9781631054723LucasDavis

by Susan Fisher-Davis

  “None of that at the table, big brother,” Dakota said as he reached for a sandwich.

  “You’re just jealous you don’t have someone.” Nathan teased him.

  Dakota winked at Shelly. “Are you sure you don’t want to run away with me?”

  Shelly laughed. “No, I think I’ll keep this one.”

  “You think you will?” Nathan growled making everyone laugh.

  Emily glanced over to see Lucas looking at her. She raised her eyebrows at him. He grinned and mouthed ‘later’ to her making her blush. After the men ate, they sauntered back outside. Emily couldn’t keep the smile from her face as she watched Lucas walk across the yard to the truck, back to work. She turned to see Shelly smiling at her.

  “You love that man a lot.” Shelly laughed.

  Emily blushed but nodded and laughed with her new friend. “So tell me how you and Nathan met.”

  Shelly smiled. “I was on a date with Dakota.” At Emily’s gasp, Shelly went on. “It was our first and last date. We were out for dinner and ran into Nathan and Carol Dunbar. As soon as Nathan and I looked at each other, I knew he was the one. He said he thought the same thing.” Shelly shrugged. “Thing is, Carol saw it too. Nathan asked us to sit with them. At first Dakota didn’t want to but Carol talked him into it. Nathan and I couldn’t keep our eyes off each other. When I went to the restroom, Carol did too. I thought for sure she was going to jump all over me for staring at her date.” Shelly laughed. “Boy, did she fool me. She said she could feel the ‘pull’ between us. I didn’t know what to say. When we returned to the table, she asked Dakota to take her home. He looked at her like she was crazy but it dawned on him what was going on. He smiled, took her hand and they left together. Nathan sat there staring at me and I thought maybe I was wrong, then he smiled and we’ve been together ever since.”

  “Fantastic story. When’s the wedding?”

  “Christmas Eve day. I want a winter wedding. I want to be a snow bride.” Shelly laughed. “Nathan thinks I’m crazy but I love snow and I’ve always dreamed of a wedding in winter. He picked the day.”

  “I was a winter bride but I didn’t get to plan too far ahead.” Emily shook her head.

  “I know. Nathan told me about it, but you and Lucas love each other now and that’s all that matters. If Nathan wanted to elope, I’d do it in a heartbeat. I adore the man.”

  “I’m sure the feeling is mutual. I noticed he can’t keep his eyes or hands off you.”

  Shelly blushed prettily. “I hope you and Lucas will come to the wedding. It’s not going to be a large affair. Just family and some close friends. I’d love it if you two would come.”

  Emily nodded. “We’d love to,” she said as Lucas walked in the backdoor.

  “We’d love to what?” he asked.

  “Attend Nathan and Shelly’s wedding.”

  Lucas grinned at Shelly. “Sure. I want to see Nathan get married. He’s avoided it for years.” Lucas winked at her. “Just took the right woman.” He glanced at Emily. “That’s all it ever takes.”

  The men came in the back door loud and boisterous. Playfully shoving each other around until Nathan came in behind them, telling them to quiet down. “They’re like a bunch of kids.” He shook his head.

  “Get used to it, big brother, if you want kids one day.” Dakota teased.

  “They still wouldn’t be as childish as you.”

  Emily laughed along with everyone else. She wanted to start a family soon and hoped Lucas did too. The thought of a little boy running after his daddy as he worked on the ranch and learned how to ride a horse made her smile. Her grandfather had her on a horse when she was in diapers and she wanted the same for her children. She wanted to watch Lucas ride with their child in front of him on the saddle. She wanted to see their children grow up loving horses as much as she and Lucas did.

  Emily snapped out of her daydream as everyone started to leave. Shelly hugged her. “I’ve enjoyed meeting you and our talk. It was nice. Let’s get together soon.”

  Emily hugged her back. “I’d love to. We’ll get together for lunch one day next week.”

  Shelly smiled at her as Nathan took her hand in his and led her out the door. Lucas stood on the porch as his friends pulled out. He entered the kitchen and strode to her. Cupping her face in his hands, he kissed her.

  “I missed you today,” he murmured against her lips.

  Emily grinned. “I’ve been right here.”

  Lucas snorted. “I know, but I couldn’t get away to come see you.”

  “You were busy and you all got a lot accomplished today.”

  “We only need to finish the kitchen and back of the house and it’ll be as good as new.” Lucas started to lead her from the kitchen. “I need a shower.”

  “So why are you taking me with you? I don’t need one.” She squealed when he picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder.

  “You need to learn what I say goes,” Lucas growled.

  Emily burst out laughing. “Yeah, sure.”

  Lucas smacked her bottom. “Smart ass.” He trudged up the stairs and into their bedroom and moved toward the bed. He laid her down on it then leaned over her and kissed her. Emily opened to him and wrapped her arms around his neck as he deepened the kiss. His tongue moved into her mouth and he groaned when she touched hers to his.

  “God, I want you so much Emily,” he told her as he moved his lips across her cheek to her ear. He sucked her earlobe into his mouth and sucked on it. She shivered and felt him grin. His lips moved down her neck as he unbuttoned her blouse and swept it open then he opened the front clasp on her bra, letting her breasts spill free. Lucas moved his mouth down her chest to take a nipple into his mouth. He sucked deeply. Emily’s fingers plowed through his hair and pulled him closer. She arched her back and groaned as he moved to the other nipple.

  His hand moved down to the snap of her jeans and unhooked it then his hand moved under her panties to the wet folds of her femininity. Moving the pad of his thumb against her clitoris, he inserted two fingers. Lucas moved them in and out as his thumb moved against her. Emily’s legs tightened against his hand and her muscles clenched around him when she came and cried out his name.

  He stood and shucked his clothes then knelt beside her and rolled her to her stomach. He moved behind her, lifted her to her knees, and thrust into her hard and fast. Emily screamed out as Lucas pounded into her. She arched back toward him. His hands moved to her hips to set a rhythm. Emily was going over the edge again.

  “Lucas…” She groaned as another orgasm hit her. A low moan came from deep in his chest as he followed her over. Her knees gave out and she fell forward with Lucas on top of her. He rolled off her.

  “Are you all right?” he whispered.

  “Yes. You?” She started to giggle.

  “Yes. What’s funny?”

  “I thought we came up here to shower?”

  “Did I say that? I said I needed a shower. Now you do too.”

  Emily smiled at him. “I’ll wash yours if you wash mine.”

  Lucas laughed. “Deal.” He stood and put his hand out to her. She placed her hand in his and they headed for the bathroom. “Then we’ll take a nap. I need one.”

  Emily nodded. “Sounds good to me.”

  They slept until the next morning.

  * * * *

  The last week of June was a scorcher. Emily sat on the front porch watching the slight breeze move the dust around the driveway. She needed to go inside but her thoughts were on Lucas. He seemed distant over the past week and she wasn’t sure why. He barely spoke. He’d just come in from working, shower, eat, and go to bed. It scared her. The only conversations they seemed to have revolved around business.

  Emily stood and walked into the house. There was paperwork to do and it would take her mind off things. Things being Lucas. As she sat at the desk, she couldn’t get past the thought he wasn’t happy any longer. But why? They hadn’t made love in a week. Granted, it was the breedi
ng season for the horses and sales were up but that couldn’t be it, could it? She sighed and pulled out the ledger. Looking at the numbers usually made her smile but not today. Today she hurt because she was terrified she was losing him. Since Adam was dead, there really was no reason for Lucas to stick around.

  Tossing down the pen, she strode from the room, through the kitchen and out the back door. She was going to get to the bottom of this now. When she entered the barn, she allowed her eyes to adjust before heading down the aisle. She heard voices coming from one of the stalls and headed toward it. Emily recognized Tinker’s and Lucas’s voices but she came to a dead stop when she heard what Lucas was saying.

  “I can’t help it, Tinker. I’m restless.”

  “You need to get over it. You ain’t been married but a few months for Christ’s sake. Give it time,” Tinker raised his voice.

  “I tried. I can’t anymore. It’s like an itch I can’t scratch.”

  “You have time. You’re young yet. Both of you.”

  “That’s exactly why I want it now,” Lucas argued.

  Emily couldn’t stand to hear anymore, she turned and ran from the barn. Once inside the house, she ran upstairs, threw herself across the bed, and let the tears go. He wanted to leave her. He was restless again and wanted to leave like he left Wyoming five years ago. After a few minutes, she sat up and glanced around the room they shared. He wasn’t going to do this to her. She’d end it first before he had a chance to.

  Emily got up and pulled his clothes out of the closet and tossed them in his duffle bag then dragged it down the stairs and set it by the front door. Then she sat in the living room and waited for him to come in the back door.

  * * * *

  Lucas entered the kitchen and called for Emily. When she didn’t answer, he headed toward the living room and found her sitting in the window seat staring out the window.

  “Didn’t you hear me calling for you?” Lucas smiled at her. When she didn’t smile back, he frowned at her. He glanced around not knowing what to say. His duffle bag sat by the front door. “Why’s my duffle bag there?” He had a sick feeling.

  “I packed it for you. I want you to leave.” She stood to face him.

  “Leave? Why?”

  Emily shrugged. “Adam’s dead. I don’t need you anymore.”

  “I own half this ranch.” Lucas’s temper was rising.

  “Whenever you get where you’re going, let me know and I’ll send you a check every month.”

  Lucas clenched his jaw and his fists. “You’ll send me…” He couldn’t go on without shouting and he didn’t want to do that.

  “You’re not needed here anymore, Lucas. In fact, I killed Adam. You were right when you said you didn’t protect me very well.”

  His heart slammed into his ribs and he swallowed hard. “So you don’t need me at all now.”

  “Apparently, I never did. Please go.” She turned away from him.

  Lucas stared at her for a few seconds then gave a terse nod. “Fine.” He picked up his duffle bag and headed out. He softly closed the door when he wanted to slam it so hard the glass would break. What the hell happened? She said she loved him. Lucas tossed his duffle bag into the bed of the truck and got in. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the steering wheel. His gaze roamed over the barns and horses in the corrals. He loved Whispering Pines but he loved Emily more. He’d give everything he owned to have her in his life. He didn’t give a rat’s ass about the ranch, he only wanted her. Taking a deep breath, he started the truck and with one more glance at the house, he turned the truck around and pulled out, spinning tires and throwing gravel. With no destination in mind, he drove toward Lincoln’s ranch. Lucas could stay there with him. He knew Linc would take him in, no questions asked. Lucas shook his head as he drove toward Linc’s place. They’d wanted a family. What the hell happened? He slammed his fist against the steering wheel. There would never be another woman for him. Emily was his life and now he was supposed to go on without her. Lucas shook his head. He just didn’t understand what happened.

  * * * *

  When Emily heard the door click shut behind him, she collapsed to the floor. How she held up when she wanted to beg him not to leave her was a miracle. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she listened to him walk across the porch and then his truck starting up and him driving off. Why was he the kind of man who got restless? She thought he loved Whispering Pines. She thought he loved her. He’d said it over and over but he wanted to go. Why was he unhappy when he owned half of the best Quarter Horse ranch in the states? The thought of going on without him was a pain like no other.

  Munch butted her head against her and meowed. Emily sat up and stared at her. “I ran him off, Munch.” She pulled the cat onto her lap. “He got restless and I made him go before he had to tell me. I don’t know what I’m going to do without him.” Sobs shook her body as she held the cat to her. Munch pushed at her and Emily let her go. “You don’t want me either.”

  Emily stood and walked upstairs. She bypassed the bedroom she’d shared with Lucas. There was no way she could sleep in the bed she’d once shared with him. Going into her room, she laid on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Why was she so bad at picking men? Adam had been a criminal and Lucas had been…wonderful. Rolling to her side, she hugged her pillow and cried. They’d talked about having a family. She wanted his children so badly and now it would never happen. Lucas had enough money to buy his own place or travel and it seemed like he wanted to travel. He was out of her life. There was paperwork she needed to do, but it could wait. She’d catch up with it tomorrow and try to get on with her life.

  * * * *

  Lucas woke up the next morning after only a few hours sleep. He’d tossed and turned all night trying to figure out what went wrong. Reaching out for her and not finding her. Christ! He sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed ad rubbed his temples. He had one hell of a headache. He stood, stretched, and then headed for the shower. Linc hadn’t asked a thing and Lucas knew he’d wait for Lucas to say something first. That’s how Lincoln was. Laid back and patient.

  Lucas walked downstairs and entered the kitchen. He got himself a cup of coffee and took a seat at the table. Lincoln came in the back door.

  “Son of a bitch, it’s hot out already,” He told Lucas as he strode to the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of water. He drank half of it before he sat down across from Lucas. “Do you want to help me in the barn today or are you moving on?”

  “I’ll help out. I don’t know what I’m going to do yet.”

  Lincoln nodded. “You can stay here as long as you need.”

  “I appreciate it, Linc.” Lucas huffed. “She told me to leave. Said she didn’t need me anymore since Walters is dead and I didn’t do a good job of protecting her anyway since she’s the one who killed him.”

  “It doesn’t sound right to me. Are you sure you didn’t piss her off in some way?”

  “No. I’ve been busy with all the breeding and sales going on but we talked every night before we’d go to bed.”

  Lincoln shook his head. “You’re crazy about her.”

  Lucas smirked. “I love her more than life.”

  “Did you tell her?”

  Lucas nodded. “Yes and she said she loved me too. I just don’t get it.” He sighed. “I thought we were happy. We talked about having kids.”

  Lincoln tossed the empty water bottle into the bin. “I’ll be in the barn when you feel like coming out. I’ve got a stallion who hates everyone and everything.”

  Lucas nodded. Lincoln had a reputation for being the best ‘horse whisperer’ in the state of Wyoming. People brought their horses from near and far to get him to work with their horses. People said he could take the wildest stallion from the plains and have it eating out of his hand in no time. Lucas believed it since he’d been a witness to Lincoln’s work with horses. It always amazed him.

  Sighing, he stood and headed for the barn. He’d shuck stalls if he had to. A
nything to try to keep his mind off Emily.

  * * * *

  Emily entered the barn to let Tinker know Lucas was gone. He came strolling toward her and smiled. “Good morning, Emily.” He stopped and stared at her. “You look tired. Didn’t you sleep? And where’s Lucas?”

  “I didn’t sleep well.” Emily cleared her throat. “Uh…Lucas is gone.”

  “Gone? Where? We didn’t have a feed pick up scheduled. Did he go to town?”

  “No. He’s…gone. He left. It’s over between us.” Her voice caught on a sob.

  Tinker reared back. “What do you mean, over?”

  “He’s gone, all right? Just let it go, Tinker, and get the men started on their chores. I don’t want to talk about it. No,” she said when he started to interrupt. “The subject is closed. I’ll be in the back office. I don’t want to be disturbed.” She strode past him and headed to the office. She could hear Tinker muttering behind her but she ignored him.

  As she sat at the desk, she noticed the clock she’d given Lucas to remind him of the time. He always let it slip away when he sat at the desk to enter the day’s activities. She’d teased him he’d come in at midnight if he didn’t have the clock. He’d teased back, saying he’d still wake her up if he did.

  Emily placed her hands over her face as she felt the tears welling up in her eyes again. There shouldn’t be any tears left since she’d cried all night. Four hours of sleep was going to wear her down through the day but for now, she had to get to work. Maybe she’d take a nap later. She snorted. She knew that wouldn’t happen. With Lucas gone, she’d pick up the slack, doing what she’d done before he came to the ranch.

  Emily jumped when someone knocked at the office door. Sighing, she told them to come in and groaned when she saw Tinker. She should have known he wouldn’t let it go.