She’d be with him, and away from the fear that had unexpectedly engulfed her over the past few days. Nothing would give her more comfort than that.
“I’ll take that as a challenge. I bet I surprise you by the end of the weekend. Deal?”
“Deal.”
They’d spent the morning discreetly gathering up supplies, food, and equipment and had let it slip to everyone they’d encountered they were driving to a concert in Billings for their big weekend date. Code teased that it was his lucky day that Hayley loved country music as much as he did and because of her celebrity, he’d get to meet some of his favorite country artists. It was a feasible fib.
Then they’d driven out of town heading northeast toward Billings, no one the wiser and stopped for lunch along the way. After the meal, Code turned the car around and drove to the Lucky B Ranch, by way of side roads.
“Uncle Brand came by to check out the place early this morning. Hopefully, it’s not in too big of a mess,” Code said as he helped her out of the car.
“It’s safe, and that’s all I care about.”
He popped the SUV’s backend and began unloading boxes. Hayley pitched in, carrying a grocery bag and a bakery box filled with Code’s favorite desserts. The man had such a sweet tooth.
They entered the place through the back door and walked into the kitchen where a retro Formica table sat facing a pretty window that looked out over a cropping of tall trees. The chair seats matched the tabletop in a soft shade of marbled blue. Stainless steel appliances were nowhere to be found in this humble little kitchen, but there was a beat up stove and an outdated refrigerator. The countertops were worn and a bit weary but free from dust and the floor tried hard to shine, but at least it was clean.
“Uncle Brand must’ve worked hard on this place,” Code said as he set the big box down and walked over to take the grocery bags out of her arms.
“Come on, I’ll show you the rest of the cabin.”
There wasn’t much to it. Five strides and the parlor was history, but she liked the floor to ceiling brick fireplace which was the focal point of the room. There was one bathroom with a bathtub and shower, thank goodness, that separated two rather good sized bedrooms. “I’ll bring your luggage in. Which room do you want?”
In one of the rooms, a glass bowl filled with fresh wildflowers sat on the night table by the bed. It was the lighter of the two rooms, with bedcovers in soft yellow. She walked over to the flowers and lifted them to her nose. “I’d guess your Uncle Brand wants me to take this room.”
“He’s an old romantic at heart,” Code said, his lips twitching.
“It was nice of him.” She spun around the room, taking in faded wallpaper, a high boy dresser that looked almost shabby chic, though it was quite simply just old.
“Not the best place you’ve holed up, is it?” Code seemed to watching her every move.
“It’s charming, Code.”
He snorted.
And she grinned.
“I’ll go get your things out of the car,” he said, whipping around quickly.
They’d be living together in this house for the next few days. The irony was that as much as Cody wanted to keep his distance and only provide what she’d bought and paid for, a weekend date of her choice, here they were on Thursday, with him giving her almost two more full days of his company. He hadn’t said a word. No grumble. No complaint.
Code was a man of action, and did what needed doing. He wasn’t a rancher. Not that she thought less of ranching or farmers for that matter, but it wasn’t Code. There was a whole lot more to Cody Matthews than he wanted people to believe.
A shrill ring rattled her nervers, until she figured it was a phone ringing. She moved through the house looking for a landline and once she reached the kitchen, she found Code’s cell phone vibrating on the countertop. A glance at the screen told her he missed the call.
He found her red-handed snooping at his phone. “You missed a call from Victor Feliz?” She turned to him, ignoring the intense look on his face. He wasn’t thrilled she’d picked up his phone. “A friend of yours?”
Holding her large, raspberry-colored suitcase in one hand, he swiped the phone out of her hand with the other and brushed by her. “Maybe.”
She followed him the short distance to her bedroom. “Is it a secret or something?”
He plunked the suitcase on top of the bed and the mattress sagged a bit. “What it is, is none of your business, Hayley.”
She planted her hands on her hips. “Don’t get your pants in a twist, Cody. It was only a simple question.”
He sighed and ran his hand down his face as if she’d crossed a line in the sand or something. “He’s a good friend. We spent time in Afghanistan together.”
“Ah, an Army pal. Well, don’t let me stop you from calling him back. I’ve got unpacking to do.”
“He can wait, Hayley.”
“Okay, but—”
“Unpack,” he said. “I’m gonna put our supplies away and make sure everything is in working order.”
“How long has it been since someone lived here?”
“I don’t know, exactly. My Uncle’s older brother, Burt, built the place some forty years ago. He was a loner and wanted a place of his own. The two of them worked the ranch together. After he passed some fifteen years ago, Uncle Brand put some time and money into the place thinking he’d rent it out one day. But that never happened.”
“That’s too bad. With a little work, this could make someone a nice home. The location is beautiful. What’s beyond those trees out back?”
“More of the same and there’s a lake close by. I would come here as a kid and fish. Gosh, I haven’t been back there in ages.”
“Maybe we can hike there one day. I’d like to see it.”
He stared into her eyes. “Yeah, maybe.”
“Code?”
“Hmm?”
She reached for his hand and held it lightly. “Thank you for all this.” Lifting up, she brushed a tender kiss to his cheek, her lips roughened by the beard beginning to grow there. “I, uh, I don’t know what I’d would’ve done without your help.”
His hand tightened around her wrist and she was pulled forward instantly, until they were inches apart. He stared at her for a moment, his eyes narrowing, as if he was making some sort of decision.
Her breath whooshed out in a soft gasp, but she couldn’t look away. He held her stare, his jaw pulsing, his gaze sharp and filled with promise. She was lost in the heat of his eyes, the hunger on his face. Her insides leapt to life. She had only wanted to thank him, show her appreciation with a little kiss, but now she was fully aware how tumultuous the situation was between the two of them. Code wanted her, but was doing everything in his power to keep away. The thought screwed with her head. He’d made it clear that he’d wanted no part of her when she’d first come asking for his help. And she’d forced his hand. He was too decent a man to turn his back on her.
She pulled out of his grasp and pivoted around, turning her back on him before he could set her away. In her precarious state, she couldn’t take another of his rejections.
“I think I’ll take a little rest after I unpack,” she said.
He grunted a reply and the sound of his sharp footfalls hitting the floor as he walked away buzzed in her ears.
*
Code put the groceries away in the fridge and set paper plates, cups, and utensils in the cabinets. A far cry from the fine china Hayley was used to, he’d bet. But she’d be safe here for the time being. Only the sheriff knew where they were and Uncle Brand. And he’d spend his time teaching her the basics of self-protection and try like hell not to let her get to him.
He had no use for a woman, except in the most elemental way. Hell, his own head wasn’t on straight yet, so how in hell could he take on the complications of a woman like Hayley Dawn. She wrote the manual on screwing with a man’s head. And body.
Crap.
He’d fallen for her way back
when, even before their time in the barn. But he’d kept his feelings to himself. Hayley hadn’t looked upon him as anything more than a friend who got her out of trouble and defended her against people eager to do her harm. She’d come to rely on his protection, something he gave her freely without strings. But then, he went and fell hard and when she’d left town, she’d caused major damage to his heart. So now, he knew there wouldn’t be any future with Hayley. She’d left him once, she’d leave him again. Acting was in her DNA. She got some weird sense of satisfaction with all the attention. It was as if, small town Hayley wasn’t enough. She was always trying to prove something to the world.
And he vowed that this time, he wasn’t going to be fool enough to get suckered in. He’d make sure she was safe. Period. End of story.
His phone rang again. He didn’t have to give it a glance. He knew it was Victor. Persistence was his friend’s middle name. The guy didn’t give up. Code stared at the screen for a good solid ten seconds. And then his conscience got the best of him, he owed Victor an answer. “Yeah?”
“Hey, Code. It’s Vic. I’ve been trying to reach you for days. Everything okay?”
“Yeah, everything’s just dandy.”
“Where’ve you been?”
“You wouldn’t believe me, if I told you.”
“Try me, buddy.”
Code walked out the back door, sat on the steps, stretched out his long legs and spent the next few minutes explaining about the bachelor auction and his part in keeping Hayley out of danger.
When he was through talking, Victor whistled into the phone. The sound squealed in his ears and he yanked the phone away. But Victor’s voice came through loud and clear. “Oh, man, she’s the one you told me about, right? The one you fell for back when you were a horny, young buck. She’s a star now and gorgeous. I’m not sure if I envy you or not, being up there with her.”
He winced. “I’d rather be anywhere but here.” He might even mean it.
“I doubt that, Code. You still care for the girl, uh, woman. Otherwise, you would’ve let the authorities deal with her. Or sent her packing.”
“Whatever,” he said. He wasn’t in the mood to argue with Vic. “I’m here now, and I’ve got to own up to my part of the bargain.”
“Bargain? You’re on a long weekend date with a beautiful woman men have wet dreams about, buddy. That’s not a bargain, that’s a friggin’ lottery win.”
“Damn it, Vic. Don’t talk about her like that.”
His friend laughed into the phone and the hair at the back of his neck stood on end. “Hey, sorry, man. But you gotta know you coming to her defense means something.”
“Like what?”
“Like maybe you’re ready to come back to the land of the living.”
Code snorted. “Fuck you, Vic.”
“I love you too, buddy. Seriously, have you given any thought about coming back to Texas? I’ve hired temporary help but I don’t know how long I can hang on, Code. I don’t want to buy you out of your half of the business. You know I want you back here, working with me. We’re a team. We’ve always been a team.”
Code began shaking his head. “I don’t know, man. After what happened…”
“Not your fault, Code.”
“Tori’s dead, Vic. I got involved with her. I broke the first rule of protection by sleeping with her.”
“Hey, you weren’t sleeping with her, when she ran out. She got a call that something happened to her daughter at school. She should’ve told you. You would’ve known it was a trap, Code. You wouldn’t have let her go alone.”
“I know all that. But I can’t get her death outta my head.”
“Tori got involved with an unsavory character and paid the price.”
“She was paying me to protect her. I’m not sure she knew the danger she was in.”
“What happened to her was a terrible tragedy and it sucks. But it’s not your fault. You told her, over and over. She didn’t listen, Code. So when you decide to give yourself a break, I’ll be here. But don’t take too long. I’m going to need your decision soon. Got that?”
“Yeah, I got that.”
“Oh, and send me an autographed pic of your new lady, Code. Lil’s a big fan of hers. She’s dragged me to all her movies. I’ll get brownie points.”
“You’re whipped, Vic. You know that?”
“Yep. I am. You should try it some time.”
Code smiled. Victor’s wife, Lil, was the best thing to ever happen to him and the poor guy knew it. “Adios, Feliz.” He clicked off the phone and stared out into the woods.
And then Hayley’s shrill scream jerked him out of his thoughts.
Chapter Four
Code raced into Hayley’s room with his weapon drawn. That cool flash of metal brought the absurdity to light as she met his eyes. She stood in the middle of her bed, yielding her own weapon of choice, her handbag, slung behind her back and ready to attack.
“Hayley!”
Seeing his gun stopped her cold. “I’m fine, Code.”
She let the handbag plop onto the mattress. “You mentioned spiders, but never said a word about mice.”
“Mice?” He blinked, letting it sink in. Then he mouthed a string of curses that would make the devil himself blush. “That’s what your screaming was about?”
She bit her lip and nodded, twisting her face up tight.
He set the safety lock on his gun before setting it into his back waistband. “You’re afraid of mice? Geesh.” He ran his hands down his face. He seemed to do that a lot when she was around.
“I’m…sorry?”
“For scaring me half to death? Damn right, you should be sorry.”
“I, uh, have this thing for small critters that crawl over my feet. I can’t stand the thought. I don’t know where it went, and that’s freaking me out all over again.”
“You mean you’re not coming off that bed?”
“Not until you catch the thing.”
Code’s shoulders dropped and his mouth began to twitch.
“I look ridiculous, don’t I?”
He laughed and then laughed some more. Amusement replaced his angry snarl from a moment ago and it was almost worth it, having that horrible mouse scare the wits out of her. And then he began nodding, in full agreement that she looked like an imbecile, standing like a stone statue on top of her bed.
“Stop laughing,” she said, but the joy on his face was contagious and she smiled.
And then her smile grew into a big old silly grin. And pretty soon, she was laughing along with him. She bent her knees and dropped down onto the bed in a sitting position. Code joined her, sitting down on the edge of the mattress, his laughter still resonating in her ears.
Finally, he settled down and shook his head. “You always knew how to grab all the attention in the room.”
“But, it wasn’t planned and I—”
“I know. I should’ve warned you there might be some varmints around.”
“You mean, there’s more?”
“Possums, maybe, but they don’t come in the house.”
“What’ll I do? I don’t think I can sleep, knowing that mouse is at large.”
“At large?” He laughed again. “I’ll set some traps. You won’t have a thing to worry about tonight.”
“Really?”
He nodded.
“My hero.”
“You set the bar low, darlin’.”
“No, I don’t.” She didn’t like to hear him speak that way about himself. Code was about the most decent man she knew. And for years, she’d wondered if she’d made a big mistake, running out on him before giving them half a chance. When things got heavy, she bailed.
“The thing is, you may not be sleeping in this bed tonight, after all,” he said.
Oh really? What did he have in mind? “Why not?”
“Well, I have good news and I have bad news. The good news is that the stove and fridge are working fine. No problem there. But the heater is out
and I tinkered with it, but I can’t fix it. The nights get real cold out here. The temps drop pretty darn quick once the sun goes down.”
“So what do you have in mind?”
“You may have to sleep next to the fireplace in the parlor. That room will hold the most heat.”
“Okay. I’m fine with that. Now, Code, about that mouse.” She scanned the bedroom floor, looking for signs of the culprit that rattled her nerves. “Where do you suppose it is?”
“Could be anywhere.”
Something tickled her side and she jumped. “Oh!”
It was Code. Being the devil, running his fingers along her skin and grinning like a fool.
“That’s just plain mean.” She grabbed her pillow and knocked him over the head with it. He fought back, taking her down in one easy swoop and there she was, lying across her bed with him, his face all smiles, his eyes twinkling. Rarely did she see him like this. With his guard down.
“I like you like this, Cody.” She touched his cheek.
“Like what?” he said quietly.
She traced her fingers over his lips, loving the feel of the firm flesh there. “Like this. Smiling.”
He reached up to grasp her hand. He held it near his mouth. “I smile.”
“Not at me.”
“That’s not hard to figure,” he said quietly. “When I’m with you I want to do other things beside smile.”
“Like, yell and scold and reprimand?”
He gave his head a shake and the playful gleam in his eyes changed to something searing and hot. Her skin broke out in goose bumps and her heart began to race. “Like kissing you and touching you until we’re both satisfied and…”
“And,” she repeated, breathless. She waited patiently for him to finish his next thought.
“And finishing what we started in Uncle Brand’s barn that day.” He brought her hand to his mouth and brushed a long, lingering kiss there.
“There’s no reason we can’t.”
“There’s a hundred reasons why we—”
“Shh,” she whispered, her fingertips going to his mouth again, this time to shush him. To keep him from saying what she didn’t want to hear. “You told me you had nothing to offer me, Code. So, I’m not asking you for anything, other than this time with you.”
Bachelor for Hire (Bachelor Auction #1) Page 6