by Joan Hohl
“To Hawk’s place.” He shot a flashing glance at her frown. “What? You expected Hawk to be living smack-dab in the middle of a superhighway?”
Bri’s frown turned into a scowl. “No, of course not,” she said, one hand gripping the edge of the seat, the other clinging to the dash in an attempt to keep from being flung back and forth within the confines of the seat belt like a rag doll.
“Just hang on,” Tanner said, his grip solid on the steering wheel. “It’s gonna get worse before it gets better.”
“I…d-didn’t…think it c-could get any worse,” she finished in a rush.
“Ah, honey, you’re in for a bouncy surprise.”
She sighed, ignored the cramping in her fingers and glared at him. “I told you not to call me ‘honey.’”
Tanner laughed all the way down the track to the valley that spread away from it at the bottom. Tucked on the leeward side of the mountain was a one-story ranch house much like the ones seen in Western movies.
Hawk’s place was hardly the small, run-down outfit Bri had been expecting to find. In the waning afternoon light she could see several rail-fenced corrals, all containing horses, their coats gleaming in the slanted sunlight. But the ranch was the least of the surprises in store for her.
Bri was so distracted by looking around the property she never noticed Hawk McKenna standing in the shadows of the wraparound porch until he stepped out into the light. At his side stood the biggest dog she had ever seen. More like a pony.
Her startled gaze watched man and animal as they sauntered toward the vehicle Tanner pulled to a stop.
Hawk was not quite as tall as Tanner, but slimmer, rangier. Though older, McKenna was every bit as handsome as Tanner, if in a different, somewhat rougher way.
Where the younger man’s appearance was sculpted, Hawk’s features had a harshly rough-hewn look. His hair was even longer but as clean and well kept as Tanner’s. Most startling of all, it was the same shade of brown and, in the golden glow of slanting sun rays, shot with streaks as dark-red as Bri’s own.
Tanner got out of the truck and the two men hugged like long-lost brothers. The dog, not barking or whining, just stood beside his master as if waiting for his turn to greet the company.
As soon as the men were done hugging and slapping each other on the back, the animal moved to Tanner. When he greeted the dog, it jumped up, front paws on his shoulders, standing almost as tall as Tanner.
“Hey, Boyo. No kisses, not on my face,” Tanner said, laughing as he twisted his head to avoid the excited dog’s eager reception. “Yeah, the hand’s okay.” Still laughing, he ruffled the dog’s coat.
Boyo, Bri thought. What kind of name was that for such a large dog? He was massive, formidable, his silvery-gray coat marked by small streaks of black. Fortunately the dog appeared friendly or she wouldn’t have considered stepping foot from the safety of the SUV.
Tanner’s sudden appearance at her door broke into her concentration on the animal.
“Brianna, are you getting out?” He grinned, pulled her door open. “Or are your fingers locked on the seat and dash?”
Startled from her inspection of the dog, Bri gave him a dry look and a blatant lie. “I’m afraid to move, since I feel as if every bone in my body was disjointed during the ride down here.”
“I thought maybe you were terrified by the sight of Boyo.”
“That, too,” she admitted. “But I see he’s friendly.” She frowned. “What kind of name is Boyo for an animal his size?”
“It’s Irish for boy,” he explained, laughing again. “Come on, Hawk will protect you.”
Lord, Bri loved the sound of his laughter. Steeling herself against her feelings, she took the hand he held out to her.
His hand wasn’t soft, his nails weren’t manicured as were the hands of her father and most of the other men she knew. His broad, long fingers were used to work, hardened and rough.
An image flashed before her with sudden clarity. His rough hands caressing her body, gripping her bottom to draw him closer as he crushed his mouth to hers.
A tremor shot through her.
“Are you cold, Brianna?” Tanner frowned, placing the other hand at her waist to steady her as she jumped to the ground.
“No…” Bri took a quick breath, stalling for time to come up with a reasonable excuse. “I’m hungry.” Was that reasonable enough? “It’s been a long time since lunch, don’t forget. Aren’t you hungry?” She stretched and took a few steps, easing the stiffness in her back from sitting so long and being jarred on the drive into the valley.
“Plenty to eat in the house,” Hawk said.
“Come on, Bri. Come meet Hawk.” Tanner gently took her by the arm to lead her around the SUV toward his friend. “And Boyo.”
Hawk McKenna had a solid handshake and a winning smile. For some inexplicable reason, she instantly both liked and trusted him. Something inside told her this was a good man. Something about him reminded her of Tanner.
Wait a minute. Tanner…good? Trustworthy? She had to admit her mental jury was still out on that verdict.
Boyo stood by his master, his long, black-tipped tail swishing back and forth, his body trembling in eagerness to greet her.
Bri tentatively reached out a hand to the animal to sniff.
“You may touch him,” Hawk said, his deep voice edged with amusement. “He won’t bite you.”
She touched the dog’s muzzle and was promptly rewarded by a swipe of his tongue. Laughing, Bri caressed his head, scratched him under his wide jaw and ran her hand over his back. The rough, wiry feel of his coat against her palm surprised her; he had looked so sleek and smooth.
“You have a nice spread here, Mr. McKenna,” she said, glancing up at him, her compliment sincere.
“Thank you.” He smiled at her before sweeping the property with an appreciative look. “It’s home.”
He led them to the house, Boyo in step on the far side of him.
“Welcome,” Hawk said as he pushed the door open, stepping back and sweeping his arm in invitation.
Boyo trotted into the kitchen, and within moments they could hear him lapping up water.
“Thank you.” Bri smiled at him as she stepped into what was obviously the living room. She glanced around her at the sparse yet homey decor.
“This is very nice,” she said, turning to smile at Hawk. “Navajo?” she asked, indicating a beautifully woven blanket hanging on one wall.
“Yeah,” Hawk answered. “A gift from a friend.”
“It’s lovely.” Bri smiled, moving forward for a closer look. “You have nice friends. That blanket must be worth a small fortune.”
“It is. And I do.” Hawk nodded and glanced at Tanner. “And Wolfe, there, is the friend.” He smiled, slow and easy. “Wanna tell Ms. Stewart what you paid for the blanket, Tanner?”
“No.” Tanner shook his head but smiled back. “He earned it, Brianna,” he explained. “He helped me track a man, a real badass, two years ago. The jerk was a multiple killer with a big bounty on his head.” He shot a dry look at Hawk. “I wanted to share the bounty with him. He said no but that he’d accept a particular blanket. You see—”
“Wolfe,” Hawk said, a warning in his tone.
“You don’t scare me, ole son, so save your breath.” Tanner grinned at him.
Hawk narrowed his eyes. Tanner’s grin widened.
Fearing that any second they’d be at each other, fists flying, Bri held a hand in the air in the signal to halt. “Don’t start anything here, you two. This house is too beautiful to wreck it in a free-for-all.” Her voice was soft but stern. “If you’re going to beat up on each other, take it outside.”
Tanner and Hawk stared at each other a moment, then roared with laughter.
Bri placed her hands on her hips, glared at the two of them and tapped one booted foot on the hardwood floor. “I do hope you’re not laughing at me.” Though pleasant, her voice held a sting.
“Wouldn’t dream of it,
ma’am.” Hawk was obviously fighting to contain a grin.
“Never gave it a thought, ma’am.” Tanner didn’t bother to hold back a grin. He laughed out loud.
“O-kay. I’ve had enough of your silliness.” Bri was having difficulty maintaining the laughter rising in her throat. “I need a bathroom first, a proper bath and something to eat. Oh, and my pack.”
Hawk slanted a sober look at Tanner. “She always this bossy?”
Tanner nodded, sighing. “’Fraid so. It’s enough to drive a simple man to distraction.”
Bri rolled her eyes and opened her mouth to blast the two of them. She wasn’t fast enough.
“Yeah.” Tanner gave a slow head shake. “I just don’t know what to do with her.”
Bri was torn between amusement and annoyance. She was silent just long enough for Hawk to get in another shot.
“Oh, buddy, I’d know what to do with her.” Teasing laughter danced in his dark eyes.
“Well, yeah, but—”
That’s as far as she let Tanner get. “But you’re going to be too busy getting my gear from the SUV. Right?” Her tone held a definite warning.
“Er, yeah, right, I’m on it.” Softly chuckling, Tanner turned and strode out the door.
“And I’m gonna finish supper.” Hawk headed for the kitchen, clearly visible in the open floor plan, flicking a hand toward a hallway on the far side of the living room. “Bathroom’s the second door to the left.”
“Thank you.” Bri headed for the hallway, hearing Hawk ask Boyo if he was hungry, too.
She was washing her hands, grimacing at her appearance in the mirror, when a soft knock sounded on the door.
“I’ve brought your pack, Brianna. Should I leave it here, outside the door?”
“No.” She opened said door as he finished speaking. “I’ll take it. Thank you.” She rewarded him with her most brilliant smile, took the pack and then closed the door in his face.
“Whoa,” Tanner murmured on an exhaled breath, thinking Brianna had the most beautiful and arousing smile he had ever had aimed at him. His jeans were suddenly tight, chafing him in a delicate part of his body.
The sound of the shower reached him through the door. Tanner imagined her standing under the tingling spray, naked and wet, the water sluicing down her slim body. Not only did his jeans get tighter, his chest grew tight, too.
Damn, get away from the door, Wolfe, before you explode and embarrass yourself by having to listen to McKenna laugh his ass off.
Drawing deep breaths and telling himself he could control his own body, his automatic reactions to a beautiful woman, Tanner gathered up the gear at his feet and headed to the bedrooms. He opened the door just enough to place Brianna’s gear inside the room Hawk had designated as hers, the one Cat stayed in when she visited. From there he went to his room, the one he always used when he stayed at Hawk’s place.
By the time Tanner nonchalantly strolled into the kitchen, he, aided by a cold shower, had worked his mind over matter…at least enough that it didn’t show.
“Your lady friend is something, Wolfe,” Hawk said, leveling a hard look at Tanner. “But why in hell did you bring her along on a hunt?”
“I didn’t have a choice,” he began, but apparently Hawk wasn’t hearing him.
“Are you trying to get that beautiful creature killed?” Hawk demanded.
Tanner sighed. “I told you, I didn’t have a—”
“Choice,” Brianna finished for him in a decisive tone. “I played the trump card.”
“Yeah,” Tanner muttered, turning to look at her. Brianna stood in the entrance to the kitchen area, her still-wet hair hanging straight down her back, her face free of makeup, but glowing from her shower.
“What trump card?” Hawk frowned, glancing between his two guests, who continued to stare at each other.
“Money,” they answered in unison.
Hawk arched his dark brows. “I like money,” he said, his voice laconic. “Though not enough to endanger a beautiful woman—or any woman, for that matter—by taking her along on a manhunt for a killer.” His gaze narrowed on Tanner. “How much money are we talking about?”
Tanner switched his steely stare to Hawk. “An impressive amount of money.”
Hawk smiled—well, almost—and turned his narrowed gaze on Brianna. “How much?” It wasn’t a question so much as an order.
“A million dollars.”
Tanner admired her cool composure. Not many people, men or women, could withstand that particular piercing look from Hawk. In the next few minutes, Brianna ratcheted up his admiration for her even further.
Hawk whistled. “That’s a lot of dollars.”
Flashing her traffic-stopping smile, she nodded in agreement. “Yes, it is.” The smile fled, replaced by a haughty expression. “I take it you disapprove.”
“I don’t disapprove of the money,” Hawk said with a quick shake of his head. “But I do disapprove of Tanner taking along a woman.”
“Yet there are women bounty hunters,” she retorted. “Are there not?”
“She used that same argument on me,” Tanner inserted, just to remind them he was still there.
Hawk flicked a look at him.
Brianna ignored him.
“I don’t approve of women bounty hunters, either. It’s too dangerous for a woman.”
“Indeed.” Brianna’s voice was icy.
“Yeah, indeed.” Hawk matched her tone.
Tanner grinned, not that either one of them noticed. They were too busy trying to stare each other down. This should be interesting, he mused, settling down in a kitchen chair to watch the battle of wills.
No one knew better than he that Hawk was nothing if not tenacious. On the other hand, Tanner had personal knowledge of how stubborn Brianna could be. Yes, indeedy, he thought, controlling an urge to laugh, this should prove very interesting.
Brianna sighed as if sorely tried. “As I pointed out to your friend, I have had excellent training. I am well equipped to take care of myself.”
With that, she had lobbed the ball into Hawk’s court. Tanner waited for the return volley.
Hawk slammed it back at her. “I don’t give a f—” He caught himself up short before finishing with, “freaking damn how well you’ve been trained. You don’t belong in the mountains, tracking a criminal.”
Whoa. Tanner stared at his friend in surprise. Hawk was losing his cool, and that didn’t happen often. Tanner decided it was time to referee this match.
“Okay, boys and girls,” he said, pushing himself from the chair to step between the two combatants. “Take a break. It’s time for a truce.”
“But, dammit, Tanner, it’s just not safe!”
“Save your breath, ole buddy,” Tanner said, shaking his head. “I went through all that with her, chapter and verse.” He shot a quick glance at her face, her expression one of detachment. “It’s like talking to a brick wall.”
“How charming, so complimentary,” Brianna coolly inserted. “But can we drop the subject now? I’m so hungry I could eat a…brick wall, maybe.” A smile teased her lips and danced in her bright eyes.
“Told you so,” Tanner said with a grin, chiding Hawk.
Hawk heaved a deep sigh. “I give up.”
“Good.” She rewarded him with a charming smile. Too soon.
“On one condition,” Hawk went on, challenge hard on his voice.
Bri narrowed her eyes. “What condition?”
Tanner frowned, wondering what Hawk was up to now.
“You take Boyo with you.”
“But…” she began in protest.
“Good idea, Hawk,” Tanner said, deciding it was time to end this match. “Brianna, Boyo is a good hunter. You know, the Irish wolfhounds were bred to hunt and bring down wolves and elk.”
“Wolves?” She shifted her gaze to the dog, who had cocked his head at the sound of his name. “Well, he certainly looks big enough and strong enough for it. But he doesn’t seem natured to
do that. He’s as friendly as a puppy.”
“Of course he is,” Hawk agreed. “Here he’s a big, sloppy sweetheart. Matter of fact, most wolfhounds are simply house pets these days. But take him out hunting, turn him loose on a scent, and he reverts to breed and can be one mean son of a—” Again, he caught himself from cursing. “He can be rough.”
“But…” she began.
Tanner smothered laughter to interrupt her. “You may as well give in, Brianna. Hawk can be as stubborn as you, maybe even more so.”
“Oh, all right. We’ll take Boyo…but only if I get food—pronto.”
Hawk slid a look at Brianna, a smile twitching the corners of his mouth. “Man, you’re tough. But you win. Food’s ready. Let’s eat.”
Tanner lost it and let loose the laughter he had been holding back.
Hawk followed in kind.
Brianna looked from one to the other before her laughter blended with theirs. She was first to regain control. “Okay, you clowns, what’s for supper?” She gave a dainty sniff. “Whatever it is, it smells wonderful.”
Hawk sobered except for a lingering chuckle. “It’s chili. Hope you like it spicy.”
“Love it,” she said.
Tanner wasn’t surprised. He’d figured Brianna Stewart wouldn’t have it any other way.
Five
Bri sighed with contentment as she dabbed her lips with a napkin. The chili was delicious. And spicy. She had hungrily finished off two bowlfuls, along with several slices of Hawk’s homemade corn bread.
“That was a wonderful meal,” she said to her host. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Apparently pleased with her response, Hawk pushed back his chair and stood. “Are you ready for coffee and dessert now?” He glanced from Bri to Tanner.
“Coffee,” Bri answered without hesitation. “But I couldn’t eat another bite.”
“Just coffee for me, too,” Tanner said.
When they had finished their coffee, Bri stood up and began clearing the table.
“You don’t have to help,” Hawk said.
“I know. But I want to do it.” She shooed him away with a hand. “You two go relax or something.”