by Jane Jamison
Cookie waited for her father’s dismissal then took off in the other direction. Marc and his brothers stayed where they were. Once Doug was out of hearing, Marc stepped closer.
“He would’ve hit her again if I hadn’t stopped him.”
Her father turned and came back up the stairs before confronting Marc again. “We’ll never know, will we? All I have are the facts as you’ve both told me, and since you’ve admitted to attacking him, my hands are tied. You should’ve handled it better than using your fists.”
“Strictly speaking, it was more of a body slam than a punch.”
She couldn’t stop the giggle that erupted. Her father, however, didn’t appreciate Hank’s brand of humor.
He gave Hank a look Tatum called his did-you-really-say-what-you-just-said? look. She’d seen that same intense, questioning glare many times in her life.
“I hope it was worth the trouble, Marc.”
Marc started to respond until Adam put a hand on his shoulder. “Easy. Take what’s coming and roll with it.”
She’d never interfered with her father in how he handled the staff, so she surprised herself and her father when she spoke up in Marc’s defense. “I’m sure he wouldn’t have done what he did if hadn’t thought that Stacy was in danger.”
Marc’s gaze locked onto hers. She smiled, offering him more support. A tingle swept over her and she could feel the rhythm of her heart against her chest even as drawing a breath of air grew more difficult. The hairs on her arms stood on end as though electrified by the Shelton brothers’ presence. Adam and Hank looked at her, then Adam nudged his brother and said something too soft for her to hear.
Her father arched an eyebrow in her direction. “My daughter, Tatum, must think you’re innocent. But then she hasn’t had much experience in running a ranch.”
Her father had said it as nicely as he could, but he’d put her in her place just the same. She lowered her gaze to study the boards in the porch.
“Marc, you and your brothers haven’t worked for me very long, so I’m going to assume your lack of experience is in part to blame for you resolving the situation with your hands instead of with your head. I’m going to take that, and my daughter’s opinion, into consideration. Count yourself lucky because, otherwise, you’d find yourself out of a job right now.”
She dared to lift her head and give her father a smile of thanks. Marc opened his mouth to speak then closed it as though he’d thought better of it. Instead, he centered his attention on her. Heat swarmed like bees in flight from her pussy, and, all at once, she couldn’t breathe. Having all three men stare at her was almost more than she could handle.
What was it about them that tore her breath away and turned her mind to mush?
“I’m going to restrict you to the barn until further notice. You can stay in the room at the rear. This will be without pay, since you won’t be handling your job.” Her father raised his hand, refusing to hear any arguments. “I’m only doing it until Mr. Harmon calms the hell down. Seeing you walking about the place will only serve to make him angrier, and I can’t afford a lawsuit. So, until further word, you’ll stay in the room or inside the barn and not set a foot anywhere else on the property.”
Marc nodded, but the fury in his face was bare and raw. His brothers didn’t appear any happier, but they kept their mouths closed, too.
Her father pivoted to enter the house then abruptly turned back. “Next time, if you plan on playing knight in shining armor to a damsel in distress, be sure you knock him out cold. Might as well get your money’s worth.”
* * * *
Even after her father’s good humor had returned and they’d shared dinner in the cozy kitchen, Tatum couldn’t put Stacy out of her mind. Or at least whenever she wasn’t fantasizing about the Shelton brothers. After dinner, they washed the dishes then her father retired to his study with Tatum following. She’d done the same thing throughout her life, and he knew it was a signal that she wanted to talk.
She paused at the door as he settled into the oversized leather chair. He’d grown old in that chair, turning from a black-haired, middle-aged man to one with graying temples and lines cracking his face. The good thing was that the laugh lines on his face were as plentiful as the worry lines. They’d had a lot of discussions, some good, some bad, in that room. It was in the study that she’d told her father about her crush on her first-grade teacher, Mr. Warren. She’d been in his study when she’d sat on his lap and cried like a baby when her prom date had stood her up, something she hadn’t wanted to believe until her friend had finally called to say he’d only asked her out as a joke. And she had been standing next to his desk when her father told her that her mother was leaving them and moving to Dallas.
“Are you here to argue for Marc Shelton?” Her father lit the pipe he only smoked while in his study. Although her mother hadn’t returned to the ranch since she’d left that awful day, he still respected her ban on smoking elsewhere in the house.
“You make it sound like he’s going to the gallows in the morning.” She earned a chuckle. Without anyone else around, she could be herself and speak her mind to her father. But in public, in front of others, she’d hold her tongue. Whether that was because of the respect she held for him or because of a lack of confidence didn’t matter. That was just the way she was.
“Hardly. The room in the back of the barn is comfortable. The only thing he lacks is a television set, a recliner, and a six-pack of beer. And my guess is that his brothers can sneak him the beer. It’s like he’s getting a minivacation. Hell, I’d trade places with him right about now.”
“A minivacation without pay.”
He sighed and waited for her to sit in the chair in front of the desk. “What’s really on your mind, Tater?”
Tater was the nickname he’d given her. She hated it when anyone else used the name, but when her father said it she didn’t think of herself as shaped like a potato. She could always hear the love in his voice whenever he said it.
“I’m worried about Doug Harmon’s girlfriend, Stacy. A blind man can see she’s intimidated by him. Isn’t there anything we can do to help her?”
He blew a ring of smoke, and she watched it float to the exposed beams in the ceiling. “I don’t know what we could do. Getting involved between a man and his woman is a risky business. Besides, they’ll be leaving in a few days. At least I hope so, now that I’m footing their bill.”
She rose and crossed to the window. The moon was rising quickly in the sky, lighting the land she loved. She could see the lights in the bunkhouse where Adam and Hank slept, along with the other ranch hands. Shifting her gaze to the barn, she hoped to see a light showing that Marc was inside, but the barn was dark.
“What if I talked to her?”
His silence said more than his words would. “I think you’re beating a dead horse, but I know you well enough. Once you get something in your craw, you won’t let it go until you do it. So, go ahead, but stay away from Harmon. And try to not get too involved or bring the ranch into it. We can’t afford any trouble right now with business slacking off.”
“I won’t.”
“Tatum?”
“Yeah?” She gazed into the eyes of the first man she’d ever loved and would always love.
He reached into his left drawer and pulled out a flashlight. “Give ’em hell, girl.”
She grinned, although they both knew she was too shy to cause much of a problem. “Sure. After all, I am Roy Griffin’s daughter.”
She spun on her heel and hurried from the room, calling her thanks over her shoulder. After checking the computer’s guest registry and finding out which cabin Doug and Stacy were in, she took a moment to think about what she’d say. Nothing much came to her, so she decided she’d just have to wing it.
She rushed out the front door, down the porch steps, and tried to keep from running to Cabin B. Once there, she took a deep breath and knocked. Maybe if she got lucky, Doug wouldn’t answer.
; Luck was with her when Stacy opened the door. The fresh bruises on Stacy’s face made her hesitate as she swallowed back an anger that was followed by a wave of guilt. Maybe if she’d tried to help her earlier, then Stacy wouldn’t have suffered through more abuse.
“Hi, Stacy. I’m Tatum Griffin, the owner’s daughter. Would you like to take a walk with me?” She hurried on when Stacy opened her mouth to refuse. “I just got back from a trip, and, well, there aren’t many girls our age around the ranch. I thought it might be nice to talk. I could use some girl talk.”
“I don’t—”
“Great. Come on.” She grabbed Stacy’s hand and pulled her outside.
Chapter Three
Tatum tugged Stacy along with her as she led them away from Cabin B. She couldn’t afford to have Doug find them together. He’d blow his stack then run and complain to her father and cause even more trouble.
Taking the girl to one of the benches scattered around the property, she made sure that they were at least partially hidden behind a tree. Checking to see if anyone else was around, she took hold of Stacy’s hands and faced her.
“Stacy, I know what you’re going through.”
Her eyes grew wild as fear flashed across her face. “I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”
She tried to stand, but Tatum pulled her back down. “Look, I’m not the most outgoing girl in the world, and a lot of people intimidate me. But at least I know better than to hook up with someone like Doug.”
A hurt expression washed over Stacy’s face. “I’m not as brave as you. Let go. I need to be there when Doug gets back.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to criticize you. You know you don’t deserve to be treated that way, don’t you? No one does. And if you’ll let me, I’ll do whatever I can to help.”
Stacy appeared to lose all her strength as she slumped over and dropped her head. Her hair fell in long, stringy waves in front of her face. “That man, Marc, he tried to help, too. But it didn’t matter. If someone as strong as him tried and failed, no one else can help me, either. Doug’s too big, too strong, and too mean.”
“If we all stick together, we can do it. Me, you, and my father. Maybe the Shelton brothers still. There’s no way Doug can get through all of us.”
“I can’t risk making him mad again. When he gets mad, he loses control.”
“Like he did today? Or does it get worse when you’re alone with him?” She reached out to touch a black-and-blue patch on her swollen cheek. “Did he hit you again when you got back to the cabin?”
Stacy shook her head. “I–I can’t talk about it. Not with anyone.”
“Yes, you can, and you should.” She took a breath to steady her nerves and backed off, not wanting to push Stacy away. “Do you have anyone you can call? Family? A good friend?”
Stacy shook her head, the sadness in her eyes overwhelming Tatum and breaking her heart. She had a difficult time being confident, too, especially around handsome men like the Shelton brothers. But at least she had her father, along with a few close friends. Stacy seemed all alone in the world. No wonder she didn’t want to lose Doug. Facing the unknown, especially alone, was sometimes more frightening than staying in a bad situation.
“Okay. That’s not a problem. I tell you what. Let’s go get your things and move you out of the cabin. You can leave him a note telling him that you’re leaving him for good.”
Stacy gasped and shook her again, more vigorously than before. “I couldn’t. He’d get really angry at me.”
Although she could hear her father’s words warning her to keep the ranch out of it, she pushed ahead, knowing her father would want to help once Stacy took the initiative to leave. “Don’t worry about him. We’ll keep you safe. In the meantime, until you can figure out what you want to do and where you want to go, you can stay at the main house. I’ll help you sort everything out. But the most important thing is to leave Doug before he has a chance to hurt you again. Maybe worse than he ever has.”
Stacy jerked her head up. “No. I can’t do that.” She yanked her hands out of Tatum’s and stood up, fisting them at her sides. “Please, just leave me alone.”
“But, Stacy, I promise it’ll be all right. Just let us help you.”
Tears streamed down her face as Stacy shook her head then dashed away. Tatum jumped to her feet and started after her but came to a stop as the futility of it hit her. Unless Stacy wanted to take the chance, she’d never be able to help her.
* * * *
Oh, my God.
Tatum’s gaze slid down Marc’s body, and her mouth grew dry. He was naked from the waist up and facing away from her. His back was as wide as the Rocky Mountains and just as hard. Tanned, with the tops of his shoulders red from more sun, he should’ve been plastered on the side of a billboard. Muscles rippled with every movement of his arms. His broad shoulders tapered to his lean waist and round, firm buttocks she ached to squeeze. The tingle she’d experienced before rolled over her skin, awakening every nerve. She could’ve stayed frozen, admiring him forever, and might have if he hadn’t turned around.
“Yeah?”
Whoa.
The only thing better than his back was his front. His physique was like a gladiator, with muscle after muscle forming a rock-solid man. A sprinkling of dark hair drew her attention between his pecs, down his flat stomach, then disappeared below the low-slung waist of his jeans. As though teasing her, his jeans dipped in the front, enticing her to pull them away from his crotch to see what had formed the tent in the material.
She bit the inside of her cheek and forced her gaze back to his face. But oh, how she’d love to see what was under the denim!
What’d he say? “I’m sorry?”
Aware that he was studying her, she whipped off her big glasses and tucked them into the pocket of her sundress. Why hadn’t she remembered to take them off before coming into the barn? She only really needed them for reading, and it wasn’t like she was going to read him a bedtime story. Putting a tremulous smile on her face, she held up the tray of food and tried not to let her shaking hands rattle the glass of tea.
“Do you need something?”
I need you!
“Um, yeah.”
He skimmed his gaze over her, making her wish she’d changed her clothes. If she could’ve found the courage, she’d would’ve taken off the cute sundress and replaced it with a halter top and Daisy Duke shorts. But she’d never had enough courage to even buy clothes like that.
“Okay.” The corners of his mouth turned up. “What do you need?”
Didn’t you hear me? I need you.
His dark chocolate eyes made her want to melt. If a look could do that, what would it feel like to have his hands on her? She grew warm thinking about it. She blinked and looked harder. Had his eyes grown lighter in color? Were there bits of amber in them?
“I, um, wasn’t sure if you’d gotten to eat dinner before coming here.” It was late for a meal, but she hadn’t come up with any other excuse to check on him. She was proud of herself for having the nerve to even come.
“Yeah, I did. But thanks anyway.” He crossed his arms over his chest, and his muscles drew her attention again, rippling like waves over a mighty ocean.
“Oh. Okay.” What a stupid idea. I should’ve known he’d have already eaten. What did I think he was going to do? Eat two dinners?
She started to leave, but he was up close and personal before she knew it. How did he move so fast?
“Stay. I can always eat the sandwich for a snack later. Your father told me to stick to the barn, but he didn’t say anything about starving me.”
He took the tray from her, turning around for a moment. Seeing the wide expanse of his back again had her creaming her panties. She’d always loved a man with a great back, but she’d never been as close to one as good as his.
He placed the tray on the nearby desk instead of the wooden table in the center of the small room. “Come. Sit and talk. Other than my brot
hers, I haven’t talked to anyone since we got back.” His mouth was full without being too feminine. The corners twitched upward into a half smile. “We haven’t officially met. You’re Tatum Griffin, Roy’s daughter, right?”
He pulled out a chair for her then moved his chair closer to hers. Her heart beat even faster and her pulse pounded in her ears. If she was like this just by getting within two feet of him, what would she be like if he touched her? She darted her gaze to his strong jawline and squirmed in her chair. She wanted to touch him and wanted him to touch her. But the likelihood of someone who looked like him wanting her was somewhere between In Your Dreams and Fat Chance.
“Why haven’t I seen you before today?”
She licked her lips then blushed under his intense scrutiny. Butterflies took flight in her stomach. “Uh, I was visiting my mother in Dallas for the past couple of months.”
“That explains it.” His eyes dove into her as though searching for buried gold. “I like your dress.”
She hadn’t expected a compliment. Men like him never complimented girls like her unless they were being polite. Was he sincere or was he brownnosing the boss’s daughter? She had to know. “Really?”
“Yeah. I’ve always liked a woman in one of those strappy dresses.”
She smiled and got a smile from him. “Sundress.”
“What?”
“It’s a sundress.”
“Oh.” His dark eyes sparkled. “Not every woman can wear a…sundress. You’ve got to have a good body to pull it off.”
Was he teasing her? Was she supposed to give him a compliment in return? But all she could think to say was “you make me hot.” No way could she ever say that out loud.
“It’s sexy when the straps fall down.”
She dragged air in. Did he mean that she was sexy? Or most women who wore sundresses?
“Are you okay?”
She could almost feel the rise and fall of his chest as she mentally skimmed her hands over it. If she didn’t talk about something else, she’d either have to leave or beg him to kiss her. “Uh, I don’t think what happened was fair.”