Redemption at Hawk's Landing

by Rita Herron

He’d bulked up, the glasses were gone and so was his stutter.

  “Of course,” she said, finally gathering her wits. “This place looks nice.”

  He shrugged. “I was a biology major, then decided, what the hell, I always liked to cook so I figured I’d open my own place.”

  “It’s done well,” Harrison said. “Just what the town needed.”

  Danny blushed.

  Honey relaxed slightly. The atmosphere was friendlier than the diner where the people had recognized her and hadn’t been welcoming.

  “What can I get you?” Danny asked.

  Harrison ordered a beer and Honey asked for a glass of wine. She needed something to ease the tension from the day. For a moment they discussed what kind of toppings they wanted on their pizza. It seemed surreal, yet normal, almost as if they were on a date.

  But this was not a date, and she couldn’t harbor false fantasies.

  Honey folded the menu and placed it back in the holder on the wall. Harrison did the same, then gripped the beer the waitress delivered and took a sip. His weighted sigh reeked of exhaustion.

  But he was still taking care of her.

  Emotions welled in her throat. No one had ever done that before.

  “How’d it go with the cleaners?” he asked.

  She ran a finger along the stem of her wineglass. “Fine. They should be finished soon.”

  “I’ll check with the lab tomorrow to see if they found any forensics.” He removed his hat and laid it on the bench seat beside him, then raked a hand through his thick, dark hair. His beard stubble and coppery skin made him look so sexy that she had to tear her gaze away.

  “Lucas called,” Harrison said in a gruff voice. “There were two other girls around Chrissy’s age who went missing after she did.”

  Honey gasped softly as the implications set in. “You think the same person took them?”

  “I don’t know, but Lucas and I are investigating the possibility.”

  He fell silent as the pizza arrived, and Honey contemplated the implications of his discovery.

  If he was right, that meant a serial kidnapper/killer had been preying on little girls. A serial criminal who might live in Tumbleweed.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Honey felt as if everyone in the restaurant was looking at her, but when she glanced around, she realized she was being paranoid.

  Old habits died hard.

  Not everyone in Tumbleweed remembered her, especially the younger generation.

  She offered to help pay the bill, but Harrison insisted on taking care of it. Tension knotted her shoulders as they climbed into his SUV.

  It hadn’t occurred to her that staying at Harrison’s might mean his family ranch. “Do you still live at Hawk’s Landing?” she asked. If he did, she’d insist on a motel.

  “Not at the main house,” he said. “We had some cabins built on the property for workers when my dad used to raise cattle, so I moved into one of them for more privacy. Since I became sheriff and my brothers have their own lives and jobs, we got out of the cattle business. We keep a few horses for riding.”

  “Do your brothers still live at home?”

  He shook his head. “Like me, they wanted their own places, so each of us took a cabin. Although Lucas is with the FBI and has a place in San Antonio. Brayden works for a law firm in Austin and has a loft downtown.”

  “And Dexter?”

  “He has a PI office in Tumbleweed and an apartment in Austin, as well.”

  She relaxed slightly, grateful she didn’t have to face Harrison’s family tonight. He turned onto the oak-lined drive into Hawk’s Landing, and Honey’s heart stuttered. She had heard things in town about how beautiful the ranch was but the descriptions didn’t do it justice.

  Acres and acres of plush green grass spread before her. The land was flat at first but gave way to rolling hills leading into the mountains. He drove past the main farmhouse, a sprawling white two-story, showcasing wraparound porches complete with rocking chairs and a porch swing. A stable and riding pen sat adjacent to the house, and several horses galloped freely on a hill in the distance.

  “I heard your ranch was beautiful, but this is amazing,” she said in awe. “Do you miss ranching?”

  Harrison shrugged, his jaw tight. “Sometimes. I loved it as a kid when my dad was here, but it’s hard work. And after Chrissy disappeared, all I did was think about finding her killer.”

  “That’s the reason you went into law enforcement,” Honey said more as a statement than a question.

  He nodded. “Yeah.”

  “And your brothers followed suit?”

  “I guess they were driven for the same reasons I was.” He shrugged, the SUV bouncing over the graveled drive. “My mother was disappointed that we didn’t keep up the cattle business, but she understood. She wanted answers, too.”

  “Of course you all did.”

  His gaze met hers as he parked in front of a small log cabin, which backed up to the creek. For a moment, tension lingered between them then she followed him inside.

  The rustic furnishings were masculine but homey. On the mantel, a family picture caught her eye and made her feel totally out of place.

  She didn’t belong here in Tumbleweed, especially at Harrison Hawk’s house. Another photo of Chrissy that must have been taken shortly before she went missing sat beside the family picture. In the photo, she was wearing the yellow ribbons. He paused to look at it and Honey couldn’t resist. She took his hand in hers. His was big, strong, wide with long fingers while her hand seemed tiny next to his.

  Unlike most women he probably dated, her nails were filed short and blunt, her hands rough from refurbishing houses.

  His eyes darkened as he looked at her hand. He licked his lips.

  Dear heavens, she wanted to kiss him.

  “We’re getting close,” she said softly. “I can feel it.”

  Another hesitation, and she realized she was talking as much about them as she was about finding out the truth about Chrissy.

  She wanted to be closer.

  A dark, primal hunger radiated from his eyes, and she sensed he wanted more, too. That he was hurting and confused and needed comfort as much as she did.

  She squeezed his hand and leaned toward him. He took her face in his and stared deep into her eyes.

  Hunger and desire spiraled in her belly, and she sighed softly, letting him know that she wanted him.

  His gaze raked over her, but he resisted. For a fraction of a second.

  Then he drew her into his arms and closed his mouth over hers. She gave in to the moment and the heat simmering between them and slipped her hands around his neck. He felt warm and strong and hungry, a potent combination that stirred her own primal desires.

  He plunged his tongue into her mouth, and she opened and welcomed him, meeting his urgency with her own as she dragged her hands across his back. She wanted to touch him and taste him, to feel him naked and hot, bare skin to bare skin.

  She’d never wanted a man like that.

  It scared her to think that she did now.

  His family hated her. Or at least his mother did.

  His hands trailed down her back to her hips, and she moaned as he deepened the kiss. Her body hummed with desire, overruling her common sense, and she pulled at his shirt and opened the top two buttons so she could slip her hands inside and touch his bare skin.

  Heaven. It was pure heaven feeling the heat emanating from him, and knowing that he wanted her.

  That touching her was exciting him.

  She groaned and he yanked her closer, pressing his thick length against her belly so his erection pulsed between her legs. Raw need pummeled her.

  She’d only been with a couple of men in the past, and no one who
rivaled Harrison in the sex appeal department. No one she’d liked and admired and felt such a connection to.

  No one she’d loved...

  Her heart hammered. Her pulse stopped. She froze, cold fear gripping her in a vise.

  Loved?

  She’d never loved a man in her life. Had never even wanted to be in a long-term relationship.

  She’d only meant to survive.

  First as a child with her parents’ dysfunction and then the stigma of the gossip in Tumbleweed. The past few years she’d poured herself into her job, building a career and a name for herself.

  She’d been on her own.

  She didn’t know how to be anything else.

  Harrison groaned and planted kisses along her neck, and she clung to him, wanting him to take her to bed.

  But if he did that, she’d be lost to him forever.

  And she could not lose herself.

  She was the only person she could count on. For God’s sake, she’d learned that at a young age. She was simply feeling weak because she was back in Tumbleweed.

  He kissed her again, and she kissed him back, but slowly ended the kiss and pulled away.

  “We can’t do this,” she whispered, remembering his mother’s animosity.

  He lowered his head, tilted his forehead against hers, his breathing ragged as they held each other and the heat slowly cooled between them.

  “I should go to bed,” she whispered.

  He nodded but instead of releasing her, one hand brushed her breast as he lifted it to her chin. “I’ll show you the way.”

  God, she wanted that.

  She barely bit back a moan and fought her instincts to drag him to bed with her. It would feel so good to be naked in his arms, to have him inside her, to hear him calling her name in the throes of passion.

  A weary breath escaped her. That could never be. Girls like her didn’t end up with men like Harrison Hawk.

  She gave him a gentle push, silently telling him they had to stop this craziness, and he stepped back.

  Turmoil darkened his eyes, desire and regret blending, then he raked a hand through his hair and released her. “The guest room’s this way.”

  She couldn’t bring herself to speak so she simply nodded, then followed him to a second bedroom, which thankfully had its own bath. A log cabin quilt draped a four-poster bed with a painting of Hawk’s Landing centered above the bed.

  The painting was a reminder of where she was and the family who owned the land and this cabin. Of the son who had gone into law enforcement to solve his sister’s case.

  “What’s going to happen tomorrow?” she asked.

  He paused, his shoulders rigid. When he turned back to face her, he wore his sheriff’s expression.

  “I’m going to Austin to interview the family of one of the victims,” he said gruffly. “I won’t rest until the bastard who took Chrissy is behind bars.”

  Or dead, she thought, sensing his underlying meaning as he stalked to his bedroom and closed the door.

  Body still humming with unspent passion, she stripped her clothes and dragged on pajamas.

  But as she climbed into bed, she closed her eyes and imagined Harrison crawling in beside her, naked and hot with need.

  Her body tingled with desire as she envisioned him above her, his arms braced as he thrust inside her, his eyes hooded with passion meant for her.

  One touch of his lips and they’d forget the reasons they shouldn’t be together, and they’d make love until dawn.

  * * *

  WHAT THE HELL was wrong with him?

  Why couldn’t he keep his hands off Honey?

  Harrison retreated to his bedroom, disgusted with himself. Thank God she’d had the good sense to stop things or right now he’d be naked in the bed with her, feasting on her body and tasting every inch of her.

  He flipped the shower water to cold, stripped and dived beneath the spray, desperately needing to wrangle his libido under control.

  He hadn’t felt like this with a woman in ages. Maybe never.

  Truthfully, though, he hadn’t dated much. He’d been too focused on his family and his sister’s case to pursue a relationship with anyone.

  Why Honey, though? And why now?

  Because their emotions were running high from the threats against her and the connection between their families?

  He closed his eyes and willed away images of Honey’s golden hair spread across his pillow. Of her lips on his. Of her body joining his in blissful pleasure.

  Despite the cold water, his traitorous body wanted her.

  Dammit.

  He finally shut off the shower, dried off, dragged on boxers and padded his way to the bed.

  But when he lay down, more images of Honey came to him.

  She was in the next room, probably curled up in his guest bed asleep. Was she wearing some skimpy nightgown? Or was she naked?

  Was she still thinking of him?

  He punched his pillow and rolled to his stomach. It didn’t matter. He couldn’t have her. Not even once.

  If he did, he’d want her again. And again.

  Her big, sad eyes haunted him.

  Tomorrow he had work to do. She was right—they were uncovering the truth about his sister.

  Trouble was, he was getting closer to Honey, too.

  But he had to stay focused.

  He closed his eyes, and this time he pictured his little sister in his mind. If she’d lived, she might be married by now. Might have a family.

  Hell, all of their lives would be different. His parents might have stayed together.

  And he...he didn’t know what he’d be doing. If he would have become sheriff or if he might have taken over the ranch.

  But it did no good to think of “what if.”

  He was mired in reality. His family had lived in the dark for years. Guessing and imagining the worst. Hoping and praying for the best.

  Struggling through each Christmas and birthday with a hole in their hearts.

  And nothing could change that.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Harrison barely slept. Keeping his body in his own bed had consumed all his energy.

  He took another shower to wake himself up, then dressed and brewed a pot of coffee. By the time Honey emerged from the bedroom dressed and showered, he’d cooked bacon, eggs and toast.

  She looked surprised to see food on the table. “You didn’t have to make breakfast.”

  “I needed food,” he said. He’d had to stay busy to distract himself from joining her in the damn shower.

  She looked wary but sank into a chair and sipped the coffee he poured for her. He claimed the chair across from her and wolfed down his food, anxious to get on the road. Being in close quarters with Honey was too damn tempting.

  She buttered her toast then added jelly and took small bites in silence.

  “Did you sleep okay?” he finally asked.

  Her gaze met his. “Yes. Thanks for letting me stay here. I’m sure I got more sleep than I would have at my dad’s.”

  He wiped his mouth. “Have you decided what you’re going to do with his house?”

  She sipped her coffee. “I’ve spoken to the local real estate agent about the neighborhood. Some of the houses already belong to the bank so an investor could pick them up for a good price and build a nice group of homes.”

  “That would be good for the town,” Harrison said as he grabbed another piece of toast.

  “The trouble is people need jobs, and Tumbleweed doesn’t look as if it’s grown since I left.”

  “True. We need something to draw people,” he said, although he had no answers for the economy. His job was to protect the citizens.

  He
carried his plate to the sink, rinsed it and put it in the dishwasher. “I’m going to Austin this morning to talk to the family of one of the girls who went missing. You’re welcome to stay here or I can give you a ride back to your father’s house to retrieve your car.”

  “Let me go with you to Austin,” Honey said. “I need to check on a project I have there.”

  “Can’t you handle that over the phone?”

  “I could, but it would be nice to get away from Tumbleweed for a little while.”

  He understood. Things had been intense.

  “I like to review the details of the design myself, too.” She cleaned her plate and rinsed her coffee cup while he strapped on his gun and holster. Being in his kitchen and sharing breakfast with her felt too intimate and made him wonder what it would be like if they had made love and then shared breakfast.

  Dangerous thoughts.

  He stepped outside for air while she grabbed her purse and phone. They drove to Austin in silence, the miles ticking away as the ranches and farmland grew more sparse and the city slipped into view.

  He’d already phoned the family to ask if he could stop by so he drove to their house first.

  “Tell me about these people,” Honey said as he parked.

  He killed the engine. “Their names are Irene and Karl Armond. Their daughter Yvonne disappeared about six months after Chrissy did. No one has heard from her or seen her since.”

  “My father never drove as far as Austin,” Honey said. “And if these two cases are connected that means someone was preying on young girls back then.”

  Harrison nodded. “Exactly. We might be dealing with a serial predator.”

  * * *

  HONEY FIDGETED AS she got out of the SUV.

  If that was true, they might prove her father was innocent. But it also meant that Sheriff Dunar had missed something.

  “You said there were two girls?” Honey said as they walked up the drive.

  Harrison nodded. “Lucas is going to talk to the other family.”

  The Armonds lived in an overgrown ranch house outside Austin in a small neighborhood that looked family friendly. A blue sedan sat in the drive, a pickup behind it.

  Harrison knocked on the door, and footsteps sounded inside, then a female voice yelled to hold on.