Stone slid his boots on, stood, tossed his empty bottle in the bucket. “I’m not going there. Ever.”
“Okay. Seth will be thrilled to hear that. He’s got a bit of a crush on little Emma.”
Stone jogged to his truck and waved back at his cousin. “Fine, she’s all his.”
“If you say so,” Ethan laughed as he walked into the house.
Igniting the engine, Stone continued to frown. What was it that Ethan said that’d turned the afternoon grey? Emma. Danger. He was on that. No worries. Something else niggled, something about Seth, but it was as elusive as a mole in sunlight.
Chapter Six
I thought you were someone else, Stone’s voice taunted. After all these weeks, you’d think she’d find a way to fix this scratch in her memory. Stone’s verbalization about his tryst with Tilly grated her mind like nails on a chalkboard.
Emma made her way down the winding, gravel drive. Fall snapped its fingers last week and painted the horizon with vibrant orange and red. Two months, she mused. She’d survived two months within the same household as Stone Connor.
She wondered whether Stone’s four seasons meant the entire season or if he’d be free of the ranch by springtime. If so, they’d waltzed right into Season Two, and she figured she’d almost crossed the halfway point.
Over the past weeks, River Run symbolized a trophy neither Stone nor herself were willing to relinquish. They’d drawn lines, schemed and then arrived at the same conclusion. Working together appeared to be the only solution. Stone stepped into his authoritative duties, protecting his legacy with the iron hand of a military general. Emma catered to the guests, reinforced River Run’s five-star rating, and prayed nightly her boss didn’t turn his razor sharp intuitiveness in her direction.
Inhaling the brisk autumn air, she stretched her arms to the late morning sun. Last night, the temperature dropped into the low forties, and the first fire of the season crackled and burned in River Run’s hearth. She could smell the burnt oak each time a soft breeze blew from behind. The sun promised to warm the day, holding at bay the icy wind that blew from the top of the Grand Tetons. It’d be another few weeks before first snowfall.
Emma finally reached the main gate. Where was Nate?
The crunch of gravel to her back made her sigh with a bit of dread. She turned and waved as Stone Connor pulled his Jeep to the gate. “Hop in,” he barked.
“I’m meeting someone.”
Emma watched a myriad of emotions cross Stone’s eyes, but he bit back any reference to his father. “Can you call and reschedule. We need to talk.”
Panic bubbled in her gut. “Can it wait?”
Stone sighed and rolled his eyes. “I haven’t pried into your business with him once over the past few weeks. I’m politely requesting that you reschedule today because we have important things to talk about.” Stone paused. He snagged his ball cap off his head and ran his fingers through the mop of black hair matted to his forehead. “I know who you are, Emilie.”
Emma froze. Air drained from her lungs and she slipped to the ground, hugging her knees to her chest. “Who else?” Her voice sounded tinny as she fought against the ring of fear. “Who else have you told?”
“What?” Stone jumped out of the Jeep. “No one. I wouldn’t tell anyone and endanger you.”
Emma shook her head. “I don’t understand.”
“I don’t care who the hell you are, Emma O’Malley – Emilie Gallagher. Doesn’t make a difference. What I do care about is the fact that my grandmother expected me to keep you safe. I can do that…if you let me.” He helped her back to her feet. “If you trust me.”
Emma gazed into his eyes. There were no clouds. No dishonesty. “Why?”
He shrugged. “Because it’s how I’m made.” He offered her a genuine smile. “They don’t let just anyone into the Rangers, you know.”
She grinned and tilted her head. “I know.”
Nate Connor’s battered truck pulled up to the gate. Emma waved at him to stay in the vehicle and then offered her full attention back to Stone. “Can this wait just an hour? I promise I’ll be back by two.”
The ease exited Stone’s stance, and she hated the fact she’d caused that. “Fine. We’ll talk at two.”
Before rational thinking took hold, Emma stood on her tiptoes and kissed Stone’s cheek. He stepped back, but she rested the palm of her hand where her lips had been. “Thank you, Stone.”
She backed away, but the flare of emotion flickering in the depths of Stone’s eyes hadn’t gone unnoticed. Emma quickly unlocked and slipped through the side pedestrian gate. Waving at Nate, she jogged to the vehicle, opened the passenger side, and hopped in.
“Mornin’, baby girl.” Nate grinned and winked. He put the truck in gear and drove away. “You okay?” He nodded toward the Jeep that headed back up the drive to River Run.
“Fine.”
They’d managed this weekly rendezvous, and to Emma’s delight it seemed enough for Nate.
A few weeks of hyperventilating each time Nate’s truck pulled onto the main road had dimmed to a tiny pinprick of fear. Fifteen years Emma stayed hidden behind the walls of River Run, rarely venturing into town. Now, spending one day a week riding beside Nate, the world waved a carrot under her nose.
They’d hiked and explored the wilderness of the national parks that made their corner of the world famous. Nate’s constant state of nervousness dimmed the golden trips to a dull silver, but Emma ignored his concerns, insisting they continue these weekly visits.
Leaning over, she planted a kiss on Nate’s cheek. “Where’re we heading today?”
“I thought, if you didn’t have to be back for a few hours, you might like to see the cabin.”
“Really?” Emma smiled brightly. “Is it done? You’ve been so secretive.”
The older man grinned like a kid with his first baseball bat. “It’s done.”
She clapped in delight. “I can’t wait.”
“How’s my son?” Nate asked.
Emma’s heart sank. They danced this fox trot every time he picked her up. She couldn’t dissuade his innumerable questions nor quench his insatiable need to connect with his own flesh and blood. But, damn, if squaring off his son’s hatred and protecting Nate wasn’t becoming an angry cyclone.
“He’s fine.”
“And River Run, will he keep River Run?”
“No Nate, he’s not going to keep the resort. Stone wants nothing more than to fix it up and sell. He’ll never stay.”
Nate smiled sadly at her. “You don’t know what a Connor’s capable of. That place’ll crawl beneath his skin soon. You just wait and see.”
“Okay, I’ll wait and see.” Emma knew arguing was futile. She glanced out the window. Osprey and bald eagles dotted the trees that grew from the steep ravines of the Snake River. The rapids were flowing, wild and turbulent, kicking up frothy white water with the vengeance of an angry ocean.
“Did you review the latest Clover report?” Nate said.
She pinched the bridge of her nose and nodded. “It doesn’t look good.”
“Has Stone bothered to dig any deeper into the company?”
“No,” she said. “I think I shocked him when I insisted Clover belonged to me, but we’ll see come the end of December when the investment check is due. He knows my history, Nate.”
“Not surprised. I heard he’d been out to River’s Edge a week or so back. He ‘en Ethan were thicker ‘en thieves growin’ up. Figured Ethan would fill him in. We’re almost there,” Nate exclaimed, his attention diverted from Stone and onto what lay before them.
The truck swung off the main road and headed down a dry, dirt path. It bounced and lurched over pot holes and rocks. Holding the dash for safety, Emma couldn’t help but smile at the boyish anticipation lighting Nate’s face. There’d be plenty of time to discuss Clover and Stone another time. The fact he didn’t seem worried about Stone’s knowledge was a comfort. She’d no desire to ruin this day.
“It’s beautiful.” She walked across the wooden planks and admired the serenity of Nate’s paradise.
“Thanks, Emmie. Want to see inside?”
She grinned at the use of her childhood nickname and followed him into the cabin. The sparsely furnished rooms spoke loudly of Nate’s inability to lavish any luxury upon himself. After his wife’s death, Margaret explained to Emma that her son simply stopped believing in his worth. Instead, he poured whiskey down his throat and left his child to face life alone.
Stone Connor muddled through years of feeling his father’s wrath and self-deprecation…then escaped. He’d joined the army and never looked back.
Emma guessed the last bit. Being raised within the Connor household meant diverting conversation away from Nate’s son, away from past pain, and away from any topic too difficult to face. She’d become an expert at dodging tense dialogue, sparing feelings and healing wounds with soft words.
Clover Enterprises lay somewhere between tense and healing. At times, many things were best left unsaid.
“Let’s have a quick cup of coffee, Nate, and then you need to take me back to River Run. We’ve a group of guests arriving this afternoon.”
“That’s fine, baby girl. Just sit right there and let me serve you for a change.”
Nate’s okay, she mused. He’s doing just fine.
She wished her own life felt as harmonious.
***
“Where’ve you been?” Stone demanded, pacing the front porch intent on either polishing the wood with his shoes or digging a hole with his heels. She was late. The trip to Nate’s cabin consumed more time than expected.
“Sorry.” Emma scooted past him and entered River Run.
“Okay. I’m sorry I snapped. I need to talk to you about my plan. Guests are due in less than an hour.” He followed her into the kitchen not allowing any room for escape.
“What’s the matter, Stone? Afraid you can’t handle a simple welcome-to-River-Run speech?”
“No.” He handed her a pad of paper. “There’s been a change of plans.”
She took the paper and frowned at his chicken scratch. “I can’t read this.”
“It says they’ve added a guest, an important person and would like to make certain he receives appropriate accommodations.”
“And?”
“It’s Seamus Adams.”
Emma froze. “What?”
Stone held his hands up. “Don’t panic. Actually, I think this is a good opportunity to determine whether he’s a threat or simply here doing what he says he’s been doing. I didn’t discourage the request.”
“There’s no way, Stone. It’s too dangerous.” Emma paced in a tight circle. “I’ll go. I’ll stay with Nate or out at River Edge. You can’t ask me to be in the same room with that man.”
“It’s what I’m asking.”
She exhaled a shaky sigh. “For a second there I thought we were on the same team.”
Emma clearly noticed that Stone bit back a grin. “We are.” He gripped her shoulders gently, rubbing his thumb against the edge of her arm. “Trust me. I’ll protect you. This is a step toward your freedom. There’s just one other slight problem.”
Her emotions were ricocheting in all directions and culminated in a shallow laugh. “What other problem could possibly trump this?”
“The only available suite is mine.”
Emma shrugged and headed into her small cluster of rooms to find some peace and perhaps a Teton sized chunk of bravery. “So? Move.”
“Where to?”
“You’re the boss, you figure it out.” Her indifference didn’t seem to be sitting well with Stone. When she turned to shut her door, she noted his face was flushed a deep crimson. Her eyes widened as she caught sight of his tightly clenched fist.
“I believe then, that I’ll be joining you in your quarters.” He smirked and left her there, open-mouthed and in shock.
He couldn’t stay with her. Could he?
Emma slammed the door and took stock of her little world. Small office to the left, even smaller bedroom to the right, and tiny bathroom in the middle. Surely, he must be joking.
She crossed the miniscule hall and entered her bedroom. Her full sized bed jammed tightly into the corner couldn’t accommodate Stone’s height not that she’d ever entertained any ideas about allowing him access.
“I’m here.” Stone spoke softly over her shoulder, and Emma refused the urge to turn around and smack him. She’d tried assimilating his stealth into her daily routine, but he still managed to scare the lucky charms out of her.
“You can’t stay, Stone.” She turned and blocked his entry into her bedroom. His shaggy mop had been groomed into a relatively tame cut, but there were still strands that insisted on falling over his brow.
“Why not?”
“This is my space.” She stared into his steel blue gaze refusing to back down. Stone dropped his duffel bag, eyed her bed thoughtfully and shrugged.
“No choice, Emma. I’ll be staying here.” The gate bell rang in her office, and his attention quickly switched focus. He walked over to the security monitor and punched a code into the computer. “The closer we are, the safer you’ll be,” he called over his back. “Our guests have arrived. You’ll need to inform the add-on that his room isn’t quite ready. I’ve already snagged Lola, and she’s cleaning as we speak.”
Emma stuck her tongue out and moved gracefully past him and out of the intimate arena. A frustrated sigh escaped, but she focused her attention on the task of welcoming this next slew of vacationers.
“Wait for me,” Stone called quickly catching up and matching his pace to hers.
She cast her eyes up at his face. Sudden anger suffused her entire body. “This is an evil plan.”
His brows shot up in surprise. “Not of my making. But often forces align to show us a window of opportunity.”
“I’m glad you find it easy to play with other people’s lives.”
Stone flinched. “I don’t play.”
“I’m sorry,” She shook her head, mad at herself. The nature of his nightmares testified to a dark story. She hadn’t meant to awaken the memory. Instead, Emma straightened her shoulders, attempted to harvest some courage from the man standing by her side and opened the front door.
“Have you locked Porkahontas up? This crew’s never visited before, and I’d hate to face a lawsuit brought on by an overprotective pig.”
Emma rolled her eyes at him. She hated his teasing of Pocahontas but knew he was lightening a tense moment. He grinned, a wicked light to his eyes. “Don’t laugh,” she said, opening the front door. “She’s gonna slime you but good one of these days if you keep insulting her.”
“Yeah?” He quirked a brow and nudged her shoulder with his. “She loves me, and you know it.”
Emma glared. She much preferred the brooding, injured son persona to this roguish rebel. Whenever he pulled a personality back flip, it made it difficult to hide her feelings. “The Leary’s have overbooked their itinerary even though I pointed out they’d never fit in both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park in one day.”
“Hmm, you’ll straighten it out.”
“I always do.” The two of them emerged on the front porch at the same time the long, black limousine pulled up. She marveled at how easily they slipped into their roles.
***
Stone smiled brightly at the invisible people behind the dark tinted glass of the limo. He knew he’d placed both Emma and himself in a precarious position by invading her rooms, but the presence of Seamus Adams demanded drastic action. Even though he’d professed Emma’s safety, Stone wasn’t convi
nced. His gut screamed Adams knew her identity. This was either a brilliant plan or one he’d regret for eternity.
Four doors opened, spilling eight passengers onto the drive. They climbed over one another intent on absorbing the first view of River Run, talking and pointing and laughing in delight. Stone glanced at Emma. She smiled brilliantly at him, her eyes dancing and face glowing with pride, the twinge of fear only apparent to the most discernible eye. Stone saw it clearly along with a few other aspects that caused him pause.
He knew she loved River Run, but his heart caught when he realized how much. Stone turned quickly away, not wanting to ponder his insight or deal with his reaction.
A tall man, in well-pressed kahki pants and Rugby shirt exited last. He turned and faced the front door.
Stone felt Emma tense. He grabbed her hand and pulled her down the steps, beside him. She backed up, he tugged forward and tossed her a warning glance. Panic and fear raged war against her professionalism and it sliced through his chest, almost decapitating his resolve.
Engage the enemy.
Offense is better than defense.
Nothing he could say would help Emma. She must face the man gazing at them curiously. She must greet her mother’s killer.
“I can’t go down there,” she said. Her voice strained to a bare whisper.
“You can do this.” He demanded, hating every inch of his plan.
She stared at him. Her body trembled from head to toe, but he remained impassive. Emma squared her shoulders, tilted her chin up, and turned to greet their guests. A surge of pride rushed through Stone. This was one tough lady.
Reaching Seamus Adams and his entourage, Emma extended her hand and greeted everyone with the professionalism of a polished hostess.
Seamus Adams clasped her hand firmly. The touch of the man who’d swam in her nightmares for the past fifteen years threatened to send her to her knees. She swallowed hard, blocking the image of the last time she’d seen his fingers.
Bloody. Deadly.
Stone walked up and stood behind her, his hand resting protectively upon her lower back. She glanced back, startled by the intimate contact, but he didn’t release her.
The Fifth Season Page 7