispered.
“Yes.” Sloan ran his thumb over her bottom lip and smiled. “Friends.” He stepped back and turned toward the table. “I’ll clean the plates off if you wash. Then I’ll dry.”
She turned around on shaking legs and leaned against the sink. “Fine.” Her voice was faint even to her own ears. “That’s fine.”
* * * *
They finished the dishes and bid everyone goodnight. Kelly led Sloan up the stairs, and she stopped at his room. “Thanks for helping with the dishes. If you need any extra blankets or pillows, the linen closet is across the hall.”
She started to walk away when he grabbed her arm. Sloan pulled her closer and held her tight. He softly kissed her hair and then moved back. “Goodnight, Kelly.” He walked through his bedroom door and softly closed it.
Kelly turned on unsteady legs and practically ran to her room. She shut the door and sank onto the bed. Her heart beat frantically, and she tried to slow her breathing. Sloan’s simple kiss had ignited a fire in her that she didn’t want.
“Friends,” she muttered. “Yeah, right.” Kelly flopped back on her full-size bed and groaned. She looked around her room and mustered a smile. Her parents hadn’t changed any of it. It was still sunshine yellow with flowers that decorated every corner. Green accents raced along the wall, and she grinned. Mama had a fit when she suggested that. She thought the room would look like a huge lemon or lime. Instead the result was a fresh, spring look, which Kelly loved.
Her bedspread was blue with dainty wildflowers all over it. Her pillowcases were sewn to match the motif of the room. Kelly picked up a pillow and buried her face into it. She let out a strangled scream. Sloan was making her crazy. She expected to have to be on her guard all the time. But not for the reason she was now.
Kelly shivered in her room. His hands on her skin. His lips on hers. She punched the pillow and rolled over. Why did he have to be so damn charming? Good-looking? Dependable? The thought stopped Kelly in her tracks. Dependable.
She stood abruptly and pressed her hand to her heart. Uh uh. No way. She didn’t like Sloan. Nope. Bad idea. Horrible idea. Kelly closed her eyes and prayed for an inkling of sanity somewhere. Anywhere.
Sloan Davenport was dangerous to her heart. And that wasn’t acceptable under any circumstances. Her heart was fine as it was. And if it wasn’t, then no one need ever know.
* * * *
The alarm clock went off at seven o’clock sharp. Kelly groaned and opened one eye blearily. She turned it off with one brisk slap and flopped back down on the bed.
Daddy would already be up and halfway through his chores. Mama would be cooking breakfast and planning her day. Kelly rolled out of bed and stretched on her tiptoes. It felt great to be home and not have to worry about work, learning lines, and the like. But she knew if she stayed any longer than a week, she would be craving the hectic life she left in California. Acting was one of her biggest addictions. That and diet soda.
She opened her closet and pulled out a pair of faded blue jeans and a green Henley. She dug a little deeper and pulled out a pair of brown hiking boots that had seen better days. They were her favorites. She tromped all over the farm in them.
Kelly dressed quickly and brushed her hair. She pulled it back into a ponytail and applied a little chapstick. Sloan would probably still be asleep, but she would tap on his door on the way down.
She opened her door and inhaled deeply. Mama’s breakfasts always made her mouth water. Kelly shut the door behind her and walked hurriedly to Sloan’s. He would have to dress in a hurry, or he would miss the hot breakfast.
Kelly tapped twice and waited. Then she tapped again. Frowning, she turned the handle and peeked inside. No Sloan. She shook her head and walked down the stairs. He beat her to the breakfast table.
Sloan was teasing Christine when Kelly walked through the door. His gaze sharpened, as he took in the sight of the soap opera star in her natural environment. She took his breath away. His body tightened uncomfortably, and he tried to smile.
“Sloan?” Christine turned around and saw her daughter in the doorway. She glanced a
t Sloan and smiled. His expression showed far more than he thought it did. She looked at Kelly and smiled.
“I see your guest has beat you to breakfast.”
Kelly laughed. “So he has. And here I was, trying to wake you up so you had a chance at a hot breakfast.”
Sloan shifted in his chair and nodded. “I thought this was the house of ‘If you snooze, you lose.’ Therefore, I set my phone alarm. Pretty smart, eh?” He watched as Kelly pulled out a chair and sat down. Her light scent drifted over to him, and he told himself that he had smelled a woman before. But none of that seemed to matter. He couldn’t take his eyes off Kelly.
The jeans molded to her shapely legs, and the shirt stretched across her breasts like a second skin. Her ponytail bounced jauntily, and he smiled. She looked like a teenager. No wonder her producer wouldn’t let her wander around dressed like that.
George came stomping in, and Sloan snapped out of his reverie and told himself to quit staring. Neither Kelly nor Christine seemed to have noticed, for which he was thankful. George nodded to everyone and sat down. He took a sip of his coffee and sighed in contentment.
“You going to be ready to ride a little fence, Sloan?”
Sloan glanced at Kelly with a question in his eyes, but she just slightly nodded and smiled.
“Yes.”
“Ever ridden a horse before?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good.” George began making his plate.
Sloan looked over at Kelly with panic written all over his face. She patted his leg under the table and then spoke.
“Daddy.”
“Hm?” George looked up from his pancakes.
“I was going to show Sloan the grounds later this week. How about he help you out with the barns and the fence that’s closer?”
George nodded. “That would be fine.” He looked at Sloan again. “You can swing a hammer, right?”
Sloan grinned. “With the best of them.”
“We’ll finish breakfast and get started.”
Both men tucked into their breakfast and finished up quickly. Sloan thanked Christine for breakfast and waved to Kelly as he left. The door shut behind the men, and Christine turned to look at her daughter.
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