Dark Horse (Aspen Falls Novel)

by Melissa Pearl

  They were aiming for Vienna this year. Her mother had the trip all planned.

  Xavier was taking off to New Zealand, and Annabelle was putting Chantel in charge of the salon so she could flit off to the Bahamas with her summertime boyfriend, Pedro. The guy lived in Florida and if just one of them was willing to compromise, they could probably have a real relationship, but neither would move, so they had one week of romance a year and then behaved like singletons the rest of the time. Sally found it weird, but didn’t say anything. It wasn’t like she could talk.

  Last summer, she’d stayed in Aspen Falls while her family jetted off.

  It had been lonely and boring, except for the time Nate had surprised her, whisking her away for forty-eight hours of bliss at a gorgeous bed-and-breakfast up north. They’d spent the whole time focused on each other. They’d hiked, played chess, and she’d taught him the names of each and every bone in his body—a fun, naked way to spend an afternoon.

  It had been the perfect getaway.

  When she had Nate—his full attention—Sally was the happiest version of herself.

  It wasn’t that she needed him all the time. But forty-eight hours every once in a while wasn’t enough, either. She wished Nate could see that. He needed to balance his life and stop pushing family down his priority list. If only he could work it out.

  Sally closed her eyes and held the heavy sigh building in her chest.

  Oscar didn’t need to know what she was thinking. He was taking her away so he could give her all the things she wanted in a relationship—time, attention, uninterrupted conversation.

  Nerves scuttled through her.

  Would he want more than conversation? Could she give that to him?

  They’d made out since they’d started dating, but nothing hot and heavy. He didn’t spark her desire the way Nate did. Maybe he would in time, but with Nate it was instinct. Her body craved him. Her heart and soul could never get enough.

  Rubbing the ache between her breasts, she tried to push thoughts of Nate from her mind, but it was a struggle. The last time she’d come to the lake house had been with him. Sure, her family had been around too, but they’d snuck away the afternoon before he had to head back to work and made love in the woods. They’d felt like the only two people on earth, naked in nature. She’d never felt more whole and satisfied.

  “Penny for your thoughts?” Oscar asked.

  Sally jerked in her seat and turned to face him. A hot blush burned her cheeks and she stiffly shook her head.

  He gave her a hopeful smile and she internally groaned. Did he think she was dreaming of being naked with him?

  She cleared her throat and forced a giggle. “Sorry. My mind was just wandering to past summers. My family has had a lot of good times at the lake house.” She looked down and prayed he couldn’t smell lies.

  “Well, I’m very much looking forward to seeing it. Your father obviously loves it. When he offered it to me for the weekend, I could tell by the way he spoke that it’s a very special haven for your family.”

  “It is.” She nodded. “This will make up for last summer when you couldn’t join us. Daddy’s been desperate for you to see his favorite place in the world.”

  Oscar smiled and reached across the car, taking her hand and threading his fingers between hers.

  She didn’t wiggle free of his grasp. If anything, she tried to accept it. Her father never offered the cabin to strangers. It was almost sacred to the Richmond clan. The fact that he’d suggested Oscar bring her here meant a lot. It’d be so much easier if she fell in love with him.

  Easier.

  Simpler.

  But…

  “Is this the one?” Oscar let go of her hand to point at the narrow driveway.

  Sally nodded and a moment later, they breeched the trees and pulled up next to the beloved lake house. Her father had built it two years after he and Yvonne had gotten married. A two-story log cabin right on the edge of the water, with a balcony off the master bedroom and a wraparound deck on the bottom floor. In the summer, every window and door was thrown open, which made Sally feel like she was living both inside and out at the same time.

  Sucking in a full breath, Sally got out of the car, hoping the familiar scent of pine and fresh air would enrich her soul. Gazing up at the surrounding trees before taking in the rustic cabin, she tried to feel the warmth and excitement she normally did. But it was a struggle.

  “This is amazing.” Oscar grinned at her. “What an honor to be here with you.”

  Sally smiled. “Come on, let me show you around.”

  She took her time with the tour, telling stories as she showed him each room. They paused on the top deck for a long time, leaning against the railing and staring out at the water. It was a stunning view, the beautiful lake bordered by towering trees. Sally glanced at the dock and pictured their boat. When the hot summer weather hit, the boat would be permanently moored there so it was ready to go whenever they arrived.

  “Should we go for a ride?” Sally pointed at the boathouse. “We could get the boat out and I could take you to the other side of the lake. There’s some great hiking trails over there.”

  Oscar glanced at his watch and then looked up to the blue sky. “I love the idea, but do you mind if we spend a little while here first? I’d love to open a bottle of wine.” He slid his hand around her waist. “Relax a little. We could sit out here, soak up the sun.” His eyes traveled to the double doors and the king bed behind them.

  Sally swallowed and forced a smile when he turned back to face her. The hunger in his eyes was unmistakable, and when he leaned in to kiss her, Sally jerked tall before she could stop herself.

  “Okay,” she said, brightly. “I’ll go get some wine and food, then.”

  “Sounds good.” Oscar failed to hide his disappointment and got busy unbuttoning his shirtsleeves and rolling them up as she walked back into the house.

  Squeezing her hands in and out of fists, she tried to calm her jitters. She took her sweet time preparing food for them, taking extra care with arranging the platter. Oscar had brought everything from dried fruits to imported grapes, four types of cheeses, deli meats, and an array of crackers. She felt like a master chef, fiddling with the plating until it looked restaurant worthy.

  She didn’t usually bother with that kind of thing, but she was nervous.

  “Are you nearly ready?” Oscar called from upstairs.

  “Al-almost,” Sally stuttered. She grabbed a few extra crackers and laid them out, determined to not let the wine go to her head. She wasn’t ready to sleep with Oscar and didn’t want to let her guard down.

  She stilled.

  That was it.

  That was why the nerves were attacking her.

  She wasn’t ready to sleep with Oscar. Because she wasn’t in love with him.

  Gripping the handles of the tray, she slowly walked up the stairs and laid it down on the table between them.

  “Looks amazing.” Oscar ran his hand down her back, his smile warm with admiration.

  Sally was once again struck by his beauty. He was handsome. Smooth and untainted, his sharp features that of a model’s, yet her heart didn’t flutter the way it did around Nate.

  Dipping her head, she willed herself to relax. Oscar was sweet, kind, handsome. Why was she getting so worked up? If she told him outright that she wasn’t ready for sex, he’d probably hide his disappointment and accept it like a gentleman.

  She held on to that thought and forced herself to calm down as they sipped their wine and chatted.

  They talked around the mundane—nursing, Rusty, the building project. Stories were told and the time passed easily enough. After two full glasses of red, Sally’s limbs were beginning to liquify, and she rested her head back against the chair and closed her eyes.

  “You really are the most beautiful creature.” Oscar’s fingers skimmed down her cheek.

  She flinched and turned to look at him.

  “I think I loved you the
first moment I saw you.” Oscar’s voice was husky and warm. “I prayed that one day I could make you mine, never thinking I’d be heard. To have that wish become a reality is beyond my comprehension.”

  Sally swallowed.

  “I know it probably feels lightning fast, but for me, it’s been years in the making. I love you, Sally Richmond. And…” He licked his lips while reaching beneath the table, then pulled out a ring box.

  Sally’s heart dropped into her stomach, her mind numb when he flipped open the lid to reveal a sparkling engagement ring. The diamond was the size of a large pea and sat within rose gold claws. It glinted in the light and all Sally could do was blink at it.

  “I asked your father’s permission earlier this week and he gave it.” Oscar grinned. “He knows it’s fast, but he wants you to be happy, and Sally, I can make you so incredibly happy. I know I can.” Getting out of his seat, he knelt before her with a hopeful smile on his face. “Sally Marie Richmond, will you marry me?”

  The thunderstorm in her chest made it impossible to speak.

  Her father had agreed to his proposal?

  What the hell?

  Sally blinked, struggling to form an expression, let alone an answer.

  How could she say no? Everyone in her family wanted it. Oscar was a safe bet.

  But…

  She couldn’t.

  She couldn’t do it.

  Her lips trembled as she opened her mouth, dread pulsing through her in anxious waves. “Oscar, I…”

  And then she heard it.

  The sound that would ultimately save her.

  Nate’s Harley.

  33

  Saturday, May 26th

  1:20pm

  Sally jerked from her seat, running to the edge of the deck to look down at the front of the house.

  Nate atop his Harley popped into view mere seconds later and her heart catapulted up her body.

  A mixture of relief, joy and confusion waded through her, but the second he took off his helmet and looked up, the hurricane of emotions settled to a low thrum—a longing so thick and strong she could’ve cried.

  “What the hell is he doing here?” Oscar snapped over her shoulder.

  “I-I’m not sure.”

  Nate still hadn’t said anything. He just stood by his bike, gazing up at her—that gruff, unreadable expression on his face so familiar. Very soon it would either break into a smile or crumple with sadness. She’d seen it so many times before.

  “Can we talk?” he eventually called up. “It’s important.”

  “Okay.” She nodded rapidly. “I’ll come down.”

  She took off at a pace that was no doubt offensive to Oscar, but she didn’t care. Nate was there. He’d come to see her. And she was desperate to hear what he had to say.

  Her mind was racing with possibilities. For a second she worried that someone in his family was injured or had died. Whether Nate wanted to admit it or not, he cared deeply for his family. He just didn’t know how to show it. If something disastrous had happened, it made sense that he’d come for her. She had always been able to make him feel better.

  Weaving around the sofa, Sally rushed outside, ready to listen, to comfort—a role that came so easily to her.

  Sliding the door open, she stepped onto the lower deck and found Nate still hovering near his bike. Part of her wanted to run to him, but caution held her back. She paused at the top of the stairs and rested her hand on the decking post. “Are you okay? Is…is everything okay at home?”

  Nate looked confused for a second, but then blinked and nodded, “Oh, yeah. Everyone’s fine. I’m fine. I mean…I’m not fine. They’re fine. I’m not.” He grimaced and raked a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry to just turn up like this, but you’ve got to know something. I need you to know…” His voice trailed off, his blue gaze unraveling her with its raw beauty. “I’ve been a selfish prick. You had every right to dump me. I was wrong. I thought work could make it better.” He tapped the center of his chest so hard the zipper of his jacket banged up and down. “I’ve been chasing demons ever since my mom died, and I thought that if I just caught enough bad guys that one day, I’ll…I don’t know, start to accept it.” He swallowed. “Like being a good detective made me worthy or something.”

  Sally’s eyes glassed over, her breath evaporating. Nate never spoke so openly about his feelings. He was a locked box…always…but there he was, unleashing everything in a voice so shaky she barely recognized it as his.

  She could hear footsteps pacing around inside the house and quickly glanced over her shoulder. She couldn’t see Oscar, but he was no doubt going insane. He’d just proposed and Nate’s timing couldn’t have been worse. At least from Oscar’s perspective.

  Sally closed her eyes, sick with turmoil yet knowing deep down where her heart wanted to be.

  Right where she was, listening to Nate’s heart.

  She turned back to face him.

  “I’m sorry,” Nate rasped. “I’m ruining your weekend, but I couldn’t wait. I needed you to know that—”

  His phone started ringing and he closed his eyes, obviously frustrated by the interruption.

  Sally dipped her head, her heart sinking as she waited for him to answer it. He yanked it from his pocket with an irritated frown and quickly shut it off. Sally had to blink three times to make sure she hadn’t just been seeing things.

  Did Detective Nate Hartford just ignore a phone call?

  Shoving his device away, he caught Sally’s surprise and his expression buckled. “Shit, I didn’t see you, Sal. You were always right there, patiently waiting for me, and I never appreciated you. I didn’t… I don’t deserve…” He pulled in a ragged breath. “I’d love to drop to my knees right here and beg you for a second chance, but I don’t want to put that kind of pressure on you.”

  Sally wrapped her arms around her waist and held tight. The hope in her chest had suddenly burst to life and was fluttering around inside her ribcage. It tickled and overwhelmed, making her dizzy.

  But then her head started demanding that she pay attention.

  It didn’t matter that Nate was finally saying everything she’d wanted him to. That was no guarantee. Nate wasn’t a man of empty words or promises, but he was still Nate. Ignoring one phone call didn’t mean the change was complete.

  And what about Oscar?

  Soft footsteps sounded on the porch, reminding her that she couldn’t forget about the man who’d just proposed.

  He stepped up beside her, silently staking his claim with an arm around her waist.

  Nate saw it and gave her a resigned smile. “That was my plan as I was driving down here to find you. I’d fall to my knees and beg until you couldn’t turn me away. But then I realized that if I truly love you, your happiness has to come first.” His gaze softened with a smile that Sally could’ve drowned in. “The whole time we were together, you were my solid rock, holding me steady, being whatever I needed, and now it’s your turn. You have to come first.” He swallowed, obviously struggling to say what he had to. “If Oscar makes you happy, then you should be with him. I just needed you to know that I will always love you, no matter what. You’re it for me, Sally. You always have been. My heart is yours…forever.”

  The tears she’d been fighting finally surfaced and spilled over her lashes. She couldn’t contain her smile. It grew on her face like a flower desperate to unfold. It’d just been waiting for the right amount of sun. And there it was.

  Nate’s lips twitched, the gooey expression in his eyes no doubt matching hers.

  She opened her mouth to tell him he was forgiven, that taking him back was the easiest thing in the world, but Oscar stopped her, his fingers digging into her waist as he pulled her against him.

  “I just proposed to you,” he whisper-barked in her ear. His tone was sharp, his voice trembling with emotion. “I told you I love you. I have the ring!”

  She tried to ease out of his grasp but he only tightened his grip. Resting her hand o
n his chest, she attempted to soothe him with a kind smile. “Oscar, you have been nothing but amazing, but I can’t—”

  He cut her off, turning to glare at Nate. “You shouldn’t be here.” Oscar’s tone was only getting sharper. “You had your chance, and you blew it!”

  Nate’s face flashed with remorse, but his voice remained firm. “I had to come. I know it’s selfish on my part, and I’m sorry if it hurts you, but she has to know how I feel.”

  “Well you’re too late.” Oscar lifted his chin. “I’ve just asked Sally to marry me and she was about to say yes.”

  Sally stiffened, wrenching out of his grasp. “Actually, Oscar, I was about to say no. I can’t marry you, because it wouldn’t be fair. I love Nate.” She turned to smile at the man who had just bared his heart to her. “I don’t think I could stop even if I wanted to. You have my heart, always.”

  Nate closed his eyes, placing a hand over his chest as if the weight he’d been carrying for centuries was finally lifting free.

  With a soft smile, he opened his eyes and took a step toward her, but then quickly jerked to a stop. His blue eyes flashed with surprise as he reached for his gun.

  Why his gun? What was happen—?

  A shot rang out beside Sally and she screamed.

  “You’re not fucking up my plans!” Oscar shouted.

  Nate’s body jerked backward as the bullet hit his chest.

  “Nate!” The word tore out of her soul.

  Horror froze her as Nate’s head cracked against his bike, his body slumping to the dirt like a misused rag doll.

  “No!” she hollered, rushing forward. Her steps faltered as Oscar jerked her back against him. “Let me go!” She fought hard to get free, desperate to reach Nate.