Callum (Cowboy Tough Book 1)

by Vanessa Devereaux

  “No, that’s fine.”

  “My mom’s just about to take a huckleberry pie from the oven if you want some.”

  “Huckleberry?” asked Olivia.

  “You’ve never tasted huckleberry pie before?” asked Sloan.

  Olivia shook her head. She thought she’d tasted every berry known to man but she hadn’t even heard of one called huckleberry.

  “It’s a local delicacy. The bears love them too. The ranch has a load of bushes so they’re free and mom makes a couple of pies a week when it’s huckleberry season. Come on let’s go grab some before my brothers and dad realize she’s baked one.”

  Olivia had to admit if what she smelled was the pie baking, then yes, she’d love a slice. She followed Sloan out into the kitchen and hadn’t realized that Callum had arrived until she saw him at the sink washing his hands. Another man who she assumed was Sloan’s father was removing his cowboy boots.

  “We’ll take two slices of huckleberry pie,” said Sloan. She pulled a chair out for Olivia and signaled for her to sit. Callum turned around and looked straight at Olivia.

  “Glad to see you arrived okay,” said Callum.

  He looked sweaty and had some dirt smudged on his cheeks, his hair was in disarray, but all three things made him look like the sexiest man in the world. She hoped he didn’t stop by the house all the time or this was going to make it even harder for her not to look at him, and maybe impossible not to weaken to his cowboy charm.

  “Hi Olivia, I’m Sloan’s father Glen,” he said, walking over to her. “I’d shake your hand but I think you’d prefer I wash it first.”

  “I’m assuming you two also want pie too,” said Sloan’s mother, Marie.

  “We sure do,” said Glen.

  “I’ll get the ice cream,” said Callum. “That is if you have any.”

  “When have you ever known this house ever be without a tub of vanilla ice cream,” said Marie.

  She placed five plates, each with a generous slice of pie on them, on the table. Callum brought over a tub of ice cream as Sloan’s parents sat and then Callum slid in next to her causing their thighs to brush and igniting a feeling Olivia hadn’t experienced since she’d first met Mark. She made a fist, hoping that Callum or anyone else didn’t see her. Mark who’d swept her off her feet, Mark who had turned into something she never would have imagined. No man would fool her or even if her body reacted to him.

  “Ice cream for you Olivia?” Callum asked.

  “Just a small scoop,” she said.

  “This will be Olivia’s first taste of huckleberry pie,” said Sloan.

  “You’re kidding,” Glen said.

  “No, first time I’ve even heard of a huckleberry,” Olivia said.

  “They are perfect in everything,” said Callum. “Bears have very good taste.”

  Olivia took her first bite and fell in love. The pastry melted on her tongue and the huckleberries were light and flavorful. The ice cream melted over the still warm pie. Her tongue and senses were in heaven.

  “How’s the house renovation coming along?” Glen asked.

  “Fine. We even found some of gran’s homemade pickles and jam.”

  Glen laughed. “That lady was somewhat of a hoarder to say the least. I think it’s a throwback to the old pioneer days and not wanting to waste a single item.”

  “I hope it’s not too much work for you,” Olivia said.

  “Nope, I have fun renovating old stuff,” Callum said.

  Olivia got a whiff of aftershave with a slight undertone of sweat where he’d probably been working hard. It was such a manly combination it too reminded of when she’d first met Mark. How she’d smell the pillows in her apartment after he’d left and she knew she wouldn’t see him until the following week. As soon as she got up each morning, she’d put one to her nose and dream about him. Lucky thing that Callum didn’t wear the same aftershave as Mark did or the mere whiff of it would have sent her into a panic.

  When he’d turned into the angry monster, sometimes she’d hide in the cupboard in the frog part of the house hoping his rage would pass but she’d smell his scent invading the room and know he’d find her any second and the beating would begin.

  “Olivia and I are going shopping on Saturday,” Sloan said.

  “That should be fun,” said Marie. “There’s a new boutique opened in town. Some ritzy place that a woman from out of town just opened. I think she used to be a fashion writer.”

  “Then she’s probably charging out of town prices too,” Glen said. “Seems like there’s an outsider arriving here every day.”

  Olivia hoped he didn’t include her. She in no way was rich enough to open a store and push lower prices higher.

  He took another scoop of ice cream and let it slide onto the last remaining piece of his pie. “I’m sorry Olivia that probably sounded rude of me. I’ve got nothing against people moving here. It’s just those what do you call them, yippees.”

  Both Sloan and Callum laughed at the same time, similar types of laugh, and for the first time in what seemed like forever, Olivia almost laughed too.

  “It’s yuppies, Dad,” Sloan corrected him.

  He waved his hands around. “Well whatever, I don’t like them elbowing their way in here and pushing up prices of everything, including clothes. Which reminds me that you and your brothers are to pick the very best suits for the wedding. I don’t want you looking shabby at a Nolan event,” said Sloan’s dad.

  “I guess I should get you up to speed,” said Sloan. “The Nolans are our neighbors to the south of the ranch and they’ve been feuding with us Monroes for every one hundred years.”

  Olivia guessed that was a long time to not get along but she had heard that things were crazy when the West was first settled.

  A baby’s shrill cry broke the sudden silence.

  “Kyle’s awake and once I’ve fed him I guess I should be getting home so I can do some studying.”

  Sloan stood and left and suddenly Olivia was nervous about being left alone with strangers who she’d be living with until the house was ready for her to move into.

  “Has your sister given you any clue as to who fathered Kyle?” Glen whispered.

  Callum shook his head as Glen tapped his fingers on the table.

  “She’ll tell us when she’s ready,” Marie said.

  “Makes me wonder who it could possibly be. I thought I recognized someone I knew when I looked at the little guy today but maybe that’s my imagination,” continued Glen.

  “I think it might be someone who she doesn’t think we’ll approve of so let’s just leave it at that shall we,” whispered Marie.

  “You don’t think it could be…”

  Glen’s voice trailed off when Sloan came out from the hallway carrying Kyle.

  “Oh, who’s a sleepyhead,” Marie said, stroking his leg.

  Olivia had to admit whoever his father was he was missing out on enjoying this handsome little baby’s company.

  “Okay, I am taking this little guy home and Olivia, I’ll be by on Thursday morning to drive you to the rehab clinic. Bye everyone,” Sloan said.

  She was gone and now Olivia was well and truly on her own in unknown territory.

  “Can I help you wash these plates?” she asked Marie.

  “No, no honey, your shoulder needs to heal and you need some rest. Callum why don’t you take Olivia to the family room and show her how to turn the TV on and where the DVDs are kept, in case she wants to relax and watch something while we’re out or busy.”

  “I’d love to,” Callum said. Before she knew it his hand was on the small of her back encouraging her to head toward the stairs that led to the lower level of the house.

  Once down there, Callum turned on the lights and Olivia saw that the double sliding glass doors overlooked the yard and in the distance you could see the mountains, some caps had snow on them. Everywhere were family photos and it made Olivia long for a normal life like the one Sloan and Callum had.

/>   “Okay, the DVDs are in this case here. As you can imagine a huge collection of westerns, but Mom likes mysteries so you have your pick of those too. The TV and DVD player is controlled by this one remote control here and presto one button turns this on, press twice and it switches to movie mode.”

  She wasn’t listening but instead watching his fingers and imagining them on her. Not hurting her but bringing her pleasure. Without realizing it, her panties were beginning to grow damp and her nipples hardened.

  “Something wrong?” Callum asked.

  “No why?”

  “Just that you look flushed. You’re not running a temperature are you? I mean could your shoulder be infected?”

  Was it that obvious that her face had flushed? No, infection just erotic thoughts about you and your fingers and hands.

  “No, I think it’s maybe I got a little overheated but I’m okay now.”

  “Did Sloan give you a tour of the rest of the house?” Callum asked.

  “Yes, she did.”

  “Oh, and there’s also a bunch of board games in the cupboard there if you ever want to play any. Well, playing them on your own isn’t much fun so if you need someone to play with just let me know and we’ll have a game night. We haven’t done that for ages so I know everyone will enjoy it.”

  Olivia almost gave her second smile of the evening. Life seemed so simple and laid back for Callum. Nothing was complicated, game night even brought joy to his face.

  “You want to stay down here and watch TV because I have to get back to renovating the house.”

  “No, I think I’ll start to unpack my stuff and put it in the closet.”

  Once again he put his hand on the small of her back as she made her way up the stairs into the kitchen where Marie was wiping dishes and Glen was putting his boots back on.

  “I just want to thank both of you for allowing me to stay here,” Olivia said.

  “It’s going to be a pleasure having you with us. Actually it prevents us from suddenly feeling like empty nesters now that Sloan’s moved to an apartment,” Marie said.

  “Think of this as your house and us as your family,” Glen said. “Speaking of which I hope you’ll be coming along to the Nolan wedding we’re all invited to. In fact, Callum doesn’t have anyone to accompany him and I’d love to see a pretty young thing like yourself on his arm for the event.”

  Panic washed over Olivia. She couldn’t be his date, but at the same time after their kindness and hospitality, she couldn’t turn their son down.

  “Perfect excuse to buy yourself a dress when you go shopping,” added Marie.

  “What do you say?” asked Callum.

  “I’d be happy to,” were the only words Olivia could get out of her mouth but now she wanted to run to her new room, put her head under the pillow and then look out from under it hoping she’d just imagined she’d hadn’t really gone back on her word about never going on another date.

  Chapter Six

  Callum knew that his parents were both playing matchmaker. Shane had married young and been divorced within the year when he found his wife cheating on him. Callum guessed that had put the other Monroe boys off of matrimony and he knew his parents were eager for them to settle down. At least Sloan had taken off some of the pressure by presenting them with a grandchild, even if the identity of Kyle’s father remained a mystery.

  Olivia had made it clear that she didn’t want to get involved and her easy acceptance about accompanying him to the wedding had surprised him. He didn’t want to scare her off so he had to get things clear that he wouldn’t be pressuring her in anyway.

  “You want to walk over to the house and take a look? It won’t be pretty right now but you can get a general idea,” said Callum. “That’s if you feel up to it?”

  “I’d like that because I need some fresh air after being in the hospital.”

  He opened the screen door for her and soon they were side by side walking across the dirt path to his grandma’s place.

  “Did you grow up here?” Olivia asked him.

  Their hands brushed momentarily and they looked at one another.

  “Yes, so did my dad, my granddad, great grandpa, and my great-great-grandpa bought this land.”

  “Wow, that’s some history.”

  “Sure is. The Nolan’s ancestors have owned the adjoining piece of land over to the south there. Land is what caused all the trouble between the two families.”

  “So it was like the Wild West.”

  “Sort of. And about you accompanying me to the wedding.” Callum thought it best he get straight to the point.

  “If you don’t want me to I’ll understand,” said Olivia.

  How could he tell her he it was just the opposite without it sounding as if he was going to treat it as a date?

  “It’s not that. I want you to go along with me but I remembered what you said about not wanting to get involved and I don’t want you to think I’m forcing myself on you or anything like that.”

  She stopped walking so he did the same. She put her hand on his arm. It was like when the Monarch butterflies used to be around the area and they’d land on him. Light and fluttery.

  “I wouldn’t begin to think that about you. You and Sloan, your whole family has been more than kind to me.”

  “That’s what we’re here for. Our parents have raised us to help those in need. I didn’t mean to imply that you’re in need or…”

  “I am in need Callum and you’ve given me the beginning of a new start with letting me rent this place.”

  They continued walking, the house coming into plain view. Right now it looked like some run down old shack which essentially what it was. He’d often dreamed about living here one day. Maybe with the love of his life and their children playing out back like he, his brother and Sloan had.

  “I’ll show you inside but be careful because some of the floorboards are loose.”

  He held her hand as she stepped over the threshold and knew with her arm in a sling, it probably made her slightly off balance and the last thing he wanted her to do was fall and hit her head or land on a rusty nail.

  “Wow, this must have been some house,” Olivia said, as soon as she stepped inside.

  “Great grandpa built it. In fact, my dad was born in the bedroom that looks out west over the mountain range. Let’s go see the kitchen and you can meet my brother Shane.”

  Shane was sweating, had his shirt off and he was immediately jealous that his big brother had been given all the muscles without doing a thing. Callum had to work for each one of his.

  “Shane, this is Olivia, Olivia, Shane.”

  Shane wiped his hand down the side of his jeans and offered it to Olivia. Callum hoped she wasn’t noticing any of those muscles.

  “Pleased to meet you,” said Shane.

  “Me too,” Olivia said.

  “I’ve got one more cabinet to pull out and they’re all done,” said Shane.

  “I think Mom has some huckleberry pie waiting for you,” Callum quickly added.

  “Then I shall me on my way,” Shane said. “Nice meeting you, Olivia.”

  Callum was more than relieved when his brother put his t-shirt back on.

  “Would you like to help me pick out the new cabinets?” Callum asked Olivia.

  “Me?”

  “Sure, you’re going to be living here and looking at them.”

  “I know but it’s not as if I’m buying the place or will live here forever.”

  “What he’s saying is he’s hopeless at picking out things and needs some female input,” Shane said while putting his jacket on.

  Wow, his brother had worded it perfectly and made it seem like he wasn’t using it as another opportunity to spend more time with Olivia.

  “If you really want my advice, then sure I’ll help you choose a color and design.”

  “Great, and don’t think I’m pushing you, but I’d like to visit the store right now so I can get the order in,” said Callum.
/>   “Right now, but I’m in my old jeans and t-shirt.”

  “And you look perfect to me,” said Callum.

  Shit, would she take that as a come on?

  “Thank you and sure, let me grab my bag and we’ll go.”

  She turned around to leave and Callum looked at his brother who winked at him and then gave him the thumbs up.

  *****

  Olivia was feeling tired and knew she should be resting, but suddenly the thought of spending more time with Callum, in a strange way, thrilled her. Thrilled her in a way that she hadn’t experience even with Mark.

  “I’m going to need to help you get up into my truck,” Callum told her.

  It was true and even if she didn’t have her arm in a sling, she would have needed some assistance climbing into the monster of a thing.

  “How about I put my arms around your waist and lift you up and with your free hand you can grab this bar and slide your butt onto the seat,” Callum said.

  The thought of him wrapping his arms around her both scared and excited her.

  “Okay,” she said.

  As he leaned into her body, she got another whiff of his aftershave and closed her eyes when he squeezed her and begin lifting. The seat hit the middle of her butt and she managed to gracefully slide onto the seat.

  “Let’s be real careful with the seatbelt.” Callum pulled it across her body and made sure it didn’t cut into her shoulder by pulling it lower on her body. His hand brushed her breast causing its nipple to turn hard. She wondered what it would feel like to have him cover her boobs with both his hands and even run his fingertips around her nipples.

  “Comfortable?” he asked.

  That question jarred her out of her current erotic thought. She was far from comfortable but she knew he was referring to pain and not pleasure. “Fine,” she simply said.

  He ran around to the driver’s side and with just a quick movement was up inside the truck and starting the ignition in seconds.

  “There’s a huge DIY store out on the edge of town,” Callum said, as they headed out of the ranch and onto the main road.

  “You’ve always lived in this area?” she asked him.

  “Yes, I was born at the hospital where you were taken that night. Not that it looks anything like it now. They’ve added a few more buildings since then. And how about you? Where did you grow up?”