by Addison Fox
Several diners at Pesce had paused at their cars to watch the proceedings. He could also see several members of the staff hanging around the back entrance, presumably on break, their attention laser focused on the parking lot.
Since attention was the very thing he was going for, Finn decided to use it to his advantage. If it also assuaged the trembling in his limbs and the raw, edgy fear that coated his stomach, then so be it. He crossed the remaining distance to Darby, pulled her from the SUV and into his arms. He pressed his lips to hers in a move meant to offer comfort and reassurance.
But as her sweet lips met his, warm, open and welcoming, Finn knew the truth.
She provided the comfort. He was simply using the opportunity to bask in the warmth.
* * *
“Take us through it again, if you don’t mind?” Carson asked the question, but from the grim look on Finn’s face, she could tell he was as eager for the answer as his top detective.
Darby sighed and wrapped her hands around the mug of tea Serena had pressed on her shortly after she and Finn had arrived at the ranch. “We were walking out of the restaurant and talking casually. Without warning, all I could feel were eyes on me.”
As silly as it sounded, even now Darby could feel the way her blood had run cold. Her heart had leaped, her pulse ringing in her ears, and the only rational thought in her head had been to run for safety.
Only, Finn had done the running.
Straight into danger.
“You’re staying here tonight.” Serena walked into the kitchen with a heap of pillows and blankets in her arms. “I don’t want any arguing.”
The order had Darby leaping up. “Thank you. Really, thank you, but I can’t leave the dogs all night. Penny and Lucy are good but they can’t go that long.”
Finn laid a hand on her arm. “I’ll go get them. I’ll get Lotte, too.”
“I’ll go with you.” Carson was already up and out of his chair. “No time like the present.”
She’d barely blinked and both men were gone. Which left her and Finn’s sister all alone in the kitchen, the muted lighting and quiet calm in direct opposition to her roiling thoughts about Finn Colton.
“My brother is a force of nature.” Serena smiled before crossing to the stove to make her own cup of tea.
“He certainly is sure of himself.”
“Always.”
While she had no interest in spying on him, this glimpse into the life of Finn Colton was too juicy to resist. “He’s always been like this?”
“As long as I can remember. He’s calm and capable, logical, and slow to anger. It drives my mother crazy.”
“Your mother is Joanelle?”
“The one and only.” Serena rolled her eyes. “She’s a difficult woman on the best of days. On the worst...well, let’s just say Finn got more than his fair share of those.”
“It’s a shame.”
Serena nodded. “More than I can say.”
Silence descended between them. While she had her definite opinions of Finn’s stepmother, the woman was also Serena’s mother. She, of all people, knew how complicated mother-daughter relationships could be and figured silence was best.
“You care for my brother.”
“I—” Darby broke off, not sure what to say.
Serena was a kind woman but Darby hardly felt comfortable enough to spill her guts about her feelings toward Finn.
Did she actually have feelings about Finn?
Even as the question drifted through her thoughts, Darby knew the truth. Despite her best intentions—and every rational thought she possessed—she had come to care for him.
She was attracted to him, but attraction was the easy part. He was good-looking and competent, with a finely tuned moral compass and a need to protect the town. What wasn’t there to be attracted to?
But to care for him? That was a different level of commitment entirely. That suggested sticking around and spending time with each other after the Groom Killer was caught. It was something she wanted, but did Finn?
Whether he did or not, it hardly changed her feelings. On a soft exhale, she looked Serena in the eye. “I guess I do.”
“He cares for you, too.”
“I don’t think—”
Serena cut her off this time, laying a soft hand over hers. “Don’t think. That’s usually where we end up going wrong. I know I did with Carson and that was nearly the end of our relationship. Fortunately he had enough faith for the both of us.”
Darby latched on to the lifeline and hung on for all she was worth. “You and Carson had a tough go of it?”
“He’s a Gage and I’m a Colton. That’s usually more than enough to cause problems. But as someone who married into the family, I’m sure you already knew that.”
Although Darby knew of the Colton-Gage feud—most people who’d spent any time in Red Ridge knew of the history between the two families—Bo had seemed somewhat oblivious to it. On the few occasions he’d mentioned it, it was usually laced with humor at how old-fashioned and “Wild Wild West” his family loved to act about their century-long feud with the family across town.
“Is this family feud really that big an issue?”
“For the older generation it is. That includes my difficult mother,” Serena added. “And since my father follows along with anything she says, it was a problem for him when Carson and I got together.”
“What else caused problems?”
“I’d just had a baby. That was quite a hurdle.”
It was Darby’s turn to offer comfort and she laid her free hand over Serena’s. “It looks like Carson has more than embraced his role as father.”
“That he has.” Whatever shadows clouded Serena’s gaze lifted immediately. “He really has. He’s a wonderful father. Lora and I are so lucky.”
“I think Carson’s pretty lucky, too.”
Serena smiled at that, her dark brown eyes warm and inviting. “I suppose he is.”
Their conversation shifted and Darby was grateful that Serena didn’t push again on the subject of her feelings for Finn. They were enough of a surprise to her as it was. Instead they seemed to find an endless series of topics from the baby to Darby’s K-9 business until they finally ventured back around to the Groom Killer.
“It’s a scary time in Red Ridge. I know we have crime now and again. People seem to find ways to do bad things no matter where they’re put. But a killer?” Serena shivered. “It’s hard to imagine.”
Darby was prevented from saying anything when headlights reflected through the window and slamming car doors echoed from outside.
Something settled inside her when Carson came in the door, a trail of dogs in his wake, followed by Finn in the rear. The events of the night had unsettled her more than she’d realized and it was humbling to realize how good it was to see Finn back, safe and sound.
He carried a small gym bag she recognized from her bedroom closet as well as her pillow. “I wasn’t sure if you were one of those people who preferred their own pillow so I grabbed it along with your toothbrush and the PJs on the edge of the bed.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s the least I could do.” He set the bag near the couch and put her pillow down, as well. “I’m sorry you’re stuck with me tonight.”
“It’s okay.” Carson had disappeared with Serena and it was just her and Finn and their combined pack, who’d positioned themselves in an arc around the front door. “More than okay, actually. I can’t say I’m anxious to spend the night by myself.”
“Then it’s good we’re here. The Colton Ranch is pretty well fortified, but we’ll batten down the hatches, anyway. Nothing wrong with settling in for the night.”
“Thank you.”
He pulled her close, wrapping her in his arms before his chin pressed down on the top of her head.
On a hard exhale she hadn’t even realized she was holding in, all the fear she’d bottled up since the parking lot came tumbling out. “I was so afraid. So scared that you’d run into the killer. Or worse, that they were waiting for you.”
“It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. What’s out there, lurking and waiting? Who is so determined to kill and to ruin the lives of others?”
“I wish I knew.”
“It’s sick and twisted. And evil.” Another shudder ripped through her and Darby fought the creeping sense of hopelessness that threatened to swamp her.
“We’re going to figure this out. I know we are.”
She wanted to believe him. With all her heart she wanted to believe Finn could hunt down a killer and put him away.
But what happened if he couldn’t?
That question still haunted her twenty minutes later as she settled into the couch. Serena had apologized profusely that there wasn’t a spare room in her wing of the mansion now that Lora was here, but both Darby and Finn had brushed it off. He’d had no desire to move in to the main house and she could easily live with sleeping on the oversize sectional for the night.
Finn was still huddled with Carson at the kitchen table, their voices low as they worked through various scenarios over coffee.
She listened to the murmur of their voices and took solace in their presence even as she drifted toward sleep. Images filled her twilight moments, thoughts of a killer invading her mind. Bo, a hole in the center of his chest, reaching out to her from a shallow grave in the backyard, his arms stretching toward her. Penny racing around the hole, barking. But when Darby finally walked over, all she saw was Finn in the shallow grave, a gunshot wound spreading blood over his chest.
She came wide-awake on a harsh breath, narrowly holding back the scream that crawled up her throat.
Dropping back against the pillow, Darby fought to catch her breath. The image of Finn, his chest bloody, refused to leave her mind, lingering like a dark stain in her thoughts. A small whine echoed from beneath her and she turned onto her side to find Penny beside the couch, her gaze focused on hers.
“Hey, sweet girl. It’s okay.” She nearly reached out but held back, aware the dog wasn’t keen on her ministrations.
Penny whined once more before coming to a fully seated position and resting her head beside Darby on the couch. She reached out and pressed a hand to Penny’s head, her fingers sinking into the thick fur. Penny edged forward a few steps, coming closer for Darby’s touch, before burying her nose against her side.
The fear that had pulled her from sleep faded slowly, the soft, soothing strokes on Penny’s head going a long way toward calming her. But it was Penny’s light sigh several long minutes later that fully pushed the toxic images from Darby’s mind. Seemingly satisfied she’d done her job, Penny jumped up onto the couch and curled up at her feet.
With the steady weight of her dog settled in against her, Darby allowed herself to drift off once more. Only this time, there were no dreams waiting for her.
Just the soft, gentle weight of Penny’s body pressed against hers.
* * *
Finn rolled over on the thick air mattress to find a large, furry body sprawled next to him. The sprawl was accompanied by a steady snore and he fought the urge to poke Lotte until she cleared the mattress. He didn’t allow her into his bed, having trained her to use the large, fluffy dog bed in the corner of his room, but the unusual setting and the presence of Penny and Lucy had clearly tossed all his good training out the window.
He scanned the living room, his suspicions confirmed when he saw Penny curled up at Darby’s feet and Lucy a few feet beyond, also curled up on his sister’s well-stuffed and oversize sectional.
“I think this place has gone to the dogs,” Darby whispered before punctuating the comment with a throaty giggle.
“My sister is going to kill me.”
“I’ll vacuum once we’re all up. No one will know we were here.”
Finn couldn’t resist teasing her. “The Queen of Clean rides to the rescue once again.”
“I told you my mother thought cleanliness was next to godliness. When I’m done with the couch and the carpet, you’ll never know there was a dog in here, let alone three.”
“I won’t stand in your way.”
“In the meantime, since we’re here, the least we can do is be good houseguests. I’ll put the coffee on.”
Finn glanced at his wrist, his watch flashing back the time. “It’s 6:00 a.m.”
“Which means it’s time to get up.”
She was already off the couch, navigating the small space between it and his air mattress. She’d nearly cleared the space when inspiration hit and he reached for her ankle, tugging her close. The move was enough to unbalance her and he used her tumble to his advantage, pulling her neatly into his arms.
Semineatly, he had to admit as he underestimated the landing. He’d kept her from falling onto Lotte but caught the full weight of her body. She was small, but falling as a dead weight still hit him square in the stomach.
“Finn!” She breathed his name and struggled out of his arms. “What are you doing?”
“Kissing you good morning.”
“It’s—”
He cut her off, making his point more than clear as their lips met. She might have gotten off the couch with a distinct goal, but he was pleased to see she could be swayed to a new activity. Her body was still warm with sleep and he pulled her close, nestling her body against his. The desire that had been touched off the night before in her living room when he’d picked her up flared to life once again.
Had it ever really died?
As his hands roamed over her body, Finn knew it hadn’t. And based on the light, eager moans that emanated from the back of her throat, he knew it hadn’t for Darby, either.
His fingers drifted over her stomach, finding flesh where her pajama top rode up over her yoga pants. He teased the tip of his finger over the seam of her pants and was rewarded by a light shiver.
“Cold?” he whispered against her lips.
“Not at all.”
As if to prove it—or, knowing Darby, not to be outdone—her hands drifted over his hips before moving up to mold to the lines of his chest. He normally slept naked, but in deference to a house full of people, he’d left a T-shirt on with a pair of K-9 team sweatpants that had grown threadbare from so many washes. The heat of her palms warmed him through the cotton T-shirt, but it was the slim body pressed against his that had his eyes crossing.
His erection strained against the thin material of his sweatpants, pressing into the slim vee of her thighs, and Finn suddenly wasn’t sure of his own sanity. What had possessed him to start something with Darby this morning?
And when had he begun channeling his inner fifteen-year-old, convinced he’d die if they stopped?
Cosmic proof that he was wrong came in the form of his baby niece’s early morning cries, breaking the thin threads that had woven around them both this morning.
“That’s a baby crying,” Darby said before pressing one last kiss to his lips. “Which means the house will be up shortly.”
He reached for her, desperate for one more kiss, but she’d already backed away, stumbling over the edge of the air mattress before righting herself as she padded out of the living room. He was fool enough to enjoy watching her go, the sweet curve of her butt shown to perfection in the black yoga pants that sculpted her curves.
Lotte eyed him from the edge of the mattress where she’d moved at some point during his morning romp with Darby and even now wore a speculative gaze.
“I suppose you want to go out?”
Her eyebrows shot up, but her gaze remained steady.
“Do I take that to mean you’re irritated we woke you? You were sleeping like the dead.”
&
nbsp; When Lucy trotted over, followed by Penny, seating themselves beside the mattress, he took in their steady attention. “I’ll be. I guess there were a few more in this house watching the show this morning.”
Since his witnesses would never tell, he figured he and Darby could continue to fly under the radar. That was assuming his niece kept his sister busy enough for him to get the dogs out and to take a quick—and cold—shower.
Satisfied his witnesses were well occupied outside, romping through the light coating of snow that had come overnight, Finn headed off to the bathroom. He made his escape without anyone seeing him and was in the shower in moments. But try as he might, even standing underneath a shower as cold as the snow outside, he couldn’t quite get his body to calm.
Nor could he shake the heated images of what might have happened if his family hadn’t been twenty feet down the hall.
* * *
More than a few days had begun with the vague thought that coffee was the elixir of life, but Darby had to admit to herself that the almighty coffee bean had nothing on the glorious, mind-blowing powers of Finn Colton.
Oh, the man was fine. And waking up to slow kisses and lazy caresses over her body was something she could definitely get used to.
Since she needed to battle such fanciful thoughts, Darby threw herself into playing the perfect houseguest and had coffee on and muffins baking when Serena, Carson and Lora came into the kitchen a half hour later. The baby’s sweet smile reached out and wrapped around her heart and Darby couldn’t resist smiling in return.
Only to get an even bigger smile and a giggle to sweeten the deal.
“She loves the morning.” Serena stopped by the stove and peeked in the front glass at the muffins even now rising with the heat. “You made breakfast.”
“It’s just muffins.”
Serena turned to her, tears shining in her eyes. “You baked something.”
Carson reached around Serena, easily plucking the baby from her grip and cuddling Lora into one elbow while comforting Serena with his free arm. “I promise you we’ll get past eating all our meals as takeout soon. Lora needs your attention much more now than I need a home-cooked meal. And since my cooking is the equivalent of eating rocks, you really want me keeping up my dialing skills.”