Marty nodded, but said nothing more as he lowered to Claire’s side. Cherry turned to Cash.
“May I have a moment?”
“Sure,” Cash replied.
Cherry walked out the door with Cash following her. She strolled past the officers and wandered around the side of the shack, stopping when she felt they had a tidbit of privacy. She spun to face him. Without warning, she landed a solid slap to his cheek. Her palm stung from the impact. His face showed wide-eyed surprise and his jaw hung open as his hand rubbed the red, hand-shaped mark on his face.
“That’s for leaving me alone in that hotel room.” She breathed in deeply, taking in the soothing cold air. It didn’t help cool her anger.
“I deserved that.” Cash started directly at her. Sorrow filled his gaze.
Cherry steeled her resolve to continue. This conversation had been a long time coming and she wasn’t letting a pitiful look weaken her determination to get this off her chest. “I’m not sure why you did what you did. I’ve never been anyone’s one-night stand and I’m pissed off at letting myself be that for you.” When something warm and furry brushed her hand, she looked down. Max licked her fingers, nudging her to pet him.
“I’m sorry, Cherry. I didn’t mean for it to turn out that way.”
“How did you mean for it to turn out?” As she stroked the dog, she returned her gaze to his. “You said a lot things that night in bed. Was any of it true or simply spoken to get laid?”
He scrubbed his hand down his face and released a heavy sigh that caused his breath to visibly appear in the icy air. She waited patiently for him to answer. When he did, she wished he’d kept his mouth shut.
“What started as a wonderful night, became a cold, dark dose of reality for me the next morning.”
“Dark dose of reality?” She snorted heatedly. “I’m a dark dose of reality! Guess sleeping with something other than a twig wasn’t your cup of tea after all.”
“That’s not what I meant,” he stumbled over his words. When he reached for her, she stepped back. “It’s just—”
Cherry lifted her hands in front of her, halting him from getting any closer or saying anything else.
“This conversation is over.” She brushed past him then turned for a moment. His being an asshole over sex was no reason for her to forget what he’d done tonight. “I’m grateful to you and Max for leading Bill and the others here. Thank you for your help with Claire’s delivery.”
She didn’t give him a chance to say anything else. Cherry hurried back inside.
* * * * *
Dawn split the sky when they walked out of the hospital. It had been a long night. While the baby was being born, Bill had given their location to the station house. Rescue crews on snowmobiles entered the area and evacuated the mother and baby to an open area so the chopper could airlift them to the hospital. Cherry had gone along in the chopper. Cash and Bill had driven the hour to meet them there, while Officers Abe and Kevin took care of the paperwork back at the police station.
Cherry let out a long sigh. “I have to commend you, Bill. That was some smooth negotiating on your part. Didn’t think those two pigheaded fools would ever come to agreeable terms.”
“They really didn’t have a choice.” Bill shrugged. “Their kids fell in love, secretly got married and hid her pregnancy from them. It made them realize they weren’t exactly model parents.”
“If the baby hadn’t come early, their parents never would’ve known about it. I spent a lot of time with them in that shack trying to convince them to go to the hospital, but they weren’t having any part of it. They’d both been working, saving, and planning to leave town before the baby came. Claire managed to keep it hidden with baggy clothing and watching her weight by eating healthy. Her father travels a lot with his job so he’s not around much anyway. Her mother took off years ago, so it was just her father.” Cherry took a breath as she shook her head. “Maybe now that little family will have a chance at some normalcy.”
“I’ve got a question, Cherry,” Cash said. “How’d you end up at the shack?”
She didn’t look at him as she answered. Cash knew he’d fucked up again out in the woods. She’d given him an opportunity to clear the air between them and he’d failed, miserably.
“That’s the place Claire and Marty secretly met whenever they could. They didn’t expect her to go into labor. Her due date wasn’t for another few weeks. Dwayne was listening in on his father’s police band radio and heard the call about someone needing to go out to Mrs. Hatfield’s. He does odd jobs for Mrs. Hatfield, to help her out, so he knew where she lived. He knew Claire was in trouble. His brother had snuck back to the house for supplies and told him. Dwayne watched Mrs. Hatfield’s until he saw me enter. He hightailed it down the road apiece and waited, then flagged me down. I couldn’t leave that young woman to suffer. I had to go help her.”
“Well, you did a good thing.” Bill yawned. “I’m heading home. See you two later.”
Cash ushered Max into the Hummer then turned to Cherry. “Can I give you a lift?”
“Umm.” She looked around as if trying to locate a way out. The hospital was over in Billings, which was at least an hour’s ride from home.
He wasn’t giving her a choice. “Cherry, your Jeep was dropped off at the Rescue Squad. It’s been a hectic day for you. Let me be a gentleman for a change and give you a ride home.”
Those big green eyes of hers darted one last glance around before landing back on him. He saw her hesitation and her shoulders sagged a bit as if in defeat. “Cash, I’m tired and hungry. I really don’t have the energy to fight with you.”
“Then don’t.” He grinned and gave her a mock bow as he held the passenger door open. Max sat on the seat, tail wagging and tongue lolling out of his mouth. “Your chariot awaits.”
“Max, do you mind if I share your seat?” She tousled his ears. He licked her face then jumped into the backseat.
“Guess he doesn’t mind.”
The heat of Cash’s words spoken close to her ear sent chills skating down her neck, her arms and speared her nipples. She slowly lifted her chin and looked over her shoulder at him standing closely behind her. He wasn’t kidding. It’d been a long hard day and night. Seeing him walk into that shack had shaken her. He was the one person she’d never expected—or wanted—to see again. For the sake of Claire and the baby’s safety, she’d shifted into autopilot and done her job, brought a new life into the world and managed to ignore him in the process. When they’d gotten a few moments to chat in the woods, he’d been a real ass. Dark dose of reality, whispered through her brain, warning her she should walk away.
But now. Here. Standing in the early morning rays, staring at those damn sexy brown eyes and him giving her one of his smiles with those irresistible deep-dish dimples, she just wanted to melt against him, kiss him and pick up where they’d left off.
Hurt and alone in a hotel room. The memory shot to the forefront of her brain. No man had treated her like that, ever. He’d been her high school crush. That night was just a chance at fulfilling a fantasy, nothing more. She had a life, a very fulfilling career and a loving best friend in her sister. She definitely didn’t need a man like Cash to make her whole. But she wanted him and that’s what hurt the most. Cherry steeled her spine and resituated her dignity shield.
She broke eye contact and pushed away from him then climbed into the vehicle. That was just a one-night stand as far as he was concerned and she wasn’t going to cry one more tear over him. This was simply a ride home. She clicked on the seatbelt as he closed the door and hoofed it around to the other side.
He slid into the driver’s seat, started the engine. “Food and home. Next stop.”
Cherry leaned back and closed her eyes. Maybe if she rested, he wouldn’t talk. God she was tired. Every ounce of muscle ached. Her lids were so heavy she couldn’t have made them remain open even if she wedged toothpicks in them. She wiggled into a more comfortable position, seat as
far back as it would recline and her long legs stretched out. She hadn’t meant to nod off, but exhaustion won.
A warm, wet tongue startled her awake. Cherry opened her eyes wide as she gasped then realized she’d been licked by a dog. She blinked, waking more fully. “Max,” she whispered. The passenger door opened and Cash held out his hand.
“Hope you caught a good nap.”
Looking around, she was confused, not recognizing her surroundings. They were parked at a log cabin with not another house within eyesight. It was a picturesque vision from a Norman Rockwell painting. Snow-covered mountain, sunshine filtering through the trees, wraparound porch, wide front steps and a swing hanging invitingly to the right of a big bay window.
“Where are we? I thought you were taking me home?” She didn’t budge from her seat but Max did, scurrying over her and jumping down.
“I believe I said food and home.” He reached for her hand, urging her to move. “I just didn’t say which home. We’re at my house.”
She shook her head. “I’m really tired and want to go home.”
“You said you were hungry.” He tugged gently on her hand. “Let me cook for you, show you that I’m not a complete ass. You worked the night shift, then went out to take care of an elderly woman and got swept into a backwoods birth. I doubt you’ve had much sleep if any. The least I can do is cook for you. If you don’t like what I have to offer, then I’ll take you home.”
Damn him. Sincerity shown in those big brown eyes of his and with a bat of his thick lashes, her resolve to avoid him weakened. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and released a defeated sigh. It had to be because she was totally exhausted and starving that she made the choice. “Okay.”
He helped her out of the vehicle. Max was waiting patiently beside the front door. Cherry followed Cash onto the porch. Apprehension swirled in her gut. This was a bad idea, being alone with him. It’d been over a month since that passionate night spent fucking him blind, and a shitload of ice cream and tears to soothe her hurt pride afterward. Cherry rolled her eyes behind his back. She was being stupid. He’d offered food, nothing more. On shaky legs, she stepped into his home. He took her coat and hung it in the closet to the left of the door.
“If you like, I’ll show you to the master bath. You can shower while I cook.”
She gave him a sideways hard stare, but spoke in a teasing manner, “You saying I stink, Cash Dupree?”
Chapter Four
He grinned and those dimples popped, making her heartbeat faster. “No ma’am. Just thought you might like a relaxing hot shower.” He took her hand and led her to the stairs.
She halted their progress. “I don’t have a change of clothes.”
Cash stepped off the first stair, turning toward her. Their bodies brushed and she couldn’t breathe. Heat filled his gaze and the tip of his tongue wet those delectable lips of his. Lips she desperately wanted to taste again. The way she reacted to him was truly tormenting the logical side of his brain. He’d made it obvious their night had been a mistake. Don’t even go there screamed the warning inside her head.
“I’ll loan you something.” He abruptly spun around, dragging her behind him up the stairs.
She admired the gorgeously carved wooden railing as her hand trailed along it. She tugged him to a stop at the top. “This is beautiful.”
He shrugged. “Thanks. I’m glad you like it. Spent a lot of hours on that before it was installed.”
Her eyes widened. She knew he worked for his family’s business, Dupree Woodworks and Designs, but she’d never guessed he was so talented. “You carved this?”
“Yeah,” he admitted sheepishly. “It’s what I do. I’m a wood carver for the business. Now come on, let’s get you settled so I can prepare you that breakfast I promised.”
They walked past four open doors, two on either side of the hallway. She glanced in each as they breezed past. Three were bedrooms. One was a bathroom, but he didn’t stop until he opened the double doors at the end of the hall. He led her inside. The furniture was amazing. A large oversized bed sat in the center of the far wall between a floor-to-ceiling window and a set of beautiful stained-glass doors, which opened to a small balcony. The head and footboard were hand-carved solid oak. The dressers, nightstands and corner desk all matched the bed as if they were designed as a bedroom set. The walls were painted in a soft sage color and the floor was a dark hardwood.
“Wow,” she whispered before she could stop it.
He smiled at her across his shoulder. “Glad you approve.” He strolled over to the stained-glass doors and opened them as he motioned her over. “This is my favorite spot in the whole house.”
She stood beside him, breathing in the cold air. The view was spectacular. The trees had been cleared, creating a backyard, which ran to a stockade fence. On the other side, snow-covered mountains, blue sky and clouds filled the scene. He pointed.
“I put that fence up because it’s a rocky drop-off on the other side. Didn’t want Max accidently going over the cliff. It’s a decent climb if you’re into that sort of exercise. At the bottom is an awesome fishing stream.”
She couldn’t look at him. The tenderness of his words gave her chills. He was proud of his land and his home. He cleared his throat and stepped back into the room, moved to the taller of the two dressers and gathered items for her to wear. He laid them on the bed.
“Here’s a pair of sweats and a T-shirt you can use.” He opened another door. “This is the master bath. Towels and washcloths are in the closet beside the shower. Help yourself.” He smiled at her as he opened a vanity drawer and pulled out a toothbrush still in its package and toothpaste. “I bought a few of these when Max was going through a strange phase. He kept stealing my toothbrush and chewing on it, so I had to keep a supply. Glad he finally outgrew it. Make yourself at home.”
He moved as if he couldn’t get out of there fast enough. Was he afraid she’d strip in front of him? Did he think she’d throw herself at him, wanting another round with him? God. Did she look that pathetic? Cherry stormed into the bathroom determined to quickly wash up, eat and get the hell out of there. Maybe she’d skip breakfast and call her sister for a ride home. Being in Cash’s home had her nerves on edge and her emotions rolling. No matter how badly he’d treated her, she still wanted him physically. But he doesn’t want me.
She inhaled deeply at the sight of the master bath. Damn. Gorgeous, cream-colored tile covered the floor and halfway up the walls. A large, dark oak vanity ran along one wall, containing two sinks separated by a specially designed makeup area. Probably used by his ex-wife. She snorted and her heart sank at the idea of that woman being in this room. Silly, she scolded herself. Cash wasn’t hers to think such thoughts about. Her mind stuck on that cold morning when she woke alone.
Never had she allowed someone to shake her self-worth as that had. She’d secretly idolized Cash when she was much younger. Couldn’t believe they’d actually fucked themselves to exhaustion that night and had thought that maybe it would lead to something more. Whispered words of desire pranced through her brain. Words that had hurt her deeply when she realized she’d made the classic mistake of a one-night stand. She’d fallen for the drunken flowery speech meant to divest a woman from her clothing. Unfortunately for her, she hated to admit those words were spoken by a longtime dream lover who still starred in her fantasies, which tormented her heart.
Her sister had told her to think of it as a sexual conquest on her part, a notch in the old headboard so to speak. She’d tried but failed. He’d touched her heart and that’s what tortured her soul. Not the fact that he’d fucked her and disappeared before she woke. Being with him that night had cemented him in her heart and that’s what tore her apart. She’d fallen in love. It was no longer a fantasy.
Notch in the headboard. She snorted at the thought. He was more than that and the ache in her heart confirmed it.
Cherry held her back straight and stared in the mirror, shaking he
r head. It wasn’t meant to be. He was a man with a particular type and she wasn’t it. She deserved so much more. She breathed in deeply, giving herself a silent pep talk. She was a strong, beautiful woman. She’d dated before, had sexual relationships before, but Cash was always a secret desire she’d kept buried in her heart. Her eyes landed on the reflection of a worn-out, tired version of herself and she shrugged. He wasn’t going to hurt her again. She tried to set aside those depressing thoughts and took in the rest of this amazing bathroom.
A huge garden tub was built into a beautifully tiled, raised dais. Candles lined the back corner of it. She turned to the shower and was stunned. It was definitely created to hold two people. Dual showerheads were positioned on opposite sides. An array of jets were embedded at different levels in the walls. A wide bench ran from a corner to about two feet on one wall. Cherry opened the glass door, reached in and turned on one set of the water controls, adjusting them until the temperature coming out of one of the showerheads was perfect. She collected a washcloth and towel from the closet, hanging the towel on a hook she found on the wall beside the shower door. It was just too tempting to resist using such a well-designed shower. She quickly brushed her teeth then stripped, leaving her clothes in a pile beside the hamper.
Cherry stepped into the stream of water and all she could think was wonderful. Tilting her chin, pushing her hair back, she closed her eyes, soaking herself in the relaxing sensation washing over her. She just stood there, hands digging through her hair, unknotting the long, tangled strands.
“Here, let me do that.”
Cherry jumped, eyes sprang open wide. His presence was unexpected. She spun around, coming face-to-face with Cash. He was naked, sporting a lovely hard-on and in her personal space, throwing her emotions for a loop.
“What,” she sputtered. “What are you doing in here?” She made the useless attempt to cover her breasts with one arm and her privates with her other hand. “What makes you think you can get in the shower with me?”
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