by Ronie Kendig
It was stupid. Brothers fighting over the same girl.
But the girl was Roark. The futility of what he felt for her left him feeling whacked. Which is why he kept his distance all day, while she hung out with Willow and Range.
As quiet bathed the house, Canyon ventured from his self-imposed isolation with his golden retriever, Daisy, who plodded beside him as he headed to the backyard to throw the ball for her. His shoes thunked against the wood as he moved onto the back porch.
“Canyon’s on my team!” Leif’s shout stopped the hustle on the back forty, as it was called.
Stone, Willow, Range, and Roark turned as Canyon froze. Crap. He wondered where they’d gone. Sunday with the Metcalfes meant family time. Meant big meals. Meant nobody left till darkness came.
“We’re teaming up for football,” Stone said. “You game?”
“’Course.” Trudging down the steps, Canyon rolled his agitation over Range and Roark into a tight ball and pitched it into the cesspool of indifference.
“Dani and I will take Willow.” Range tugged the girls aside.
“Wait a minute. Two girls and a guy against three hard players?” Willow shook her head. “No way.”
Roark leaned toward Willow and whispered something. His sister laughed, then said, “We’re good.”
“They’re ready to be buried.” Leif flung the ball at Canyon, who snagged it from the air.
He glanced at the group as they lined up. “Where are Brooke and Mark?”
“He’s on a trip; she’s prepping for a case.” Stone clapped. “All right, let’s bring it.”
“Marie?” Canyon asked about Stone’s wife.
“Just play.”
In a squat, Canyon planted the ball on the ground. With three on three, it wouldn’t be bad, but it also wouldn’t be a fulfilling game, not with these odds.
Range, Willow, and Roark prepared.
“Ready … set … hike!” Canyon thrust the hide to Leif, then burst down the green. Running, he glanced back and spotted Stone running parallel to him.
Leif palmed the ball, lifted it, and sent it spiraling straight to Canyon. To catch it, he’d have to double back. He skidded and backpedaled.
Range and Willow were coming fast.
Stone cut in and blocked Range.
Willow continued the straight line for him.
Canyon launched into the air and caught the ball. He landed and rolled, came up and kept going. Close by he heard a grunt. Glanced back. Roark was within three feet. Without a thought, Canyon threw himself over the marked line for the goal.
“Touchdown!” Leif shouted.
On his back and staring up the sky, Canyon could only laugh. A hand came into view. He craned his neck and found Roark standing over him. “You’re ruthless. You think I’ll trust that offered hand?” With her help, he came to his feet. Considered her. “You’re good.”
“Sweet play.” Leif retrieved the ball and started back to the fifty yard line. “Guys one, others zip.”
Range jogged toward them. “Nice try, Dani. Nice try.”
Canyon stalked away, ready to pummel some more yardage—or his brother. Anything to get away from Range and Roark. If Canyon stood around, the buzzing in his head at seeing his brother take the lead with her would make him mental. In the huddle, he listened as Leif plotted their next play.
“We’ll need to keep an eye on Roark,” Canyon mumbled. “She doesn’t play like Willow.”
Stone chuckled. “No kidding. Willow plays for fun. Dani plays to win.”
The grin couldn’t be helped. She wasn’t afraid to try to take him down. They slapped hands and turned to the painted line.
“Come on,” Leif taunted. “We ain’t got all night.”
When the trio turned, Willow had the ball. She stuck her tongue at Leif and bent into position. Roark came up behind her.
Stone gave Canyon a knowing look, and he returned his brother’s sentiments. Almost in sync, Canyon and Stone backed up a couple of paces.
In play, the ball passed from Willow to Roark. She spun around and instantly, the other two gathered up. Seconds later, all three burst down the field.
Canyon scrambled to see who had the pigskin.
Easily, Stone took down Range. No ball. Canyon jogged after Willow and Roark. There! Under Roark’s arm. She was close to their goal. He pushed himself hard. Willow banked into his path. Leif nailed her. Canyon had to leap over them to keep going. He reached toward Roark. She looked back and jerked left.
“No!” Lips tight, Canyon lunged. Caught her shoulders. Pulled her down. They rolled and slid to a stop.
On her stomach, Roark didn’t move.
Canyon touched her arm.
Her shoulders bounced. Was she crying? “You okay?”
She flopped onto her back, laughing. Thrust the ball into the air. “Touchdown!”
“No way,” Leif said. “You went down before the line.”
Canyon didn’t care about the score. What he liked, what made him stare was the massive smile on Roark’s face, the exultant glow in her mahogany orbs.
Roark propped herself up on her elbows, looking down at her toes. “Check the smear marks.”
The others gathered around as Canyon pulled himself to his feet. Something knocked him sideways.
“What do you think you’re doing tackling her?” Red colored Range’s face. “It’s a friendly game.”
“Hey, back up, Range.” Stone stepped between the two, a hand on each chest as he nudged them apart. But then he looked at Canyon. “Maybe you should take it easy. Tackling—”
“It’s fine. I’m fine.” Roark’s voice stabbed the tension. “I thought this was a football game. Or is it junior high?”
Canyon stepped off. “She’s right. The point is good.”
“No way!” Leif growled. “That’s—you took her down before the line.”
“Give it up.” Canyon shot Range a frown. “It’s fair. Besides, we’re tied now. Let’s get it going. I plan to win.”
“Keep thinking that if it makes you feel better.”
He spun, staring down at the spunk that came in a package called Roark. “You don’t seem to realize who you’re playing against.”
“Enlighten me.”
Canyon smirked.
Stone tugged him back. “Leave it.” He pulled him around and walked him back to the line. “You pegged her. Glad you went after her. I wouldn’t have had the guts to tackle her.”
“If she wants to play with the big boys …” Canyon high-fived his older brother.
“Just remember”—Roark sauntered past them, twirling the ball—“big boys fall hard.”
Stone bent, touched the ground, and grinned at her. “Bring it, little girl.”
Uh-oh. Roark had no idea the man before her earned his way through his law degree on a football scholarship. This should be interesting.
Amusement sparked in Roark’s eyes.
Canyon wasn’t sure whether to call a time-out and regroup the guys or let this play out. His younger brother made the choice. Leif stuffed the hide into Stone’s hands. Within seconds, the teams flew into motion.
But Canyon held back, watched Stone’s challenge get met head-on. Literally. Roark charged him, dove into his gut. Canyon couldn’t help but laugh as she tried to knock Stone from his feet.
“All right, Mighty Mouse.” Stone patted her back. “I’ll give you an A for effort.”
Batting hair out of her face, Roark glowered at him. “I don’t need charity grades.”
Stone guffawed.
Roark lunged. Caught him off guard. His brother went down. Hard. On his backside.
Laughter roared through the late afternoon. Shock riddled Stone’s face. Slowly he pulled himself off the ground. He looked to be dusting off the humiliation as much as the dirt from his clothes.
“See?” Roark, arms propped behind her, grinned unabashedly at him. “I was right. Big boys fall hard.”
In sickening slow motion, Canyon wat
ched Range pull Roark into a laughing hug, then kiss the top of her head. Ready to vomit, Canyon stalked off the field. He might not have any latitude regarding his feelings for Roark, but he sure didn’t have to sit around and watch them get cozy. What if they got serious? Got married?
Abs tight, he ripped open the screen door—right off the hinges.
CHAPTER 10
Crack!
The screen door clattered to the wood porch. Dani brushed the hair from her face as Range released her. Heat slid through her face as she spotted Canyon’s hulk disappearing down the hall inside.
“Door’s been threatening to fall off for months,” Leif said with a laugh.
But Dani knew exactly why he’d left. At least, she thought she did. The reason was touching her shoulder. Well, to be precise, wrapped around her shoulder. Range had suddenly become quite comfortable with her. Too comfortable.
Rigid, she battled her first instinct—to slap Range’s hand away. Why was she so conflicted? It was like she couldn’t choose because the decision had been made for her. This wonderful family wanted her to be a part of their group, but as Range’s girlfriend. Not a horrible thing, but she didn’t want this brother. She peeked up at him as he talked with Stone and Willow, mumbling something about Canyon.
Stone went into the house after him.
Range shrugged and turned back to her. “Ready to eat?”
The Metcalfe family had it all—warmth, laughter, games, family, camaraderie. Everything she’d longed for as a little girl.
A buzzing noise seeped into the night. Range snatched a black device from his belt and grunted. “Man, I have to go.” He turned to Dani and touched her face. “I don’t want to leave you but they’ve called me up.”
Inclining her head conveniently removed his hand from her face. “I understand.”
He planted yet another kiss on her head. “Thanks.”
“We’ll cover for you.” Willow led Dani back to the covered porch where tiki torches flickered in the evening breeze and kept the mosquitoes at bay.
“Mighty Mouse,” Stone said as he and Leif stood. “We’re going to watch a real football game—we recorded this year’s Super Bowl. You want to see how to really play?”
“I wouldn’t want you to be embarrassed,” Dani replied, the retort so quick, she felt bad after she said it.
Stone laughed hard. So did Leif, and they managed to con her into coming inside. Seated amid the men, she let her gaze rest on the massive flat-screen TV, but her mind roamed the house. Where had Canyon gone?
Thud.
She glanced at the back door, once again seeing Canyon disappearing outside. On her feet before she could stop herself, Dani knew following him would look bad, so she headed to the bathroom. Washed her hands. Ran her fingers through hair. Then maneuvered her way back into the kitchen. Nobody had noticed her; they were too engrossed in the game. She eased the french doors open and stood on the porch.
At the foot of the stairs, Canyon grabbed a ball from the grass. He threw it, and the dog sprinted into the yard, circled, and returned with it in her mouth. After a half dozen throws, Canyon eased back onto the step. He pitched a few more.
Dani slipped onto the steps and sat. “It’s a beautiful evening.”
Though he flinched at her voice, Canyon watched the dog as she returned with the now-soggy ball. He shook it out and then tossed it again.
“Canyon?”
He glanced to the side, in her direction, but not at her.
“Why did you take my keys last night?”
“I like your car. Thought I’d give it a spin.”
Nice save. He seemed to have as much trouble talking about painful things as she did. “Someone at the ball … recognized me.” Jitters scampered through her veins. Why did she bring it up?
As the golden retriever reclined on the grassy yard, Canyon pulled his feet up a step and rested his elbows on his knees.
Fidgeting with the trim on her sweater, she pushed on. “All I could think of was diving into the water the night I escaped, wishing I hadn’t come up for air.”
Canyon nailed her with a fierce expression. “That’s why I took your keys.”
She tilted her head and whispered, “I know.”
He frowned. “Then why’d you ask?”
She scrunched her shoulders and leaned forward, arms resting on her knees. “You always seem to know what I’m thinking or feeling. I guess I just wanted to thank you.” Why wouldn’t he just talk to her instead of blasting his icy attitude? “I didn’t mean to intrude …” She started to get up.
“My brother’s wife is leaving him,” he mumbled, drawing her back down. “She had an affair and decided she liked the other guy better.”
“Stone?” Dani gaped. “Stone’s wife is leaving him?”
He nodded. “I can’t figure it out. From what I can tell, he did everything right, ya know? Lived by God’s Word, did mission trips before college.” Canyon ran his hand through his sandy blond hair. “My life was screwed up but it was my fault. I got what I deserved. But Stone? He had it all—bent over backwards for her. Worked his rear end off.” He shook his head. “I so wanted to be like him, make our parents proud. When Dad died, Stone stepped up to the plate and became the family spokesman.”
“Bet your mom didn’t appreciate that.”
Canyon snorted. “She put him in his place, but she appreciated his gesture. She’s very old school.” He looked up at the blanket of stars and let out a long sigh. “I’ve tried to get my life back on track, do what is good and right—for a change.” A soft laugh rattled between them. “I’ve never been exactly compliant, but after … A year ago, I renewed my commitment to God.”
“Is it working?”
Canyon shrugged. “I’m learning. Life hasn’t been entirely cooperative.”
“When is it ever? I’ll never forget when my dad announced he was marrying Abby. She was a senior in high school when I was a freshman.”
He watched her.
“My mother hadn’t been dead two years when Dad married Abby.” She pushed her fingers through her hair with a groan, then clasped them together. “Abby wanted the security and the prestige. Dad—I think it stroked his ego that someone as young and attractive as her would want him. But I don’t get why anyone would leave Stone. He’s intelligent, he’s rich, he’s handsome.”
Canyon’s eyebrow winged up.
“I mean—” She diverted her gaze. “That sounded wrong.”
“Yeah, it did.”
The tone of his words lured her into looking at him again. In the evening light, his profile was strong and stern. “You’re jealous.”
He gave a half chuckle-half snort.
“So, it was anger that drove you out here when Range had his arm around me.”
Canyon shook his head and watched the yard again.
“And why you stalked off during the game.”
He ran a hand over the back of his thick neck. “You seem to be enjoying this.”
“Yes.” But then she realized … “No.”
He tilted his head toward her but didn’t meet her gaze again, his straight Greek nose seemed to point to the thin lips permanently parked in that smirk of his.
“I don’t like seeing you jealous or angry.”
His blue eyes bounced to hers. “Why? Do I scare you?”
She smiled. “Only your anger.”
He nudged her shoulder with his. “Well, don’t worry. I’m not violent.”
“How …? That night you found me cutting, how did you know what I was doing? I mean, I get the medic skills, but it was like … you understood.”
He drew in a long breath and slowly let it out. Fidgeting with his sleeve, he unbuttoned the left one and turned it back. Then a second time. Was he ignoring her question?
Gradually, a tattoo peeked at her. Fisting his hand, he flexed his muscle and angled his arm toward her. At first, she only saw the wings and sword, but then the light hit his forearm just right. And ridges see
med to rise from his flesh.
“What …?” Dani tucked her hand under the crook of his elbow and touched the ribs of the wings. “What is that?”
“I tried the same thing you did about four years ago.”
“You tried to end your life?”
He cocked his head at her. “That surprise you?”
“Yeah.” Her gaze collided with his. “I’m glad you didn’t succeed.”
Only inches apart, arms partially entwined still, their eyes were locked. “Why’s that?”
“I never would have met you.”
When Canyon’s gaze dropped to her mouth, hope took flight. His breath dashed against her cheek. Warmth soaked her muscles as she anticipated the kiss he seemed to be considering. His touch was firm as he used two fingers to angle her chin up. Nervous jellies swarmed her stomach.
His lips swept over hers.
Thrilled—yes, he felt the same way!—and eyes closing, Dani leaned into his kiss that caressed her mouth, warm, hovering, then pressing. Why did everything with this man feel right and beyond wonderful? Something about him, about his gaze, his touch, spoke to her. To all the wounded places in her heart.
His hand trailed along her jaw—
Canyon jerked back. Turned away. Hung his head. Cursed. He shoved to his feet, hustled down the steps, and stalked to the white fence that separated the open yard from the small garden closer to the house.
Following him, Dani tried to gather her wits and roiling emotions against the heat that had blossomed at their intimacy. “Canyon?”
At the fence, he gripped the rail and arched his back.
“What—why—what’d I do wrong?”
He kicked the dirt. Rattled the fence with a growl.
“What’s wrong?”
Head down, he rested his mouth against his upper arm. “Range,” he ground out. Snapped straight. “I can’t do this.” He looked at the sky, hands on his belt. “I gotta go.” Running a hand through his hair, he stalked toward the front of the house.
Unable to move, feeling jilted, cheated, and used, she struggled against the tears burning her eyes. Range. This was because of Range. Canyon, the man she wanted to be with, the man she was falling for, the perfect gentleman, wouldn’t cut in on his brother. And how did Range ever decide she was his girl? Because he’d made his moves and Dani didn’t oppose him?