Wolf Haven

by Lindsay McKenna

  “What do you think?” he asked her.

  “I think he’s probably playing in the haymow up on the third floor,” Sky said, giving Gray a rueful look. “Tell me what kid doesn’t love playing in loose hay?” She saw a grin edge the hard line of his mouth. Though she was rattled, she tried to tamp down her wild emotions, feeling adrenaline spurting into her bloodstream, making her jumpy and restless. Her legs weren’t as long as Gray’s, and he shortened his stride for her sake as they approached the barn. “Good call,” he congratulated her, guiding her into the barn. Their footsteps echoed on the graying wooden boards of the floor. The barn was nearly a hundred years old and filled with hay and grain for the animals. There was a buckboard and a wagon on the lowest floor.

  Sky practically ran over to the wooden ladder that led to the second floor, which was packed with baled alfalfa and timothy hay. Gray looked up. The third and highest floor contained loose hay.

  Gray watched the movement of Sky’s sweet rear, her hips swaying. More heat plunged through him. He remembered cupping those rounded cheeks of hers, remembered those flared, curved hips beneath his hands. He didn’t even try to shove away any of those burning memories, not wanting to forget one honeyed moment with Sky.

  He took the ladder quickly with his long legs. Sky was already heading up to the wooden ladder against the west wall of the barn that led to the third floor. Her hair was loose and swayed with her body as she climbed up it. Hair that Gray wanted to feel sliding through his fingers once again.

  Sky was breathing hard when she walked across the dusty wooden floor of the haymow. There were huge clumps of sweet-smelling timothy and alfalfa hay here and there.

  “Justin?” she called out, halting, her gaze ranging across the four huge mounds of grass hay. “Justin? It’s Sky. Are you here?”

  Her voice echoed around in the large interior. Below, Sky heard the voices of the rest of the people hunting for the boy. She narrowed her eyes, looking for movement or maybe a hole dug into the tufts of timothy. She felt Gray halt near her, feeling the heat of his body, her mouth growing dry. Sky couldn’t be around him and not feel shaky, needy and as if she wanted to make love with him again.

  “Look,” Gray said in a rasp, pointing to the left of where she stood.

  Frowning, Sky followed where he was pointing his finger. Her breath caught. There! Small footprints, or what appeared to be footprints, scattering the hay here and there across the floor. She twisted a look up at him, nodding. Gray smiled down at her and moved his chin in that direction.

  “I’ll stay here. The boy trusts you,” he growled softly.

  Gray’s physicality was palpable. Sky swore she felt him reach out and graze her cheek with his hand. Just with one look of those dark gold-and-green eyes focused solely on her made her knees mushy. She managed a weak nod and moved forward.

  “Justin?” Sky called, following the trail through the scattered hay. The prints led to the largest mow. “Sweetheart, come out, come out wherever you are,” she sang out, keeping her voice light. If Justin heard anger, she knew he’d hide and not say a peep. Getting down on her hands and knees, Sky saw the mow had been burrowed into. And then she caught sight of Justin’s little red cowboy boot. “I see you, Justin,” she sang out softly, laughing. She heard Gray moving toward the ladder to tell everyone that Justin had been found.

  The mow shook like a shaggy dog. Sky heard Justin’s high-pitched laugh. The dried timothy hay trembled again with the boy’s laughter, the dried grass falling here and there. Sky eased closer. “Justin, isn’t it fun to hide in there? Are you warm?”

  “It is,” Justin whispered. “It smells so good!”

  Sky laughed with him, resting her elbows on her thighs, now seeing Justin fully. He’d burrowed into the hay like a bear ready to hibernate. “Hey, honey, your mommy and daddy are looking for you. Would you like to come out and let them know you’re okay?”

  “Yes,” Justin called. He unwound, moved around and crawled out on his hands and knees, a huge smile plastered on his face.

  Sky sat up, grinning with him. Justin was covered with grass hay! It was tangled in his hair, around his shoulders and arms. The child was smiling so widely that Sky laughed and held out her hand.

  Justin stood up, shook himself dramatically, watching the grass hay fall off all around him. “That was fun!” he said, throwing up his arms and smiling up at Sky as she rose to her feet.

  “I know it is,” she confided in a secret whisper. “Come on. Let’s climb down and surprise your parents. I know they’ll be so glad to see you. And—” she gave him a conspiratorial look “—you can tell them all about conquering the Hay Men who live in this barn!”

  Justin’s eyes rounded, and he slowed as they approached the ladder. “Hay Men?” he asked, curious.

  Sky got on the ladder first and then guided Justin over to the rungs, making sure his small hands had a good grip on them. She wanted to be below him in case he fell or slipped. “You mean,” she whispered, “you haven’t heard about the Hay Men?” She watched Justin’s cheeks flush with excitement. His eyes danced with anticipation.

  “No.”

  Gray stood below them, watching their progress. He helped Sky step aside, and then he lifted Justin off the ladder and into her awaiting arms. Below, all the adults were standing and waiting; relief was written on everyone’s faces. The moment he gave the boy to Sky, his heart wrenched. Justin grabbed ahold of her, wrapping his thin little arms around her neck, squeezing her tight. The laughter rippling out of Sky’s throat nearly totaled Gray’s heart. She was so damn good with children. For a split second, Gray felt his world shift. Sky was there with their son in her arms instead of Justin. Shaking his head, Gray turned, scowling. What the hell?

  As Gray led the way down the last ladder to the main floor, it wasn’t possible to keep telling himself that Sky didn’t matter to him. Dammit, she did. In so many large and small ways. He stepped aside and helped Sky off the ladder. They allowed Justin to climb down on his own.

  “Mommy! Daddy!” Justin screeched, as he jumped from the last rung of the ladder to the floor, a show of confidence. “I was with the Hay Men!”

  Sky felt tears sting her eyes as she watched the reunion between the worried parents and their excited child. Gray moved closer to her, as if sensing she was close to crying. Her vision blurred for a moment over the heartwarming welcome that Justin gave his relieved parents. Everyone else grinned at one another, shook their heads and took off toward the corral of awaiting horses.

  “Come on, everyone,” Iris called, settling her big straw hat on her flyaway silver hair. “We got a trail ride scheduled. Time to saddle up!”

  Sky felt an invisible release of worry lose its grip on the group. She’d never seen Justin so animated. Judy had him sitting on her thigh, and she was patiently picking out grass hay from her son’s ruffled hair. Gray’s hand curved around her shoulder.

  “I’ve got to get back to work,” he murmured, holding her gaze. Jesus, she looked so vulnerable and beautiful in that moment. Her eyes glistened with tears, that soft mouth of hers parted. She swallowed several times, battling back the tears. Her neck was so elegant, so accessible, that Gray wanted to lean over and kiss and lick each spot along its expanse. He wanted to hear those delicious sounds that caught in her throat that told him how much pleasure he had given her, again. Knowing others might be watching them, he lifted his hand off her shoulder.

  “Yes,” Sky whispered. “I promised Justin I’d ride with him.”

  “Good. You can tell him a story about the Hay Men as you ride.”

  Feeling heat fly up into her face, Sky had the good grace to grin. “When I’m with kids, all kinds of wild stories just come popping out of my head,” she admitted, a little breathless.

  Gray wanted the world to stop right now. He wanted to turn and haul Sky into his arms and kiss h
er until she melted like the sweet honey she was, into his arms and flow down across his hard, throbbing body. “Well,” he growled, so only she could hear, “maybe tonight, in bed, you can tell me more about them?”

  Sky’s throat tightened and words just blanked out in her mind as she drowned in that heated male stare. Oh, yes, she wanted to be in Gray’s arms. In his bed. Her whole body quivered internally, the scalding heat going from simmer to boil inside her. She watched him walk away with that confident walk of his, then forced herself to go back to work. Their personal time would come later.

  Sky walked over to Justin. The boy was beside himself with joy. He told his parents how he’d climbed those ladders all by himself. Sky could see the bleak look in their eyes, worried to death he might have fallen. A warm love for Justin flowed through Sky. The child was blooming right before their eyes and had become courageous and less imprisoned in his head. She felt tears come again, deeply touched by the miracle she was seeing take place. She saw the same expression and awareness in the eyes of his parents, as well.

  As Sky walked out of the barn with the Bradford family, heading for the awaiting horses in the corral, she saw Gray entering the wildlife center. He would feed the wolf pups. Very soon, they would be turned out into their new home, able to explore the ten-acre enclosure and continue to grow strong and healthy. Her heart somersaulted as she reran Gray’s gritty tone, telling her he wanted her in his bed tonight. Sky couldn’t wait to get home at 5:00 p.m. to be with him. But then, she was also in turmoil. So much was happening so quickly.

  * * *

  GRAY WAS IN the kitchen when Sky entered the house at 5:00 p.m. She hooked her cowboy hat on a peg and unbuttoned the cuffs on her white blouse. As she rolled the sleeves up to her elbows she said, “Whatever you’re making smells good.” The afternoon trail ride had been hot, and she felt the grit of dust on her skin.

  “Beef Stroganoff,” Gray murmured. He felt like staring like a hungry wolf at Sky. Her ginger-colored hair had been drawn into a ponytail. She looked lean and graceful. He couldn’t help remembering all her curves beneath his exploring hands. “Want to get washed up? Dinner will be in about thirty minutes.”

  Wrinkling her nose, Sky said, “I definitely need a shower.”

  “You have time,” he said, trying to ward off the desire to join her. He had a vision of lifting Sky up against the tiled shower, her slender legs wrapping around his waist. But he forced himself to focus. It didn’t help that his erection was thick and hard, pressing painfully against his Levi’s.

  Damn. The woman was certifiably sensual and sexy, flipping him on like a light switch. One look into her face, though, and Gray felt doused with ice-cold water. This wasn’t about him. It was about Sky. He could see she wasn’t having the same fantasy as he was. Testosterone brain, he warned himself. “I’ll be back in a few,” she called, hurrying across the living room.

  Gray tried not to stare at Sky when she returned twenty-five minutes later. Her hair had been washed and hung in damp, drying strands around her face. Chest tightening, he liked the soft blue T she wore. Gray knew Sky didn’t like wearing a bra and wouldn’t wear one unless she was riding a horse. Even with a bra beneath the tee, he could easily see the swell of her small breasts, the nipples puckered teasingly beneath the material. She’d worn a pair of soft gray sweatpants, and her feet were bare. Watching her thread her fingers through her loose ginger hair sent a frisson of heat down through him. And as she came into the kitchen to lend him a hand, Gray could smell the scent of her almond shampoo.

  “About ready?” Sky asked, feeling heat beneath his dark scrutiny.

  That was an understatement, Gray thought wryly as he handed her the bowl of salad. “Yes.”

  “I’ll get the dressing from the fridge,” she said, carrying the bowl to the table. Sky liked the way they worked with one another in the kitchen. She inhaled the scent of the Stroganoff sauce. “Mmm, that smells so good. I’m starved.”

  Wincing internally, Gray smiled a little as he took the pasta out of the boiling water in the sink. “Yeah, I am, too.” But for you. Not the food. Sky was sustenance for his heart, his soul. Once he brought over the pasta, Gray transferred and mixed it with the sauce. In no time, it was ready for the table.

  “I smell garlic bread in the oven,” Sky said, mouth watering as she picked up pot holders.

  “You do,” Gray said, taking the casserole dish to the table.

  “You’ll never be without a job, Gray,” she teased, pulling out the lightly browned French bread that had been slathered with butter, parsley, salt and bits of garlic. “Your mom sure did a great job teaching you how to cook.”

  He gave her a heated look as he brought down a plate and helped her put the garlic bread on it. “My mother is one hell of a chef. And I did enjoy being in the kitchen with her. I saw it as chemistry. She saw it as loving a dish with certain herbs and spices.”

  Sky took the bread to the table and sat down. Gray poured them each a glass of water. “Chemistry? Is that a boy thing? This all smells so good,” she admitted with a smile.

  Gray sat down at her elbow and took her plate, ladling out the beef Stroganoff. “I saw all those bottles of spices and herbs as chemistry,” he admitted. “Enough?” he asked.

  “Plenty,” Sky said, taking the plate. “Thanks.” Their fingers touched, and she eagerly absorbed the brief contact.

  “How’s Justin doing?” Gray asked, filling his own plate.

  “Great. I didn’t believe it but he rode his pony between his parents’ horses, and he wasn’t silent as usual.” Sky smiled warmly. “It was an amazing shift, Gray.”

  “Do you think he’ll stay open, or will he close down again when he goes home?” He passed her the garlic bread. Sky was eating well tonight, Gray observed, pleased. She was still at least ten pounds under her normal weight.

  Sky shrugged. “I don’t know. I hope for his sake, he stays open.”

  “Maybe this kind of stimulation is what he needed.”

  Sky poured some blue-cheese dressing over her salad. “I don’t know. I’m an R.N., not a psychiatrist. But I can hope this ranch experience helps Justin be more open.”

  He shot her a look. “It’s you, you know. Anything you touch, Sky, is better off for it.” Gray sure as hell was. Pink stained her cheeks. Tonight, he could feel how vulnerable and open Sky was.

  “That’s why I love being an R.N.,” Sky admitted. Her appetite was back, and everything Gray had made tasted delicious to her. Sky wanted to admit having Gray at her side made her feel so much stronger. More confident. She was never this way before, but now Sky knew the high cortisol was playing havoc on her emotional state. “I had lunch with Gwen Garner after I saw Jordana.”

  “Oh?” Gray smiled a little. “Was that by accident?”

  Sky laughed a little. “I met Gwen when I was walking to the door of Mo’s. Thought I’d catch a quick bite of lunch before coming back here.” Her smile dissolved, and her brows gathered as she looked over at Gray. “She told me some things that have me concerned.”

  Damn. Gray knew exactly what Sky was referring to. He’d wanted to keep that intel away from her because he could see the worry reflected in her eyes. “Gwen told you about Harper,” he said flatly, deciding not to play coy about it. That would only stress Sky out more because he could clearly see Sky was troubled.

  “Yes.” Sky held Gray’s dark gaze. He was unhappy. “Were you trying to hide the rest of the story from me because you thought it would stress me out?”

  “Busted,” Gray muttered, digging into his food. “Sometimes, I wish Gwen would be more careful about what she told people.”

  “Oh,” Sky said, raising an eyebrow, “I think she’s very careful, Gray. She’s got a nose like a wolf. She somehow senses that I like you, that we...uh...like one another.” It was much more than like, but Sky was afraid to go t
here yet. Her voice dropped. “Have you told anyone here at the ranch that Harper might possibly put out a hit on you?”

  Gray laid down his flatware and held her distressed gaze. “No. We talked about it, but Cade cautioned me not to say anything. At least,” he sighed, “not yet.”

  Sky lost her appetite and pushed her plate away. “This is serious, Gray.”

  “No one knows better than me, Sky.” He saw her face go pale and cursed to himself. “Look,” he said, picking up her hand and holding it in his, “I don’t want you going there, Sky. Don’t think the worst.”

  She tangled her fingers in his. “I already am,” she admitted sourly. “This afternoon when Justin was missing, I was wondering if Harper had kidnapped him to get even with you.” She saw his eyes flare with disbelief. “I know my emotional responses are over the top, especially when I think someone is threatened. I didn’t say anything to anyone. I kept it to myself.”

  Gray closed his fingers more tightly around hers. “I’m sorry Gwen told you that.” But Gwen didn’t know anything about Sky’s past, her torture or the fact she had PTSD. Giving Sky intel like this was bound to snap back on her and create paranoia. Because that was what cortisol’s job was in a human body: it kept the person alive. What better way than to create mild paranoia within them so they were more watchful, more alert?

  “I’m not,” Sky said stubbornly. “Okay, so I tend to go overboard sometimes, Gray. I know I do. I compensate for it. I wish...I wish you’d told me.” She gave him a hurt look. “I’m mature. I’ve handled this hormonal crap inside me so far.”

  Gray wrestled with his feelings. Looking up, he rasped, “Sky, the last thing I ever want to cause in you is hurt. I’m sorry. I’ve been where you are. I know how upsetting news about someone I cared about affected me. It affects you the same way. I just...” Gray sighed, his gaze pleading. “I didn’t want to pile anything more on your plate right now, Sky. God, you’ve got enough. I didn’t want to add my shit to it was all.”