Unwelcomed Greeting: A Riverton Crossing Novel

by Savannah Maris

  Mitchell came around to help her out of his truck. When she looked up, she saw a man a little smaller and older than Mitchell. Evan. He greeted her with a huge smile and his arms open wide. Evan and Thomas were good friends when they were in high school. He was like her second big brother.

  “Hey, sweet thang. How the hell are ya?”

  Kayla heard a growl come from behind her. “Hey! You know your brother hates when you call me that.” She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a tight hug.

  When she backed away and looked at him, he was eyeing his brother as he pulled her in for another hug. “I know. That’s why I said it.” He kissed her on top of the head.

  Evan held the house door open for them to walk through. She was inside when she hear the thud of Mitchell punching him. When she turned, Evan was rubbing his shoulder and Mitchell had a scowl on his face.

  She moved to take her bag from Mitchell. “If you tell me which room I’m sleeping in, I’ll drop my bag off.”

  “You’re sleeping in my room,” Mitchell said softly.

  “That’s my cue to go to the office. Come find me when you’re ready to talk,” Evan said.

  “Why would I need to sleep in your room?”

  “Mak, there’s so much we need to discuss. Where you sleep and why is the least of it. Right now, I think you need to let Thomas know where you are. If one of the people that gathered on the street after your close call tells him before you do, it won’t be good. It should come from you,” he said as he stroked the backs of his fingers down her cheek.

  “You’re right.”

  “Stay here and call him. I’ll go get Evan. We’ll be back in five.”

  She watched Mitchell walk off in the direction of his brother. She took a deep breath and prepared herself for the phone call she needed to make. Her fingers shook as she dialed the number.

  “Kayla?”

  “Hi.”

  “Everything okay?”

  “It is now. I called because you need to know that I’m at the ranch with Mitch. I didn’t tell Mom and Dad because I don’t want to scare them.”

  “Okay. Why would they be scared?”

  “Earlier tonight, someone tried to run me over.”

  “What the hell? Are you kidding me?”

  “No, I’m not. Mitch was there and tackled me out of the way, so no harm was done.”

  “I’m on my way! Did you file a police report?”

  “You don’t need to come. We’re filing a report in the morning. I wasn’t hurt, plus Mitch wants to print off the picture he took of the license plate.”

  “Shit, Kayla! Please tell me you’re alright. I can meet you at the hospital.”

  “I’m alright. Just a little shaken up, but I’m better now. I’m sure I’ll be sore tomorrow after being used as a tackling dummy.”

  “Tell Mitchell I’m glad he was there. Take two Advil and call me in the morning,” Thomas said, trying to sound calm.

  “You’re getting funnier. I will, Doc. Thank you.”

  “I love ya, sis.”

  “I love you, too. G’night.”

  Just as she disconnected the call, Mitchell and Evan walked in and they weren’t smiling. “This doesn’t look good.”

  “Mak, we don’t even know where to begin,” Mitchell said.

  Evan looked at each of them in turn. “I’ll start. Kayla, not too many people know, but you do. I’m ATF. After I finished at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, I was assigned to the Midwest. About a year ago, I started workin’ undercover on a case that involved Masterson Investments. They appeared on our radar because we’d see an increase in drug and gun activity everywhere they bought large tracts of land. ATF and DEA are part of a joint task force tryin’ to take ‘em down, and both were able to get guys on the inside. As an undercover agent, I was workin’ my way up in the organization when they started talkin’ about settin’ up another location on the East Coast. I started gettin’ nervous and lookin’ for a way to get someone else in. When they talked about the amount of affordable real estate available in South Carolina, I knew I had to get out.” Evan took a minute to let some of that sink in. “They look at small towns because they know the local law enforcement will be slacker than in a bigger city. That’s what they count on. When you combine the size of Riverton Crossing, the amount of large tracts of land available in the area, and its relation to major interstates and the coast, it’s the perfect location. I talked to my superiors, and well, they got me out. Now I’m here, but I have to stay under the radar. I don’t go out much because I don’t know who the local players are yet. Until I get reassigned, I’m on ice. No one knows anything, Kayla. You have to keep my secret.” Evan didn’t crack a smile as he told his story.

  “I knew you were federal, but not the branch. Why are you telling me this? What does this have to do with me?”

  “You mentioned that you told Mr. Dribble you were interested in the property on Old Pond Road and Chestnut Creek, right?” Mitchell asked.

  “Yes. He said there was interest in those parcels, but my parent’s land draws the most interest.”

  “We looked into those parcels. They’re small, less than five acres each. A developer can go in there, put in a few patio homes and make good money on them. Something you would and could do easily,” Mitchell said.

  “Masterson is big. Their shell company says they come in and build residential/commercial buildings or retirement communities. They look for a minimum of ten acres. There are only three parcels that fit that description around here,” Evan continued.

  “Riverton Ranch, my parents’ place, and who else’s?” The disbelief was etched in her voice.

  They both nodded. “The Hamilton place next door. Mak, Evan is going to see what he can find out. Until then, you’re staying here with me. I need you close. Please don’t go out alone,” Mitchell pleaded.

  “But why? What are they doing with the property? Why harass an elderly couple?”

  “They’re running guns and drugs, Kayla. We don’t really know why they’re harassing your folks, but let’s look at the properties. If you were on the outside looking in, which property would seem the easiest to get – an elderly couple’s whose children aren’t always around, a working ranch with a son at the helm who has interests elsewhere, or an active farm that the father and two sons work every day?” Evan responded.

  “I never thought of that,” she said.

  “I think we can rule out the Hamilton’s place, but I’m not so sure that it is your parents’ place they’re after. Maybe they’re just drawing attention there while planning something here. We know Dick is involved, but what about Curtis? He’s a local. He’d know how I…” Mitchell’s words just fell off.

  “He’d know how you what?” She asked.

  “How I feel about you, dammit! Again, something else we need to discuss.” He looked pointedly at her. “But not tonight.”

  “So you think Riverton Ranch could still be on the table? If that happens, I’ll be found out,” Evan said contemplatively.

  “Evan, we spent the day repairing four fences. I haven’t had a broken fence in two years. Not one. Now I have four? I didn’t take a close look at the wires to see if they were clean cuts or worn at the staples, but I will in the morning.” Mitchell paused for a moment then continued. “Fuck! Then someone tried to run you over right in front of me. No one knows Evan’s back, so they know all they’d have to do is shake me. How else to do that except through you? Anyone from around here would know if they messed with your family, you’d come home. They’d also know if they messed with you, I’d react. So they keep me occupied with you while messing with the ranch. Everyone knows I’d pick you over the ranch.”

  “You’d what?”

  “Hell, just add it to the list, sweetheart. Looks like we’ll be talking for days,” he tried to chuckle, but there was no humor in his voice.

  Kayla rolled her shoulders and rubbed the back of her neck. Her eyes closed instinctively. She was s
tarting to feel that tackle Mitchell laid on her. She didn’t know how late it was, but all of a sudden she felt as if she’d been up for two days straight. She guessed not getting much sleep last night just accentuated her fatigue.

  “Here. Take these.” Evan put two pills in one of her hands and a glass of water in the other.

  “Thank you.”

  After she swallowed the pills, Mitchell sat it on the table. “Mak, let’s get you to bed.” He grabbed her bag with one hand, then took her hand with the other, leading her down the hall to his room. She hadn’t been there in years, so she stopped and made a 360-degree turn. Not much had changed. Their pictures were still up. So were the ones of his family. When Evan was a senior and Mitchell was a freshman, they both played varsity football. Mitchell played full-time for the B-team but, on occasion, he’d play varsity. The picture from one of those times was there. Mitchell was that big and that talented. When she turned back to face him, she could see the longing in his eyes.

  “Why am I sleeping in here, Mitch?”

  “After what happened tonight, I’m not letting you out of my sight. Best-case scenario is that we sleep in this bed so I can hold you. That way we both get some sleep because I’ll know if you move. Worst case is I go brew a pot of coffee and rest on that couch,” he said, pointing at the leather sofa in his room. “At least that way I can watch over you all night.”

  “Mitch,” she sighed. She placed her head on his chest and he leaned down to kiss it. “I don’t want to be alone tonight. I think I’d sleep better with your arms around me.”

  “I know I would.”

  She smiled up at him. “Thank you.”

  “I’m going to start you a shower while you find whatever you’re going to sleep in.”

  “A shower will be nice.”

  “Mak.”

  “Yeah?”

  “It needs to be more than just panties. My plan is to just hold you tonight, so please don’t make it too difficult.”

  “Okay. I’ll see what I can do.” She gave him a little smile. It’s the best she could do right then.

  A few minutes later, the water was running and Mitchell stepped out of the bathroom. “You know we could conserve water if you let me join you in there.” He motioned with his head to indicate the shower.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea tonight, but I’ll leave the water on for you.” She shut the door quietly and looked around. Damn, he was right! This bathroom was even more luxurious than the bathroom in the apartment. It had a two-person shower with extra sprays surrounding the entire shower. The tub was larger, too. It was easily big enough for two people. She stepped in, and the water felt terrific. She went through the motions of washing her hair and body since she knew Mitchell was waiting to get in. She slipped on a pair of silk sleeping shorts and a silk camisole and walked into his room.

  A strained growl came from behind her. She turned quickly as he walked out of his closet in just his jeans. She blinked her eyes and swallowed. He was raking his eyes over her as she was doing the same to him. She knew he could tell how hard her nipples were just as she could see the erection in his jeans. “Well, hell. So much for this not being difficult.” He took a deep breath but did nothing to hide his arousal. She was still standing there with wide eyes as he cleared his throat. “I’ve emptied a couple of drawers over there for you,” he said as he pointed to the dresser. “There are some empty hangers in the closet for you, too. You can put your things away while I take a cold shower.”

  “Okay,” she said as he made his way to the bathroom. She didn’t move until she heard the door click shut.

  6

  The shower was as cold as Mitchell could possibly stand. He walked out of the bathroom in a pair of boxers under gym shorts. He knew there wasn’t much protection there, but at least they were baggier than his jeans. She was staring at him from the sofa with her knees pulled up to her chest.

  “You’re not in bed, and you’re wearing one of my shirts,” he said, noticing the edge of her silk shorts at the curve of her ass.

  “I finished putting away my clothes. I thought a shirt might help make things less difficult,” she said with a demure smile.

  “Mak, you just being in this room makes things difficult. So, why aren’t you in bed?”

  “I’ve got a thousand and one questions, Mitch. I need some answers before I can even think about sleeping.”

  “I thought Evan gave you some answers earlier.”

  “Yeah. He did, but you didn’t.”

  He sat on the opposite side of the sofa from her. “What do you want to know, sweetheart?”

  She stood and started pacing. “I don’t even know which question to ask first.”

  “What do you want to know the most?”

  She stopped and looked him directly in the eyes. “What you said earlier, did you mean it? Would you give up the ranch for me? Do you mean now or back then?”

  “Yes, I meant it. I’d give it up now, and I would’ve given it up then, too.”

  Her pacing resumed. “Oh my God. I did this. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Mitchell went to her. “You never asked me to, Mak,” he said quietly.

  “How could I? How could I ask you to leave a town you’re so much a part of? Or your family’s ranch that you love? I didn’t have the right to ask. How selfish would that’ve been?” Her hands came up to cover her mouth as tears fell down her face. She slowly started to lower herself to the floor when he reached down and lifted her into his arms. He pulled her to him and walked to the sofa where he settled her on his lap.

  “Oh dear Lord, I pushed you into the arms of another woman. You were with her because of me.” The sobs came harder now. He didn’t know if it was a buildup of the last couple of days or just their conversation.

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa. You didn’t push me into anyone’s arms. I wasn’t with her because of you, but only because you weren’t here,” he said. “It’s just as much my fault for not telling you how I felt five years ago. Dammit, Mak. I was just a man with needs. You weren’t here. I thought I was part of the reason you wanted to leave. So yeah, I spent time with Sally, but every time I was with her it was your face I saw. I know that makes me sound like an asshole, but she knew the score when we started seeing each other.” The sounds of her cries had slowed, but they were still there. “Shhh. We don’t have to talk about this tonight, sweetheart. I’m not going anywhere. You’ve had so much dumped on you already. This can wait.” He rubbed his hand up and down her back, and suddenly hated that shirt.

  “No, please. With everything else that’s going on, I just need to have a solid grasp on one thing. We’ve danced around this for years, and I love our dance, but I need some straight answers where we’re concerned. Please.”

  “What else do you want to know? I’ll tell you everything.”

  “Am I getting ready to sleep in a bed where you’ve been with another woman?”

  “What? God, no! You’re the only woman who has ever been in my bed.”

  With tears still pooled in her eyes, she caught his expression and knew he was telling the truth. “Earlier today, Curtis said that I was staying in your apartment. Was that true?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me? Was that your fuck pad? Did you take other women there?”

  “Shit. I didn’t tell you because I thought you’d be mad that I left the ranch when the ranch was the reason you didn’t ask me to go with you. No, it wasn’t a fuck pad. Other than you, Sally was the only girl I was with from around here. I never took her to my apartment or here. I feel like shit having this conversation with you, especially today.” Mitchell took a deep breath. “When I go to your house in the mountains, am I going to be in a bed where you’ve been with another man?” He couldn’t stop himself from asking. He felt he had a right to know as much as she did.

  Kayla had to ask, “Why do you have the apartment then?”

  “Sometimes I go to the bar and may have too much to drink.
It gives me a place to crash and not worry about a DUI. Plus, when Evan isn’t here and the men have gone for the day, the ranch can be a lonely place. I guess some days I just need a break from all the memories here.”

  “So, there are times you aren’t here at night? Times when someone could, say, cut some fences?” She asked with such a timid voice, almost as if she were scared to even think the question, much less ask it.

  “Fuck. Yeah, I guess so.” He’d have one of the hired hands check the fences the next day. Even though no one knew Evan was here, he avoided the men on the ranch anyway. Mitchell knew they were safe there. He just needed Mak to feel it, too. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

  “I know you won’t. I’m sorry I brought that up.”

  “No need to be. Have we calmed that brain of yours enough to get some sleep?”

  “I think so. I told you earlier, your touch calms me. Just…I just need to feel you.”

  He stood with her still in his arms and walked them to the bed. As he stood beside the bed, she slid down his body until her little feet hit the floor as he removed the t-shirt. “We’re not going to make love tonight, but I want to feel as much of you as possible.”

  “I thought that was too difficult?”

  “It’ll be fine, but if you wake up with something hard along the crack of your ass…” He shrugged as his words trailed off.

  Her eyes widened as her mouth fell open. Mitchell leaned down and gave her a soft kiss. He wasn’t trying to take this further, but he wanted her to know he meant everything they’d discussed. He wanted her, not just in his bed, but in his life. Permanently.

  “You still sleep on the left side of the bed?” He asked when she crawled in, then swatted her behind.

  “What was that for? I’m going.” She gave him a saucy little grin over her shoulder. Yeah, she still liked to play. They had plenty of time for that later. He slid in behind her and wrapped his arm around her while his hand slid up to cup her breast. He felt her gasp softly before she relaxed, and he knew they were going to be fine. Sleep washed over both of them in mere minutes.