Back to Buckhorn

by Lori Foster

  Instead, for one reason or another, she’d seen Garrett almost every day. The town was small, so every time she turned around she ran in to him.

  Each and every time he stopped to talk with her.

  Each and every time her infatuation with him grew.

  Never mind that he was a big, sexy hunk with an easy smile and a hero’s personality. He was...well, everything else, too. Friendly, respectable, admired, liked—not just by her, but apparently everyone else, as well.

  A few times she’d seen him at his sister’s bookstore when Amber invited her for lunch. Amber didn’t close the shop during her visit, but it was a slower time for her and few people stopped in.

  Yet somehow, each time, Garrett showed up.

  Amber also took her to dinner—at Nadine’s house, with Shohn and Adam and some of the other cousins there, again, including Garrett. She loved Nadine’s pet hotel, and she really enjoyed seeing Nadine and Shohn interact.

  They all had pets, and all swore they’d be giving her plenty of business once she opened her grooming salon.

  It seemed to Zoey that Amber’s family went out of their way to make her feel welcome. It was so relaxing being with them, because she didn’t have to worry about running into someone who might still blame her for what had happened so long ago.

  She knew those people still existed in the town, just as she knew Amber’s family had never been part of the hate crowd.

  Because the invites always included Garrett, Zoey almost felt like Amber was playing matchmaker, but if so, Zoey enjoyed her efforts. It had given her a chance to see Garrett with his family, how he played with the animals, helped out in the kitchen, thanked his sister for a burger, carried Nadine a drink.

  So attentive—to everyone.

  She’d also run in to Garrett at the hardware store when she bought a grill and needed supplies to fix up the house she’d bought. He’d chatted with her, lingering, making her self-conscious over her paint-stained T-shirt and ragged jeans—not that he’d been anything but pleasant.

  The owner of the hardware store had slid many suspicious glances her way, but after Garrett came in, he spent his time bragging about Garrett’s handyman skills, claiming he’d learned from his uncle Gabe. The owner’s wife smiled at him as if he were her own son. They’d talked for maybe twenty minutes, and every minute or so someone new greeted him, including several women. But he hadn’t been drawn away. She figured that was likely why the women gave her dirty looks, and not the incident from her youth.

  So far, she’d run in to him at the grocery, at the ice-cream shop, the gas station and Amber’s bookstore. She’d even seen him during one of her many visits to the hospital. Her mother was doing better, but on top of the broken ribs her blood pressure was high and the pneumonia really left her exhausted. Zoey did her best to make her more comfortable, telling her over and over how much fun they’d have once she was well again.

  Somehow, she’d make it so.

  Garrett was there checking on an older woman who’d almost set her house on fire when she forgot her dinner in the oven. She’d inhaled a lot of smoke, but would be fine.

  Such a great guy—and tonight she’d have him all alone, with the opportunity to talk beyond polite pleasantries.

  Maybe he’d give her some tips on fixing up her old house, given the amazing job he’d done to his own.

  Thanks to a recommendation from Amber, she’d bought the furnished two-story “fixer-upper” sight unseen. And she had no regrets. The second she’d walked across the squeaky wood floors, touched the crystal doorknobs, admired the stained-glass window in the stairwell, she’d fallen madly in love.

  The aged, scarred and worn furniture still had charm. Everything—the house and the furnishings—needed a ton of work to spruce it up, and she looked forward to tackling it all. On top of pleasing her aesthetically, it also had a huge sunroom in the back that led to a fenced yard, making it practical for her animal-grooming business.

  And when her mother was ready, the spare bedroom with a bathroom just across the hall would work out perfectly. After she’d set up her own bedroom, Zoey had worked on the guestroom, tearing out old wallpaper, using Spackle on the walls where needed and adding fresh paint. She’d decorated with colorful throw rugs, fresh bedding and privacy curtains at the windows.

  Best of all, Zoey thought as she opened the gate at the farthest part of the property, the land connected to the lake. She could already smell the water, and filled her lungs with the fresh scent. After moving away, she’d missed swimming, boating, just lazing in the sunshine.

  It had taken all of her savings to move back and set up shop here, but so far she was on track to open her business in a few more weeks, and then, with determination, she’d make it all work.

  Laying her cell phone, towel and sunglasses in the shade of a tree, she walked out on the rickety dock, tested the water, found it nicely tepid and went down the ladder. Until she knew the depth, she didn’t trust diving in.

  After working on the house all morning and afternoon, scrubbing walls and floors, cleaning closets, painting trim and making repairs, she needed to cool off and relax her aching muscles.

  Along the shoreline, frogs protested, splashing as they jumped in. Once in, she closed her eyes, held her breath and submerged herself in the green water, going down as far as she could to try to reach bottom.

  She came up for air, pleased that it was so deep. The wide cove would accommodate a boat, but with a farmer on one side of her, and woods on the other, the area was quiet and peaceful.

  Going to her back, she hooked one foot through the ladder and floated, letting the hot sunshine caress her mostly bare body. How long she stayed like that, she couldn’t say, but somewhere along the way exhaustion took over and she might have even dozed.

  A trickle of cold water on her belly brought her jerking upright with a gasp. She found Garrett crouched down at the end of the dock, his wrists hanging loosely over his knees, an icy bottle of water dangling in one hand. He wore a black cowboy hat tipped back, and a very intent look on his face.

  Her foot was still caught in the ladder, leaving her awkwardly thrashing until she freed herself. She went under again twice before finally getting upright. Breaking the surface of the lake, she slicked her hair back and stared up at him.

  Mirrored sunglasses kept her from seeing his eyes, but somehow she just knew he was looking at her body, not her face.

  “Wanna tell me why you had yourself all hog-tied in the ladder?”

  “To keep from floating away.”

  Voice low, he murmured, “Guess it worked then, huh?”

  “Ummm...” Legs kicking as she dog-paddled in place, she squinted her eyes against the glaring sunlight. “What are you doing here?” He hadn’t been to her house before.

  “Besides taking in the view?”

  “Were you?”

  “Yeah. For a while now.”

  Her stomach bottomed out. How long had he been there? Had she looked at all appealing...or like a drowned rat? After seeing him so often in town, you’d think she’d be used to his impact.

  Not so. He got close, and she went breathless, became anxious and chatty—just as she had in high school.

  “Yeah.” She cleared her throat. “Besides that.”

  Straightening, he set the water bottle aside, went for her towel and returned. “Come on out and we’ll talk about it.”

  Zoey blinked up at him.

  He stood right there, her towel hanging in his big hand, watching her. And waiting.

  Shoot. “I had two suits to choose from,” she told him. “A nice, modest one-piece and a bikini. I figured on being alone, so I chose the bikini. Now, though, with you here, I almost feel naked.”

  “Because you almost are.” Unsmiling, Garrett stared down at her...or at least, she assumed
he did. Those damned sunglasses hid so much.

  Did he look flushed?

  She chewed her lip, nodded at his shirt and said, “You could skin down and join me instead.” As soon as she said it, her stomach tightened more. Would he? Oh, she hoped so.

  The barest of smiles teased his mouth. “You trying to get me out of my pants, Zoey?”

  What woman wouldn’t? She grabbed the ladder for support. “You look—” hot “—too warm.”

  His smile expanded. “That might have more to do with you in that little bit of nothing, than the summer sun.”

  Her mouth opened, but nothing came out.

  “Wish I had more time today, because I think we’d both enjoy it,” he continued.

  She knew she would.

  “Why don’t we make that another date? Maybe for my next day off?”

  So...he considered dinner tonight an actual date? Not just a way for her to thank him? “Okay.”

  He checked his watch. “I gotta get back to work soon.”

  A hint for her to hightail it out of the water. “Right.” Besides the hat, he wore a dark blue T-shirt with the fire station logo over the left side, matching uniform pants and a thick black belt with a pager attached to it. It wasn’t a uniform, but on Garrett, it had the same effect.

  Dropping the towel, he crouched down again and stretched his right hand down to her. “Up and out with you.”

  Leaving her no choice, she reached up and took his hand. He lifted her, caught her other wrist, too, before she could climb the ladder, and literally hauled her out and onto the dock.

  Lake water pooled on the weathered boards below her feet and dripped from her hair, down her arms, her chest, her legs. Uncertain what to do, she stood there beneath the sweltering sunshine in an agony of expectation. When Garrett said nothing, did nothing except breathe deeper and look at her, she decided it might be best if she covered up.

  He circumvented her effort to reach for the towel.

  “I’ve got it.” Keeping his attention on her, he absently, blindly, bent and snagged her towel before she could.

  She waited, but he didn’t offer it to her.

  Fighting the urge to cross her arms over her chest, Zoey shifted from one foot to the other. Her dark suit wasn’t different from what most women wore on the lake. It might even be less revealing than many.

  So then why did he stare at her as if he’d never seen anything like it before?

  “How long were you in there?” he asked, his voice a little rough.

  She had no idea. “What time is it?”

  “Three-thirty.”

  “Oh.” She winced. They were supposed to do dinner in two and a half hours and here she was, water-logged. “Over an hour I guess.”

  Keeping the towel in one fist, he reached out with the other hand and touched her shoulder, across her collarbone.

  That touch made her shiver in reaction.

  “You’re turning pink. Did you put on sunscreen?”

  By dinner she might be even pinker. Her plan had been to cool off, then get in the shade to relax for a bit before preparing for their date. But she didn’t want to admit to him that she’d forgotten the sunscreen, or that she’d been so tired she’d all but passed out in the water. “Why did you say you’re here?”

  There came that suggestive smile again. “I hadn’t yet.” He moved closer and draped the towel around her shoulders.

  Which meant his arms went around her, too.

  Standing near enough that she felt the heat of his body, he held the towel closed under her chin. “I need to change our dinner plans.”

  Well, darn. Hoping to hide her disappointment, she nodded. “Okay.” Would he have a good reason to cancel...or had he just changed his mind? “I understand.”

  “Don’t know how you could since I haven’t yet explained.”

  She couldn’t think with him so close, his warm hands resting casually above her breasts. “Sorry. I’m listening.” And melting.

  Silence ticked by. “Do I make you nervous, Zoey?”

  She shook her head hard in denial and said, “Yes.”

  Laughing, he released the towel and smoothed her wet hair over her shoulders. “Real clear, honey.”

  Honey?

  Finally, his smiled crooked, he gave her some space.

  She almost collapsed with the relief of pent-up tension.

  Standing a few feet from her, he asked, “Better?”

  Heck no. She liked having him close. It was just that close equaled weak-kneed.

  Should she admit to being flustered by him when he clearly didn’t have the same problem?

  “Requires some thought, does it?”

  “You don’t make me nervous, really, I mean, not usually. But here like this—”

  “With you showing all that sexy skin?”

  “I...ah...” No way could she agree, because that would sound like she thought she was sexy. “I wasn’t expecting to see anyone.”

  “Can’t say I’m sorry I dropped in.”

  That dark, carnal tone made her toes curl against the rough boards of the dock. “I haven’t been in a lake since I moved away. I missed it.”

  “It’s good to have you back.”

  Like anyone had missed her? Not likely. “If you say so.”

  He removed the hat, then pushed the sunglasses up to the top of his head, and oh, God, that was worse. Sweat dampened the front of his shirt so that the material clung to his chest. The hat left his dark hair more disheveled than usual.

  And his eyes... His eyes could mesmerize, especially with the sun overhead.

  She drew a deep breath and let it out slowly.

  Motioning her closer, he said, “Let’s move to the shade before you get burned worse.”

  “Okay.” She’d follow him anywhere...wait, what? Shaking her head, she muttered, “You’re dangerous.”

  He gave a soft laugh, shook his head and turned to go to shore.

  Zoey quickly readjusted the towel, wrapping it around her body under her arms so that it covered her from chest to midthigh.

  He glanced back, and she gave him a bright smile, quickly following.

  When they reached the makeshift bench just off the dock, in front of a ramshackle shed, he gestured for her to sit, then sat very close beside her.

  He dropped the hat on the ground beside him with the glasses. “I was looking forward to dinner,” he told her. “But I’m going to be tied up til eight now.”

  A hundred thoughts went through her head, and she decided to be straight with him. “You aren’t just dodging me?”

  Quirking a brow, he looked over her bare legs and shook his head. “Now why would I do that?”

  Relieved, she shoulder-bumped him. “So then...you’ll have to eat eventually, right? You could just come by here. I don’t mind eating late.”

  He glanced across the wooded property to her house. “You’re sure?”

  “Actually, I’d love it.” He could come at midnight and she’d enjoy it. Knowing she’d sounded too eager, she added, “I was hoping to get your advice on a few fix-up projects anyway.”

  “Yeah?” He eyed the dock, and then the shed behind them. “You could start down here. I’m surprised either of these is still standing.”

  “I doubt I’ll use the shed for much, and other than worrying for splinters, the dock seems fine.” She had more pressing concerns, but she could explain all that to him later. “What’s your preference for tonight?”

  As he looked her over again, one of his eyebrows went up.

  That heated scrutiny sucked the air out of her lungs. “I’m a good cook,” she blurted. “Name it and I’ll take care of it.” God willing, he wouldn’t choose anything too difficult.

  “You
have a grill?”

  “That’s what I was getting at the hardware store the day we ran in to each other.”

  “The day you wore that messy shirt and had your hair in braids.” He tugged on one dripping hank of hair. “You looked really cute.”

  No way. And here she’d been embarrassed. Feeling her face go hot, she mumbled, “Thanks.”

  “So if we have the grill, how about I bring some steaks? You can fix whatever you want to go with it. I’m not picky.”

  She bent a stern look on him. “This is supposed to be my treat so I can thank you.”

  His attention went to her mouth. “There are other ways you can thank me.”

  Whoa. Just like that, a porno played in her head. “Like...what?”

  “Not what you’re thinking.”

  “Oh.” Disappointment brought her brows down. “How do you know what I’m thinking?”

  Abruptly, he turned away.

  “Garrett?”

  He scrubbed a hand over his face. “I was never going to let you buy dinner.”

  Spine stiffening, she repeated softly, “Let me?”

  Paying no mind to her indignation, he stood and took a step back from her. “Know how you could really thank me?”

  Suspicious, she stood, too—and his attention went back to her mouth.

  Heart thumping, she licked her lips. When he groaned, she bit her lower lip.

  He drew his gaze up to her eyes. “Sorry.” He worked his jaw. “I do get distracted by your mouth.”

  “My mouth?”

  Abruptly he said, “You can thank me by going to the fireman’s fund-raiser with me.”

  That was so far from what she’d expected that she blinked. “Really?”

  “End of the month.”

  Plenty of notice. Would she not see him again until then? Cautiously, she said, “That’s a while off.”

  “I know you’re busy now getting your house set up for your mom.”

  “True.” But that didn’t tell her what she wanted to know. “I had a lot of stuff shipped here, and I’m still unpacking.”

  As if he’d read her thoughts, he said, “My days off vary, but I wouldn’t mind coming by to help you with the house remodeling if you’d like.”