All For You: Halfway ThereBuckhorn Ever AfterThe One You WantOne Perfect Night

by Susan Mallery

  “Tomorrow?” She didn’t plan to see anyone except Amber as she handed over the cat. Oh, God, the cat. It struck Nadine then. She looked at Louie and hugged him tighter.

  She was going to miss him so much.

  “Yeah, I’ll be at the lake, too. Uncle Jordan’s coming over to do a routine check on all the animals. That’s why Louie needs to be there then.” He chucked her under her chin. “Thanks for helping out, Nadine. I’m sure Shohn appreciates it.”

  Numb, Nadine stood there staring as Garrett took his sexy self out to his truck, got in and drove away from the lot. Wherever Jordan went, Georgia followed. And if Jordan would be there as a vet checking on the animals, then more than half the blasted family would probably show up since many of them had pets of their own.

  Louie rubbed his face against her chin and purred some more.

  She readjusted the old cat, hugging him like a baby. “Oh, Louie, what have I gotten into?”

  He didn’t have any answers, but he did fall asleep on her shoulder.

  And Nadine, the sap, held him like that for more than an hour. After tomorrow, who knew when she’d ever get to see him again?

  * * *

  SHOHN WAS SURPRISED by the arrangements Garrett had made, but he wouldn’t complain about getting to see Nadine. She’d been pretty strict about keeping their relationship private, so he was both pleased and surprised that she’d agreed to bring the cat to him.

  After spending too many hours scouring the park, backtracking everywhere the ladies had been while also fending off their collective advances, he’d known it was too late to call her. He’d have called her first thing this morning, but he’d slept through his alarm and since he knew he’d see her, anyway, he figured he’d just talk with her in person.

  When she pulled up a little before 10:00 a.m., pleasure started a slow pulse beat inside him, spreading out until he was grinning for no damn reason at all. She made him happy without even trying. Hopefully soon he’d be able to show her off instead of keeping to her rules of privacy.

  Anticipating talking to her, touching her, he walked across the crowded yard to where she’d parked her car. Much of his family was around. And why not? It was a gorgeous Saturday with plenty of sunshine. A perfect day for family to gather on the lake.

  Amber got to Nadine before he could. Talking ninety miles a minute, she took Louie’s carrier and led Nadine to the house.

  She didn’t want anyone to know they were involved, so he couldn’t very well move in on her without rousing suspicion. Instead, he took up a spot on the porch and looked around at his family.

  Jordan was out in the yard with a few dogs. One was a rescue that Gabe had taken in. The dog was still shy, but getting used to the chaos of all the other animals.

  Lisa stood under the shade of a tree, talking on her cell phone. Business no doubt. She worked too much, but seemed to enjoy it.

  Adam tossed a football with Casey’s son Bronx, but when Kady showed up with a shapely friend, he paused to investigate and the ball hit in him the head. Bronx thought that was hilarious—and so did Shohn.

  He watched Adam pretend to stagger until Bronx tackled him. Kady rolled her eyes, but her friend looked plenty impressed, especially when Adam threw Bronx over his shoulder in a fireman-carry and started in her direction.

  Before Nadine, Shohn might have joined Adam in being interested. The girl cousins often brought their friends around, and usually the single guys made them feel most welcome.

  But now all Shohn cared about was seeing Nadine. Where the hell was she? Whistling, he waited some more, but when Nadine didn’t come back out, he gave up and went in to look for her.

  Amber was in the kitchen with Morgan and Misty. He didn’t see Nadine or Louie. Hedging a little, he asked, “Where’s my cat?”

  Her head in the fridge, Amber waved a hand. “He went off with Rookie in the other room. He’s fine.”

  “Thanks.” So where is my woman? No, he couldn’t say that. Nadine didn’t want anyone to know she was his. Shohn leaned against a counter. “So, uh...did Nadine leave?”

  Cola in hand, Amber closed the fridge. “She’s around somewhere.”

  Never one to miss much, Morgan lifted a brow. “Garrett took her out back.”

  Shohn slowly straightened. “Why?”

  Eyeing him, Morgan said, “He wanted to show her a shelter he built for our dogs. He thinks she could use something similar at the Animal House.”

  Jealousy punched Shohn in the gut. What the hell was Garrett thinking?

  Probably the very same stuff he thought when he looked at Nadine, and that burned his ass big-time.

  And why not? His damned cousin thought Nadine was fair game. Which meant it was past time for Shohn to set the record straight to one and all.

  “Whoa.” Morgan caught him before he could stomp off. He glanced at Misty, and then at Gabe’s youngest, Briana. Using his shoulder, he nudged Shohn into the dining room. “So.”

  Anxious to be on his way, Shohn asked, “What?”

  Morgan grinned. “Nadine is the one, huh?”

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “The one you were mooning over a few weeks back?”

  “What? No.” He didn’t moon. How dumb was that? “I just need to...”

  “What? Kick Garrett’s ass? I don’t think so.”

  Impotent frustration bunched Shohn’s shoulders. “I wasn’t going to hit him exactly.”

  He just wanted to make things clear to Garrett, that’s all.

  Morgan shook his head in pity. “You are so transparent. I grew up in a household full of men, and I was sheriff for years. Believe me, I learned to recognize intent. You,” he said, pointing at Shohn, “have got it bad.”

  It, what? He rubbed his neck and admitted, “Maybe.”

  “Does she know?”

  Nadine knew he wanted her, because he’d shown her a dozen different ways and then some. She knew he liked her company because he’d only left her side for work. And she knew he trusted her. Hell, he’d given her half the responsibility for his cat.

  But did she know it was even more than that? Shohn shook his head.

  “Is that a denial or confusion?”

  “Both?”

  Morgan grinned. “Ah, they grow up so fast.”

  Gabe came up behind them. “Who grew up?”

  “Your mini-me.” Morgan slapped Shohn on the back and almost knocked him over.

  “I’m twenty-five, damn it. Long grown.”

  Both Gabe and Morgan laughed.

  Jordan strolled up. “What are we laughing about?”

  “Shohn’s in love.”

  Shohn threw up his hands. “Did I say that?”

  Gabe elbowed Jordan. “I don’t see him denying it, do you?”

  They were all nuts.

  Jordan asked, “Who is she?”

  “Nadine Moest,” Morgan informed them. “That cute girl that runs the Animal House.”

  “I know her,” Jordan said. “She’s terrific with the animals.”

  Gabe gave Shohn a skeptical look. “If she’s with Shohn, then how come I saw her going to the gazebo with Garrett?”

  “Damn it.” Shohn shoved away from his insane uncles and their unique brand of humor. They called after him, offering absurd advice, encouragement and a lot of guffaws.

  As he went into the kitchen, intent on getting through the back door, Amber tried to snag him. “Hold up, Shohn.”

  “Can’t.”

  Her hands on her hips, Amber insisted, “But this is important.”

  “I’ll catch you later,” he promised, and kept going.

  Briana was outside. “Hey, Shohn. Will you open this stupid water bottle for me? The cap is stuck.”

  More li
ke Briana was too tiny and cute to manage it, but whatever. He slowed only long enough to twist the cap and hand it back.

  “Thanks,” she said to his back.

  His mom and a few other female relatives hung around an enormous grill as his dad cooked. Aunt Misty tried to ask him how many hamburgers he wanted, but he pretended not to see her.

  Breathing deeply of air scented by the lake, hot breezes and suntan lotion, he tried to get it together. Birds sang from tree branches overhead. Along the shoreline, a gaggle of geese honked.

  Usually the lake had such a calming effect on him. But not today.

  A few yards from the shore, he saw the new gazebo that Garrett and Gabe had built. Nadine stood there, her head tipped back as she listened to Garrett go on about something.

  Her silky brown hair was in a thick braid down her back. She wore a peach-colored T-shirt that looked like her own skin except for the words across her magnificent breasts that read All My Kids Have Paws. She held her sandals in one hand, her toes curled in the sun-warmed grass and her jean shorts showed off those awesomely shapely legs.

  His heart felt so full, took up so much space, that it made everything else feel uncomfortable—most especially his temper.

  With thunderclouds gathering inside him, Shohn stomped toward them.

  They were involved in deep conversation and didn’t hear his approach. Garrett said, “Why don’t you stay and eat with us?”

  Possessiveness swelled in equal measure to his heart.

  Nadine shook her head. “Thank you, but I can’t. I need to get going.”

  Without first speaking to him? No way. Shohn stepped up to them, his eyes narrowed, his attitude mean. He growled with menace. “You haven’t even said hi yet.”

  Garrett eyed him then did a double-take. He almost split his face with his big grin. “Hey, Shohn. Where’ve you been?”

  Before Shohn could answer, Nadine said “Hi” with a distinct lack of emotion, and moved to step around him.

  She was leaving.

  He caught her arm and pulled her back around. “Hold up.”

  She didn’t quite look at him. “I need to get back to Animal House.”

  Teeth locking, he kept hold of her arm. “Two minutes.” He glared at Garrett.

  That knucklehead held up his hands and backed up two paces. “Hey, I’m not arguing with you. Have at it.” He even held open the door to the gazebo. “For some privacy?”

  Shit. Shohn looked up and saw half the damn family peering down the hill at him. Amber stood in front, smiling in smug satisfaction.

  “Yeah, okay.” Grudgingly he told Garrett, “Thanks.”

  Nadine dug in her heels. “Don’t I get a say in this?”

  “No.” He leaned close. “You have a bug up your butt about something—”

  Nadine gasped theatrically.

  “—and I have no idea why. But I’m smoldering with...well...” He glared at Garrett then snarled, “With stuff better discussed in private, damn it!”

  Rigid, her mouth turned down in mulish displeasure, she flipped her braid over her shoulder and stomped into the gazebo.

  Garrett whistled, gave Shohn a bow and walked away.

  One breath didn’t help, so he tried a second that still had no effect. Refusing to look back at his family, Shohn opened the gazebo door and stepped in.

  It was dim inside, the air thick and humid. Proving there’d been some swimming or skiing earlier, wet trunks hung from a few pegs, with one tiny bikini in the mix. Probably Amber’s. Gabe went apoplectic if his daughters wore anything—in front of him—other than a one-piece. Morgan had tried to enforce that rule with Amber, but she’d only laughed at him.

  “You could take inventory of wet suits without me.”

  Shohn turned to find Nadine behind him, her arms crossed under her breasts, her glittering eyes bright in the shadows.

  Damn it, he’d missed her last night. So much. And here she was, all put out because he wanted to talk to her. “What were you doing with Garrett?”

  “Mostly trying to get away, but he can be persistent.”

  Shohn ran a hand over the back of his neck. “Want me to talk to him?”

  She laughed without humor. “No, thank you.”

  “What is wrong with you?” He stepped closer. “Okay, so you didn’t want anyone to know we’re seeing each other. I get that. But you’re here.”

  “Only to drop off...Louie.”

  Had her voice just broken? Shohn bent to try to see her face, but she turned away. “Nadine?”

  She shook her head.

  Reaching for her shoulders, he asked gently, “What’s wrong?”

  As if the whole world could see them, she jumped away from his hold. “Don’t.”

  Okay, now that pissed him off. “Don’t what? Touch you? No one can see us.” But knowing his family, they had a pretty good idea of what was happening. Or at least, what Shohn wanted to happen.

  “I’m going to miss Louie.” She sniffed, balled her little hands into fists and started to rush from the gazebo.

  Shohn blocked her. “What the hell, Nadine? You’ll see him again.”

  “Oh, no, no I will not.” She turned on him, her upset morphing into fury. “That deal is done.”

  “What deal?”

  “Me babysitting so you can...can...”

  His brows snapped down and his voice rose. “Can what?” What the hell was she accusing him of?

  “Last night,” she said with a curled lip. “You were at the park with three women.”

  “Yeah, till damn near midnight. So?”

  Gasping, she said with incredulity, “And you expect to just waltz back in here?”

  “Here, in the gazebo?”

  “No!” She turned then turned again to come full circle. “Here, with me.”

  “Well, first off, I didn’t waltz, damn it. I walked like I always walk—” But maybe with a little more of a stomp. “And yeah, I didn’t expect you to be the jealous type.”

  She huffed. “I’m leaving.”

  “No.”

  “No?”

  Damn, everyone on the lake had probably heard that one word. “Not until you explain what’s going on.”

  “You want the nitty-gritty? You want me to spell it out?”

  Since he was totally lost... “Yeah.”

  “Fine! You can’t two-time me.”

  That sounded so absurd, Shohn gave a slow grin. “You’re kidding, right?”

  Now she did storm away. Or at least she tried. Stunned, Shohn pulled her right back around again. “You’re not kidding.”

  Shoving up to her tiptoes, she said into his face, “You. Were with. Another. Woman!”

  “Not with her, just helping her out.” Shohn took a step closer still and replied with just as much ferocity. “Jesus, Nadine, I haven’t wanted another woman since that first time we kissed, I’ve spent every available minute with you, and I sure as hell wouldn’t abandon my cat at your place for a casual hookup!”

  To his surprise, Nadine thought about it then gave a demure shrug. “Yeah, I sort of knew that. You’ve been so kind to Louie.”

  His eyes flared. “Out of everything I just said that’s what you heard?” He gripped her shoulders, keeping her close. “Forget the cat. I told you that I don’t want any other woman. Just you.”

  “Seriously?”

  He threw up his hands.

  “But you carry a spare set of clothes and an overnight kit—”

  “In case I get stuck in the woods. Not because I sleep with every woman I meet.”

  She raised a brow in disbelief.

  “Now that’s just annoying. I don’t lie, damn it. And for your information, I don’t invite women back to my apartment, either.�
��

  “You invited me.”

  “Because you’re different.”

  She frowned at him for shouting. “But Garrett said...”

  “What? That the lady was flirting with me? She was.”

  Nadine crossed her arms. “So why didn’t you set her straight?”

  “I tried, but Garrett was there and you’re the one who doesn’t want anyone else to know we’re a couple.”

  In a very small voice, she said, “We’re a couple?”

  In his mind they were. “I’m damn straight not going to share you, so if that’s what you’re thinking, forget it.”

  She licked her bottom lip and, gazing up at him, touched a hand to his chest. “Fine. I’m not sharing, either, then.”

  “Fine. Didn’t ask you to. And I’ll repeat it again—I don’t want anyone else!”

  Amber stuck her head in, her grin victorious. “You two have rather carrying voices.”

  Garrett crowded in behind her, almost knocking her over. “And seriously, Nadine, he wasn’t flirting back. In fact, I wondered why he wasn’t since the lady looked so...” His gaze swept over to his sister and then back to Nadine. “Appealing.”

  “You were going to say something obnoxious like “‘doable,’ weren’t you?” Amber shouldered him aside. “I’m not ten, Garrett, I can hear the big-boy talk.”

  Making a face, Garrett grumbled, “Well, I don’t want to use it around you, okay?” Louie poked his head in between them then strolled in as if he owned the place. He wound around Shohn’s legs before doing the same to Nadine.

  Dismissing her brother, Amber turned back to Shohn and Nadine and announced without apology, “I sort of manipulated you here.”

  “And I did my part to keep you here,” Garrett said. “So Shohn, get that blood out of your eyes. No reason to come after me because I wasn’t going after her.” He nodded at Nadine. “Amber clued me in before she got here this morning.”

  “See,” Amber said. “Am I your favorite cousin or what?”

  After confessing their conspiracy, Amber and Garrett waited as if expecting accolades. Shohn stared at them both, almost heaving with restraint. “Get out.”

  Amber saluted him as she turned to leave the gazebo. Garrett winked.