Denying the Devil

by Calle J. Brookes

  “We’ll hitch it to my truck, and I’ll tow it back to your father’s ranch. I can get Matt out, and we’ll both take a look at it this weekend. In the meantime, Pan’s is still sitting in the drive.” His brother had bought her sister a small SUV. With Pan in Hollywood at the moment, it was just sitting there.

  And it was a hell of a lot safer than Perci’s little car.

  He made quick work of hitching the car to the back of his truck. It would have to be flat-towed. Not the best option in the rain, but they were only twenty miles down a mostly deserted road. Her father’s place was at the end of that twenty miles, and she had a few uncles and cousins in between. They shouldn’t pass too many other cars—and those they did would most likely all be Tylers.

  Some of his tension lessened. He might not have liked many of her male cousins because of previous interactions, but he’d say this for them—they took care of each other. She’d have been ok.

  It was just hard for him not to worry about her. To want to protect.

  They climbed into the cab of his truck. He grabbed a blanket from the backseat and tossed it at her. “Cover up. I’ll turn the heater on. You look half drowned.”

  “I feel half drowned. The car slid. It got a little hairy there.”

  His tension flooded back. Nate tightened his hands on the wheel. “You sure you’re ok?”

  She nodded. “I just don’t like driving at night in the rain.”

  Because of her mother, no doubt. He hadn’t missed the cross standing above her car on that hill. “You’re ok, now, baby. I promise.”

  He’d never meant anything more than what he said right then.

  She visibly shivered again. Nate shocked the both of them when he pulled her against his chest and held her for a moment.

  Thin arms went around him, and she pressed even closer.

  “I know. Thank you for coming to get me.”

  “Anytime you need me, I’ll be right here.” Nate looked down into Tyler blue eyes. “I mean that.”

  His world shifted just a little to the left when he realized that having her in his arms was the most right thing he’d ever felt.

  Perci had fast become his world, and Nate had just accepted it two hundred percent.

  21.

  SHE WAS FINALLY STARTING to relax. The instant he’d pulled up—and she’d known he would, from the moment she’d decided to call him, and not his brothers—some of the fear and tension had left her. He’d looked so big and strong and perfect when he’d climbed out. Ready to conquer the world.

  Or at least help her out.

  She should have called her father. Or anyone other than him. They would have been closer. Easier. But it had been Nate who she’d wanted to call the most.

  So she’d called him. And there he was. No questions asked. He’d just...come for her.

  Just like she’d known he would. “I called my dad after I spoke with you. He’s home now.”

  He pulled in to her father’s drive and backed her car into the space in front of what remained of the small barn. It had once been the oldest structure on their property, built by her great-grandfather.

  Until Jay Gunderson had burned it down.

  Every time she looked at it, she was reminded of what had happened. The investigation was finally over. They were just waiting on the insurance money to have it removed.

  She couldn’t wait.

  Perci still had nightmares about that barn. The moment when she’d known her twin sister was going to die had been one of the worst moments of her life—it had her waking in a cold sweat more nights than not. And nauseated.

  No doubt Pip was having similar dreams, too. They always did.

  Or they used to, when they shared every single day together.

  She missed her twin more than she had ever thought possible, but she was thrilled Pip was so happy. Matt beyond adored her sister. And that was what mattered.

  They were all happy.

  It was only Perci that still felt off.

  Maybe it was only she that was having the nightmares.

  “Stay there. I’ll get you over the mud.”

  “I’m ok.”

  “You’re wearing your tennis shoes. Stay.”

  She stayed, even though she didn’t like him being so heavy-handed. He opened her door, and before she knew it, hot hands were wrapped around her waist.

  Nate guided her out of his ridiculously big farm truck like she was helpless and swung her over the mud. Her father really needed to get the driveway regraveled whenever they got the money.

  Thunder cracked overhead, and lightning shot across the sky. Perci squeaked like an idiot.

  Nate’s hands tightened on her waist, and just like that, he pulled her flush up against his chest. “You all right?”

  Oh, yeah. Being held by a gorgeous, strong, kindhearted man who’d rushed through the storm to rescue her was never going to be all wrong. Perci wasn’t stupid.

  She most definitely was attracted to this man.

  He had the power to change everything about her world, and she damned well knew it. “I’m ok. Just ready to get home.”

  He snorted. “You are home.”

  She’d meant...heck, she didn’t know what she meant. “Don’t be a butt. I meant...”

  Nate’s hands tightened on her waist and lifted. Until they were almost mouth to mouth, with the rain pouring down all around them. He kissed her and pulled back so quickly she almost thought she’d imagined it. Then he swung her down to the grass next to the drive. “Let’s get inside before we blow away.”

  He wrapped a hot hand around hers and pulled her to the door of the only home she had ever known.

  Her fingers fumbled on the door. Nate shifted to block the pouring rain from her.

  Protecting.

  Why did he always feel the need to protect her? So many times in the last year or so he had done whatever he could to put himself between her and any danger that existed out there.

  She’d noticed it each and every time. And each and every time she didn’t know how to feel. It seemed like they’d fought so much.

  Or...they used to. They hadn’t in recent weeks. She was just so tired of fighting everything anymore.

  It felt like she’d been fighting since the night her entire world had changed alongside a dangerous, rain-slicked mountain road.

  Sometimes the only thing that had kept her going was fighting.

  She pushed open the door and stepped into the entrance of her home. She, Pan, and Pip had rearranged the furniture a bit after both Phoebe and Phoenix had moved out. Nothing had changed since Pan and Pip had left themselves, though. Perci hadn’t wanted it to.

  Her oldest sister was sprawled in the floor, their youngest brother Parker next to her. Ivy was spread out on the floor, giggling.

  Perci smiled instinctively at the happy sound. Ivy didn’t laugh often, but when she did, it was contagious. “Hey, is this a private party?”

  Ivy squealed and rolled to her belly. She jumped up in that springy way kids had and hurled herself toward Perci. “Mama Perci! Mama!”

  Before Perci could blink, she had an armful of little girl. Perci hugged her back, trying to keep up with the excited babble. She’d process the mama later. “Hi, baby. Did you have fun with Phoebe?”

  “Aunt Pee-be can’t hear Ivy good. I have to yell. And Pee-be no hit for yelling.”

  “Nobody hits for yelling here. Nobody gets to hit here ever. I promise.” She hugged Ivy then gasped when the little girl dove toward the man next to her.

  “Daddy Nate!”

  Nate’s hands were there to catch the little girl, as if Ivy had known they would be. Tears sprang to Perci’s eyes at the way the trust in the child’s actions was just so...there. Ivy was trusting them.

  Just like Perci was beginning to trust him.

  Her whole world rocked on its axis when her eyes rose to his.

  22.

  JUDITH HOPEWELL PULLED into the Masterson ranch and took a long look around.
This was her first visit to this part of the county, though she had certainly heard of the four Masterson brothers. Every woman knew about the Masterson brothers. Gossip just saw to that far too easily.

  She knew the sheriff from her work as one of the only three social workers assigned to the entire Masterson County area, though she normally handled cases in the northern part of the county.

  He was a nice man, good at his job, and fair in his dealings with everyone.

  This was the second time she’d met his brother, the doctor. He had a file with her office, but only in a good way. He and his three brothers had all been approved as foster parents for teenage boys in need. She just hoped what she was about to find worked out well for all of them.

  They didn’t have a single available bed for an almost three-year-old girl anywhere within the county. Everyone in the town was either unable to take on another child, or they weren’t approved for an additional child or one that age. All she could hope for was that the Masterson family was willing, at least for the time being.

  Levi Masterson was the foster parent on record, but his brothers had been approved, as well. Their wives hadn’t yet, but that could be remedied quickly, if needed. It was the best situation she could hope for. On paper, anyway.

  What was happening inside that house remained to be seen. If Ivy wasn’t adjusting or wasn’t safe, then she would have to be moved. It wasn’t Jude’s first choice, but she’d made it before. Some foster homes were better equipped for different ages than others.

  Sometimes all she did lately was make the difficult choices.

  She wasn’t certain how much longer she was going to be able to do this job. Far too many times lately, it had been the kids who were the ones who ultimately lost.

  A truck pulled in behind her. Jude turned toward it.

  A big man handsome enough to make even her immune heart pound for a second stepped out of the driver’s side. A small redhead exited from the passenger side. The woman immediately went toward the backseat.

  A blond-haired child clung to her when the woman stepped back.

  Ivy.

  Jude took a moment to study the little girl that she had known about for well over a year now. Had been waiting to help for most of that time.

  It wasn’t the first time she’d met Ivy North. Nor did she suspect it would be the last time. Now, though, she hoped it would be a better future for the little one than she’d predicted before. Ivy’s parents hadn’t stepped over the line enough for immediate intervention. They’d had to go through other processes first.

  Until this time.

  Ivy was babbling to the woman carrying her—Jude vaguely recognized her as a nurse from the hospital that she’d seen a time or two, but never spoken to—and Jude could hear the giggles over the sound of the rain.

  She’d never heard Ivy giggle like that.

  The little girl had been with the Mastersons for three days now. Apparently, it was helping.

  Some of the tension and worry Jude had felt about having the girl placed in a home she herself hadn’t vetted lessened.

  She stepped off the porch toward the big man and held out her hand. “Dr. Masterson? I’m here for Ivy.”

  23.

  NATE’S HEART FROZE for a moment. He watched Perci’s arms tighten around the little girl who it was obvious she adored, like she was never going to let Ivy go. He put his hand on her back to reassure, though if the social worker was truly there to take the girl, there wasn’t anything he or Perci could do.

  “In what way?” he asked, as Perci hurried up the steps and carried Ivy inside out of the rain. The social worker, a dark-haired woman a few years older than Perci and a few inches taller, smiled. She had a pretty smile, and big green eyes behind thick-rimmed glasses. Pretty, but terrifying.

  She held Ivy’s future in her hands, and he knew it.

  “I’m here to check that Ivy is settling in all right, and get some paperwork taken care of.”

  He ushered the woman inside behind Perci. Perci had already sat Ivy on the couch and was pulling her little raincoat off. “I think she’s doing well. She’s healing. During the day when Perci and I are working, she’s staying with Perci’s sister, my sister-in-law Phoebe. The sheriff’s wife.”

  “Is Perci living here, then?” The social worker glanced toward the two in the living room.

  He knew what she saw.

  “No. She’s staying to help Ivy adjust, at least until her sister Pan arrives. Perci was the nurse most often in contact with Ivy, and the two had bonded. Since she’s family, and has stayed here before, it has worked out well.” He didn’t know what to say. He wanted what was best for the little girl more than anything. “Is there another family available? Anyone from her birth family?”

  The social worker hesitated. “Mrs. North is going to prison for a long time, Dr. Masterson. Not only for charges in this state, and Montana, but she skipped bail in Colorado on aggravated assault charges four years ago. She’ll be extradited there. We’ve already spoken with her, and she’s decided to sign a termination of parental rights form. We’ll be identifying an adoptive family for Ivy as soon as that’s finished.”

  “No biological relatives?”

  “None identified as suitable candidates. That can change as we go through the process, of course, but Mrs. North indicated that she is an only child with no close relatives and her husband was a ward of the state of Texas. So...barring any sudden barriers, she’ll go up for adoption as soon as we can make it happen. It should be an easy transition, as she’s healthy and...young.”

  He understood; the sooner Ivy was adopted, the sooner she would have stability.

  The little girl came barreling into the kitchen. “Mama Perci has to potty.”

  Nate scooped her up, inhaling the scent of clean child and cookies. Phoebe had no doubt given her cookies at some point today.

  Ivy snuggled against his chest and eyed the social worker warily. “Who you?”

  Nate rubbed her back gently. He knew she was afraid. He could feel it. “This is Ms. Hopewell, little Miss Ivy. She’s here to check on you.”

  Ivy just blinked. “Want Mama Perci to hold me.”

  PERCI RETURNED TO THE kitchen in time to hear Ivy’s demand. Her first instinct was to take Ivy from Nate and just hold her tight. So she did. She wasn’t ready for the idea that this woman in the middle of Nate’s kitchen could take Ivy and spirit her away.

  Ivy’s stay with the Mastersons was temporary.

  Even though Ivy just seemed to fit.

  Belonged. Ivy almost seemed to belong right where she was.

  Perci settled Ivy into the booster seat her father had found in the attic of their home and grabbed a washcloth. Ivy’s hands needed washed, before anything else.

  Dinner was simple enough to prep, thanks to Pan’s obsessive need to plan everything. It was right there in the fridge, waiting

  She busied herself the best she could. “How long?”

  The woman looked at her. “Excuse me?”

  “How long will it take before she has a more permanent home? She’s settling in here. She’s comfortable. Safe. I’d hate to see that disrupted, if she’s just going to sit in foster care for a while.” It was a crazy idea, but her first instinct was to take the little girl herself. Do what she had to in order to get Ivy at her father’s ranch.

  The idea was as crazy as any other she’d ever had.

  Her home wouldn’t compare to one with a mom and dad. An established family that didn’t struggle to buy peanut butter, let alone new tires for her eighteen-year-old car.

  Ivy deserved more than what Perci could give her—even if they would let her have her.

  Ivy would be better off staying right where she was. But that would put a huge burden on Pan, who was just now settling in with her new husband.

  Another family would be the best fit, no matter how much it hurt to think about. For Ivy, Pan, and Levi.

  In just the span of three days Perci had fallen in love with
that little girl, and she wouldn’t deny it.

  “We’ll try our very best to make sure she’s with people who love her.”

  24.

  JUDE COULD READ THE pretty redhead like an open book. Perci Tyler was one of those who did love that little girl.

  The other was the man looking at Perci like she was his entire world. Did Perci realize that?

  Jude knew the story of the Masterson brothers and the women who they had married. She knew the rumors about these two, too.

  If all went as everyone assumed it was going, they’d be married soon, too.

  What could it hurt for Ivy to find her home with them? They were already bonding. It was in the way the child looked at them. The way they looked at her.

  The way they looked at each other.

  Jude had seen many families in her four years as a social worker. Mostly at the worst times in their lives. She’d seen kids in such appalling conditions she still had nightmares where those kids weren’t rescued in time.

  Ivy had been one of those kids, but her mother had never quite crossed over the line until now. And background checks under the woman’s name hadn’t turned up anything initially. Until the sheriff had given her the woman’s aliases, as well as arrest reports going back more than a decade.

  Jude would be questioning the other women in her office on how that had been missed, the first chance she got.

  Now it had all come to a head.

  Leaving Ivy blowing in the wind.

  Jude took a quick, surreptitious look around.

  This home was a good one. Comfortable and welcoming. Perfect for a child to grow up in.

  If she had the right parents, of course.

  “Dr. Masterson, you’re a state-approved foster parent, I believe?” She knew he was. She’d made it a point to know everything she could about the man before she’d stepped foot on his property today.

  “Yes. For teenagers. Boys.”

  “We can amend that now. If you are prepared to assume full responsibility for Ivy until an adoptive placement can be found?” It could take up to two years before that happened. Jude knew the statistics far too well. She hated the idea that the little girl could potentially be bounced around for that long. They were taking some liberties today, but she would handle it. It was in the best interests of the child, after all. Which was all she was really after. “It can take several months for that to happen. Would you be able to manage?”