She sucked in a deep breath, but it didn’t help. He was so close she couldn’t escape the effect he had on her. Last night had lit a fire inside her. Now that fire fought to rage out of control. “Was incredible.”
“The kiss?” he asked, swallowing before he teased, “Or the drive?” His near-gold gaze searched hers.
“All of it,” she murmured. She wanted his touch and his kiss... And when his lips brushed softly against hers, she almost forgot there were still things to say. Important things... But his mouth was heaven. She shuddered, putting a hand in the middle of his chest.
“What’s wrong?” His arms kept her anchored against him. Right where she wanted to be.
“Before I lose my head over you, you have to know this can’t be more than what it is. Yes, you set me on fire—” She broke off, loving the smile on his face. “It doesn’t change anything, though. I’m still leaving. And you’re still juggling a dozen jobs and your girls. We both have kids to think about, and our fathers’ determination to hate each other doesn’t help. Neither of us is looking for more complications right now. But we’re both lonely, both needing something the other can give.”
He stared at her, his expression blank.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this.” She shook her head. “You’re important to me, Brody. And now that we’ve reconnected, you’re too important to lose over whatever this...is.” She pointed back and forth between them. She’d never hurt him, ever. Or risk a friendship she’d always treasured. Right now, she needed his friendship. “I think it’d be easier if we kept this to ourselves. But this is kind of hard to get around, isn’t it? The wanting? I just don’t want us to do something we might regret.” She ran a hand over her face. “Does that make me a bad person?”
His hands gripped the waist of her pants, the ghost of a smile on his lips. “Just so I understand what you’re saying, here. You want me, I want you, and as long as we don’t let it interfere with our friendship, or our families, we should see where this takes us?”
She smiled. “Yes. You made that sound easy.”
His gaze searched hers, the muscle in his jaw working. “And you want to know if this makes you a bad person?”
She nodded, her smile vanishing.
“If you’re a bad person, then so am I because I’m not going to turn you down.” His hand brushed the hair from her forehead. “Thought a lot about this?”
“All night.” Which was true.
He nodded. “Sneaking around and keeping secrets? In Fort Kyle?” His hand cupped her cheek, one finger sweeping her lower lip. “Easier said than done.”
His touch was too much. But his words struck a nerve. Maybe she was fooling herself. How could they get away with this? “Maybe.”
“Maybe? Not so sure now?” he asked. “Might be too risky?” He leaned forward to run his nose along her throat. “I’m not trying to change your mind. I’m all for it, Goldilocks. But, like you said, neither one of us needs complications. So you let me know when you’re sure this is what you really want to do.” He released her and stepped away, leaving her reeling and flushed and oh-so needy. “I’m good with whatever you decide.”
Whatever she decided. She wasn’t sure why that bothered her. Almost like he’d be perfectly fine to forget last night happened. Yes, that would be easier. But she didn’t know how to do that.
“I’ll let you know about when we get the truck hauled in.” He was talking about trucks and phone numbers, acting like nothing out of the normal was happening. Her body was one throbbing pulse, thanks to him. He was sliding on his coat, putting on his hat, getting ready to leave. And she just stood there, staring and beyond confused.
He opened the door but looked back at her. “You look beautiful today, India.” And with that, he was gone.
What had just happened? She stared out the window. Disappointment slammed into her, hard and urgent. He was leaving. Acting like he was fine either way. Which is good. She was the one who had told him how it was going to be—then panicked when he pointed out it might not be as easy as they’d like. She’d regret it, if they got caught. But she knew, deep down, she’d regret not taking the risk more. If she were being honest, the risk made it only more exciting—something she hadn’t had much of in years.
His headlights turned on, spurring her into action. She grabbed her phone to type, I’m sure. I think it will be worth the risk, but realized he had her number but she didn’t have his. She headed to the door, but he was already driving down Main Street, his taillights disappearing in the rain.
* * *
BRODY TURNED OFF Main Street, his windshield wipers on high. Not that the rain could shake his good mood. India Boone was giving him a chance. She might not know it, thinking she could do this no-strings thing, but he’d do his damnedest to show her just how good it could be between them—and not just in bed. Sure, her proposal had thrown him for a loop. But he understood. She was still too hell-bent on getting away from this place to ever get involved with a man who called Fort Kyle home. It would take time, charm and sheer determination, but he’d show her the town was bigger and better than the bad blood between her and her father. And having her in his bed... His hands tightened on the steering wheel at the thought. He’d never wanted a woman as powerfully as he wanted India.
The rain picked up, forcing him to slow and turn his attention to driving. Fort Kyle needed water, but this had all the earmarks of a flash flood. Too much rain too quick led to washed-out fences, stranded livestock and accidents.
For years, he’d ached to hold India close, to have her pressed against him, clinging to his shirt and kissing him as if her life depended on it. Last night she had. Nothing had felt better—felt more right—than that kiss.
Now she was offering him a whole lot more than just kisses. And while his heart was on the line, he’d risk it. She was worth it. To see her smile and laugh, to make her happy and love her the way he’d always wanted. For now, he had what he always wanted. Yep, he was feeling pretty damn lucky.
Lucky or not, he was feeling like an idiot when he pulled under the covered driveway of the feed store and parked. He had no doubt Jared, the man who ran Wallace Feed Store and Farm Equipment, was scratching his head over Brody’s need to pick up supplies now—in the middle of the biggest storm these parts had seen for years. But if he hadn’t come into town for supplies, he’d have had no excuse to see India. His cover story about the girls’ birthday was a bit flimsy on its own.
“Jared.” He nodded at the old man.
“Brody.” The man nodded back. “Luke, give Mr. Wallace a hand, boy.”
Brody shouldered a fifty-pound bag of feed and carried it to his truck. Jared’s teenage nephew Luke helped him load his truck bed with five bags of feed, ten bags of deer corn, protein and salt blocks, a few rolls of barbed wire and a new post hole digger.
“Hell of a rain,” Jared Beasley said, his battered feed store hat pushed back on his head. “Fence wash out?” he asked, eyeing the new wire.
“Not yet.” Brody grinned. “But I want to be prepared in case.”
“How’s your father?” Jared had been working at the feed store for as long as Brody could remember. The man had well-creased leather skin and a piercing gaze, and he kept his ear to the ground. He was fair and honest—two things Vic Wallace valued above all else. Which made Jared one of his father’s favorite employees.
“Stubborn as a mule and twice as mean,” he answered, laughing with Jared.
“Sounds about right.” The older man nodded, still grinning.
“But he’s healing,” Brody tacked on. “He’s supposed to be taking it easy, but I don’t see him listening for much longer.” He pulled a tarp from his toolbox and shook it out, then tied it securely over his truck bed to keep his supplies dry.
“That’s it, Mr. Wallace,” Luke said, nodding at him. “Need anything else?”
“That should do it. Thank you, Luke.”
The boy nodded, glanced out into the thick sheets of rain and headed back inside.
With a wave for Jared, Brody climbed into the truck. His phone started ringing. He sighed, pulled his phone out and answered it. His mother. When she learned he was in town, she rattled off a small grocery list, including food for Lollipop, who had a sensitive stomach.
He hung up and was about to pull out when his phone started ringing again, but this time it wasn’t his mother.
“Brody Wallace? Jan Ramirez here. From WQAI, channel four. Edna Francis contacted me about your run for mayor.” WQAI was one of the only local news stations—in the city of Alpine forty minutes down the road.
This was probably what Miss Francis had called him about. “Did she?” He chuckled. “That woman is full of surprises.”
“Yes, sir. She’s quite a fan.” He could hear the smile in the woman’s voice. “And she’s convinced me that I need to interview you,” she said.
He paused. “Oh? I know firsthand how persuasive she can be.” She’d talked him into running for mayor, after all.
She laughed. “You’re smart to have her on your campaign, Mr. Wallace. Her enthusiasm is contagious. We’d like to do a segment on you and your family. A sort of reintroduction to the community as Fort Kyle’s next mayor. You know, a real human interest story.”
He should be flattered—thrilled at the exposure—but he wasn’t.
“Would you be free Saturday? We’ll come down, spend the day with you, and then air segments all next week at the five and ten o’clock news.” She paused, clearly waiting for his response.
He cleared his throat, processing. He might be running unopposed, but he’d be working with neighboring towns and counties—this would give them a look at who he was and what he stood for. For that, he was thankful.
“Mr. Wallace?”
“Might want to hold off until this rain clears. Hate to have ya’ll washed into a ravine on my account.”
She laughed. “According to our weatherman, the rain should clear out before eight tonight. Where would you like to meet?”
“The fort.” It was neutral territory—the perfect place for determining just how up close and personal Jan Ramirez needed to get with the rest of his family.
“Perfect. We’ll plan to be there around ten?”
“Sounds like a plan.” A plan that could blow up in his face. “I look forward to meeting you in person.” They exchanged a few more pleasantries before he hung up, hoping like hell he hadn’t just shot himself in the foot.
He hurried through the grocery store and then checked out, sighing at the astronomical price of the dog food his mother had special-ordered.
By the time he was headed back to the ranch, he was soaking wet. He’d be lucky to get home in time for dinner and playtime with the girls before bed. He grinned, thinking about how tickled Amberleigh would be over the dinosaur Band-Aids he’d found. They weren’t dragons, but they were close.
He pulled into the barn and parked. His phone rang. “Brody here.”
“Hey, Brody, it’s Daniel. I’m taking the tow truck out to pick up the truck on the ridge. I’ll tow it back to Click’s place and take a look at it there. As soon as I know what we’re looking at, I’ll let you know.”
“Thanks, Daniel, I appreciate it. If the roads are too bad, don’t take any chances.”
“Nah, man, I kick it into four-wheel drive and have some fun. See ya,” he said, and hung up.
Brody pulled India’s number from his pocket, texted her the news and stared at the screen. He had so much more to say. In person. He ran through the rain to the house—groceries in tow.
“Wipe your feet,” his mother called out.
“It won’t make a difference. Might as well bring me a towel,” he argued, standing on the welcome mat.
“Daddy!” Suellen came barreling at him, coming to a complete halt a foot away. “You’re wet, Daddy.”
“I am, sugar. It’s raining buckets out there,” he agreed. “Can you get a towel from Nana?”
Suellen nodded and ran off.
“Daddy’s making a mess,” Marilyn chastised him.
“Think I’ll get in trouble?” he asked.
Marilyn shrugged.
Amberleigh came running, her bare feet splashing in the puddle he’d made before reaching for him.
“I’m wet,” he warned.
“’Kay,” she said, undeterred.
He set the bags on the ground and scooped her up, his phone falling from his pocket in the process. It hit the floor, bounced into the puddle and landed faceup.
“Uh-oh,” Marilyn said. “Broke it?” She picked it up and offered it to him.
The screen lit up, no sign of damage. “I think it’s fine.” He took it, touching the screen. And revealing a new message. From India.
Thanks for the update. And that other thing. I’m sure. It will be worth the risk.
“Okay?” Amberleigh asked, tugging on his hand.
It will be worth the risk.
His heart tripped faster, those six words confirming this was his lucky day. There was no denying it would be risky, but not the way she thought. She didn’t know he was risking his heart for her. She didn’t know how much he loved her. But, this was his chance to win her over. She’d come to see him as the man she needed, a man who would love and respect her, and who wanted to make her happy—in every way he could.
He hugged Amberleigh tight and pressed a kiss to her temple, all the while smiling from ear to ear. “Everything is just fine, darling.”
Chapter Eight
India wiped the scraps of construction paper and dried drops of glue off the laminate tabletop and into the trash can. Cal, always eager to help, had already swept the floor and was reading through the classroom books.
“India, you don’t have to do that.” Norma Klein was the lead first-grade teacher at Fort Kyle Elementary. She was patient and kind and hugely pregnant.
“I don’t mind,” she assured her. John, one of two custodians for all three grade schools, was always running. If wiping down the tables and chairs helped even a little, India was glad to do it. “How are you holding up?” she asked, remembering how tired she’d been at the end of her pregnancy with Cal.
“Almost ready,” she said, leaning against the doorway. “And that’s sort of why I came to find you.”
India finished putting the chairs on the table. “What can I do to help?”
“Sub for me?” she asked. “With the holidays factored in, I’ll be out until the first of February—assuming she doesn’t come early.”
“Long term?” Long term meant more money—a good thing. But she wasn’t ready to let go of the idea that she and Cal would be long gone by February. With her counseling test coming up next month, she’d hopefully have a job by the holidays. But then, staying would give her more time with Brody. His arms. His smile. His touch. His kiss. A shudder ran up her spine. And more money—that would be the primary reason she stayed. If she stayed.
“Please,” Norma said. “You know my kids and our schedule. You know how hard it is to find qualified substitutes.” Considering how isolated Fort Kyle was, the pickings were slim. “You don’t have to decide right away,” Norma said, sensing her hesitation. “I know you need to focus on your test and all.”
“I’ll let you know soon, Norma. Thank you for asking me.” Having a guaranteed income would be a nice change. And, even if she did pass her certification test, there was no guarantee she’d find a position right away. Still, the idea of staying put was a hard pill to swallow. The tension between her and her father was growing unbearable.
“Otherwise, I’ll call my aunt, Betty Berry.” She wrinkled her nose.
India tried not to react. “I didn’t know Mrs. Berry was your aunt.” Betty Berry was
a retired teacher with years of experience, who still subbed occasionally. She was also old, impatient and hard of hearing. Her teaching methods hadn’t changed since the 1970s. And most of the kids were scared of her.
“Yep. She’s my mother’s sister.” She chuckled. “No more fun during family holidays than in the classroom.” Norma waved. “Have a good weekend.”
“You, too.”
“Mom,” Cal spoke up as soon as Norma left. “Why won’t you help Mrs. Klein? Scary Berry is mean, Mom, really mean.”
“Scary Berry?” she asked, trying not to laugh.
“She’s awful.” He put his book on the shelf and helped her put the last of the chairs up. “She makes you eat all your veggies at lunch.”
“I’ll have to ask her what her secret is,” she teased.
“Mom.” Cal frowned. “You have to color in the lines or she’ll take recess away.”
India sighed. “How about we talk about this later? Right now I want some caffeine, a clean shirt and a movie. Maybe a superhero movie? Or something with dinosaurs?”
Cal smiled. “Distracting me, Mom?”
She laughed. “Maybe.” She did need a clean shirt, though. A kindergartner’s strawberry milk carton had exploded all over her at lunch, leaving a residual stickiness even after spot treating.
“Can we go to the fort tomorrow? Take my arrowhead to Miss Ada and see if it’s important?”
“I’m sure it is, Cal.” She smiled at her son. He was probably the only five-year-old who worried about turning in his archeological finds. “We’ll go as soon as they open, okay?”
“Okay,” he agreed. “Can we watch Journey to the Center of the Earth?”
“For the hundredth time?” she asked. “Fine. But we need to make a grocery trip first, okay?”
He sighed but nodded as they walked down the hall to the office, then waited patiently while she signed out.
“Mom,” he whispered. “Isn’t that Mrs. Wallace?”
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