“Probably not,” he said, his voice so low and rough it made her shiver. “But I have to do something to make it right.”
She opened the back door to the house, went in. Donovan was right behind her. The cool air against her wet clothes felt like ice.
Mark ran to them. “Freckles ate rat poison. She could have died.” He looked up at Donovan. “How did she get it? We checked real good. We can’t let her get sick again.” Tears formed in his eyes.
Phyl grabbed her stomach. Was her first thought right? Had they been found? No. If they had, she would be dead. So would Mark. They wouldn’t bother messing with a dog.
She relaxed some and looked from Mark to Nellie. Their eyes were dark with concern.
Nellie turned to Donovan. “The vet called. I thought you accounted for all the poison.”
“I did. I have no idea how she got it.”
“The vet said if you hadn’t gotten her in when you did, she’d be gone. We can’t let this happen again,” Nellie said.
“Did he say anything about the poison being in the dog food? Remember the big splash not too long ago when animals were dying and getting sick because rat poison had gotten into the food as it was being processed?”
“He asked what brand of food we gave them,” Nellie said. “I’d forgotten about that scare. He’s probably checking it out now.”
Phyl went to her son, wrapped an arm around his shoulder. “The dogs are fine now, Mark, that’s what’s important.”
“What if it happens again?” he wailed.
She looked at Donovan. His shoulders gave a nearly imperceptible shrug. “Just to be sure, I’ll change brands.”
“In the meanwhile, I’ll cook their food myself,” Nellie volunteered.
Mark pulled on Donovan’s sleeve. “We need to look for the poison again. Maybe we missed it.”
“Do I have time for a quick shower first?” Donovan asked with a grin.
“Hurry,” Mark urged. “I’m going to the barn and see what I can find.”
“Why don’t you wait for me?” Donovan called after him.
But Mark was halfway out the door. “I can do it!”
“Mark! You heard Donovan. Wait!” Phyl didn’t want him in the barn or anywhere else by himself.
It was past time to tell Donovan everything.
As soon as she showered and dressed, she took Mark to the barn and waited for Donovan.
****
It didn’t take long for Donovan to shower and get to the barn. He seriously doubted the poison came from dog food. At least the topic forced thoughts of Phyl from his mind. It was a wonder anything was accomplished today with his mind centered on the woman working by his side and the fool he’d made of himself yesterday.
When had admiration turned into more? When had his thoughts turned from concern over whether she could keep up with the work to how she’d feel in bed?
He knew the answer.
That seductive ride back to the house the day she’d fainted from the heat had sent desire spiraling though him at warp speed. It wasn’t what she’d done. She’d been anything but seductive. She kept that glorious blond hair tucked up in a ponytail and hidden under a worn baseball cap. She wore no makeup, and dressed like a cowboy. None of that kept his thoughts from wandering.
As he neared the barn, he heard Mark and Phyl. The sound of their voices made him stop and listen.
“I don’t see where Freckles got the poison,” Mark said.
“Wait for Donovan, he’ll help you look.”
He liked the way she said his name. Liked the way it made him feel. Why was he so entranced with this woman? Did he want to pursue it? If he did, there were things she needed to know.
He walked into the barn; saw Phyl playing with the dogs. Mark was earnestly searching for poison Donovan was sure wasn’t there. But the serious look on the boy’s face made Donovan see things about himself he couldn’t see earlier.
“Donovan!” Mark cried out. “I can’t find anything.”
“Why don’t we call it a day? Maybe something else made Freckles sick.”
“But the vet said…”
Donovan waved a hand. “Dinner is ready. Go to the house and wash up.”
Scowling, Mark did as he was told.
Phyl locked the gate on the dogs, came toward him. His throat closed.
“Donovan, would you have a little time after dinner? There are some things we need to discuss.”
Yes they did. He didn’t know what she wanted to tell him, but he definitely knew what he wanted to say to her. How much should he tell her? “Has Mom told you how Max and TJ saved the ranch?”
“No.”
“Have you been to Rock Mountain?”
“Rock Mountain?”
He chuckled. “That clump of rocks at the west end of the property. Have you been in there?”
She shook her head. “I’ve seen it, of course, but never been close.”
“There’s an interesting story out there if you want to hear it.”
“Sure. After dinner, then.”
Donovan ate faster than usual.
Finally, dishes done, Mark and Nellie settled down over a half-finished puzzle.
Donovan smiled when Phyl cautioned Mark to stay in the house, and made his mom promise to keep him there. Phyl was definitely an over protective mom.
Donovan led the way on Stormy to the rock formation. From a distance it looked like a small mountain. Closer, they didn’t quite reach the sky as they had thought as kids. It was just a clump of boulders that took up space.
He stole a glance at Phyl. Without her baseball cap, her ponytail bounced with every step Skye took. She sat tall and straight in the saddle, as if she were born to ride. His heart kicked up a notch.
She glanced over at him. His heart did that familiar flip.
“So, tell me,” she said, as they reined their horses side by side.
“Our neighbor, Bart Adams, wanted the ranch. A couple of years ago, he did everything he could to ruin us.”
Phyl stared. “How?”
“He planted a sick cow in the pasture. Our regular vet was unavailable so we called in the new one. Only the new vet was working with Bart and somehow convinced the authorities that the herd had to be destroyed.”
“How awful! That must have been devastating.”
“You have no idea. We were this close,” he held up two fingers and pressed them close together, “To being foreclosed on when TJ got a hare-brained idea to save the place.”
By now they were at the rocks. He rode Stormy into the formation. Phyl followed.
“What’s in here?” she asked.
“You’ll see,” he answered as they rounded a large rock and came to a natural spring.
She gasped. “Would you look at that?” She got off Skye, went to the edge, and put a hand in the water. “It’s cold.”
“It’s continually fed by an underground spring.”
“I’ll bet this was a favorite spot when you were kids.”
“It was. But that was before Max, TJ’s husband, discovered the springs.”
“I met Max when he and TJ came to the ranch. He’s a nice man.”
Donovan swung off Stormy’s back, and came to stand beside her. “He’s part of the story. Why don’t we sit over there?” He pointed to a rock formation that jutted out over the water.
“Perfect.”
“Absolutely,” he agreed, but he wasn’t looking at the rocks or the water. He was devouring Phyl with his eyes, feasting on her slim body, her beautiful hair and tantalizing backside as she climbed up ahead of him. He wanted to touch her but she had to know the truth about him before he carried this to the next level. If there was a next level.
When they were comfortable, she turned toward him. “So tell me. How did Max find the springs? How did Max and TJ save the ranch?”
“Bart found the springs before Max did. Water is precious in the Hill Country. Whoever has it has a big advantage. Allen’s place is next door.
He wanted the water and our ranch.”
“How did he plan on getting it? You would never sell.”
“That’s why he planted the sick cow.”
“And TJ?”
“She saw a wanted flyer with a reward for Maxwell Thomas, accused of stealing a hundred million dollars from his employer, Foster Enterprises. Foster set up a million-dollar reward. TJ went after Max to get it.”
“But…they’re married? They have a baby!”
“Happily married.” Donovan agreed. “But that’s getting ahead of the story. TJ found Max all right. But they fell for each other. Before they could find what they needed to clear Max, someone started shooting at them. They had to stay hidden. What TJ didn’t know was Max was working undercover with the FBI to prove Foster was going to steal the money his clients had invested with his company. Foster stole the money all right, but he managed to make Max look guilty before he had enough evidence to make an arrest.”
“Goodness.”
Donovan chuckled. “There’s more. You’ll have to get TJ to tell you the whole story.”
“I will. So what happened to Bart Adams?”
“He’s in jail. Probably be out in a couple years.”
Silence.
If only he could find the right words to tell her the truth about his paternity. But what would it matter? He had no future with Phyl. Someday she’d go back where she came from—of that he was certain. There’d be no happy ending for him like there was with Max and TJ. Hell, he didn’t even know who he really was!
The wind blew wisps of hair around Phyl’s face. Donovan couldn’t resist the urge, and found himself tucking strands behind an ear. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered.
She laughed. “My hands are as rough as yours, my skin is too dark from the sun, and I can’t do a thing with my hair.”
“That’s what makes you so beautiful.”
She looked at him in silence. He had to tell her.
“I have another story for you.”
Her smile trembled. “Is it as exciting as the last one?”
His voice grew gruff when he answered. “It’s more personal.” He wanted to put his arms around her. Instead they sat apart. Phyl looked across the water to the horses, then to the rocks above their heads, then at him.
“I’m not a Callahan.”
She didn’t say a word, just continued to look, those golden eyes looking right into his soul.
He ran a hand over his face. This was harder than he thought. “I’m here because Mom was raped.”
Phyl gasped.
Donovan felt the horror anew. And the rage. With effort, he clamped down on the rage. It had no place here, on this outcropping, on this evening.
“Mom was engaged to Duncan Callahan at the time. She told him about it. He wanted to find the guy and beat him to a pulp. Mom stopped him. She wouldn’t even report it. The creep took off. When Mom found out she was pregnant, she broke off the engagement.”
“Only Duncan wouldn’t hear of it,” Phyl whispered.
“How did you know?”
“He loved her.”
“Yes, he did. And he convinced her to marry him. So here I am. The first of five children; all of whom have the same father except me.”
Phyl’s heart ached. How long had it taken him to accept his paternity? How long to realize that regardless of that, he was every inch a Callahan? Or had he?
“Duncan Callahan was a dad to you, wasn’t he?”
“The best.”
She shrugged, knowing instinctively this man wouldn’t appreciate any show of emotion. “Then you’re a Callahan.”
“You sound like the rest of the family.”
“It’s true. Your dad loved you. You grew up to be like him, not like your biological father. He was a good example for his children, and I’ll bet anything he showed no partiality. Am I right?”
Donovan nodded.
“So what’s the problem?”
“Not a problem, exactly. I found out about this only recently. I left the ranch—to find him. That’s when Mom hired you. I wanted to beat the crap out of him. Only he died before I had the chance.”
No wonder Donovan had looked so lost during his first weeks back at the ranch. A hint of that pain still clouded his eyes.
“That bothers you?”
“It does. I wanted him to pay for hurting my mother.”
“I’ll bet anything Nellie would tell you that all the pain she went through was worth it to have you in her life.”
Without warning, Donovan reached for her and pulled her close. For a moment she was stunned. This wasn’t what she’d intended. But it felt so good—so right—she didn’t want to move. “Donovan?”
He held her tighter. She sighed. Leaned into him. This was a forever moment. She didn’t want to break it—didn’t want to bring a halt to these wonderful feelings. Feelings she’d never had. Not with her parents, Victor, or anyone else.
When Donovan’s lips brushed hers, something electric shot through her. Had she ever felt this before—this urge to never let go—to stay here forever? She sighed softly, knowing this moment was special. And even though she may never have another like it again, she was going to enjoy this one.
He kissed her.
Her heart kicked into an irregular beat and let sensations like she’d never felt before float through her.
When the kiss went deeper—when she couldn’t think anymore—when her bones were so limp she couldn’t move, she surrendered.
Magic. It was a glorious magical place she didn’t want to leave.
If her life weren’t so uncertain she’d grab this man and never let go.
Maybe she could even let herself go and believe her life was nice and normal.
But Donovan didn’t know her story. Until he did, she couldn’t do this.
Her body trembling, she pulled away.
“I’m not sorry about that.” Clearing his throat, he continued. “I guess you’ve come to realize that unlike the other Callahans, I have a temper,” he confessed.
She looked at him. “Temper isn’t a bad thing if you know how to handle it.” Could he hear the slight tremor in her voice?
“I didn’t handle it very well when I thought Cal was hurting you.”
She waited, unsure where he was headed with this.
“I don’t like losing control. The consequences are not always pretty.”
“I know how you must feel. Part of you is pure Callahan, but you can’t ignore the part that’s not.”
“Exactly.”
“Get used to it. Everyone is different. Your brothers and sister aren’t that much alike, you know.”
“They are. Every one of them is more outgoing. Look at them. I could never do what they’ve chosen to do with their lives. I’m the one who’s different.”
“Not that different. And if there’s something you dislike about yourself, change it.”
“You sound a lot like Mom.”
At that, she smiled. “Mothers tend to think somewhat alike.”
He pulled her to him, kissed her again. Phyl’s head whirled. If only…
She pulled away. “Not now.”
“Can’t we just talk? Didn’t you have something to discuss?”
“I did…I do. But it’ll have to wait.”
When she forced herself back to reality, she realized how day had turned into night here amongst the rocks.
Was it that late?
Thunder made her jump up. Stumble. Unsure of her footing and of what had just happened.
“I have to get back. We have to.”
She jumped on Skye and whirled toward the break in the rocks.
As she broke through them, she saw the ominous clouds, and wondered if West Texas storms always came up this quickly.
She urged Skye even faster.
Chapter Eleven
As she spurred Skye into a gallop, Phyl wondered what in the world had come over her. Did those rocks hold some kind of magical power? She’d never
ached for a man. Ever. But in Donovan’s arms, she’d been a throbbing bundle of want. That guard she kept around herself had disintegrated, leaving her exposed. Why did she let it happen? Where was her sane, logical mind set on keeping herself and her son out of danger?
Nothing had changed. The killers were still out there. Magic rocks or not, she couldn’t afford the luxury of letting down her guard.
With anyone. Including Donovan. Yet here she was, wanting a man who could send her into danger, in more ways than one. Her body flushed hot all over.
Regret thundered through her.
Whatever her feelings—whatever Donovan’s, when she told him the truth, when it became clear that she had lied by omission, he would send her away.
No man had turned her head since Victor. The only thing she should be thinking about was keeping Mark safe.
A streak of lightning in the northern sky made her hurry even faster. Yes, they had to get to the cattle and move them, but her anxiety wasn’t about the cattle, but about Mark. Was she being paranoid now because of what just happened? Or was it more? Despite her never-ending fear of being found, she felt an urgency that wasn’t normal.
She didn’t go to the barn, but rode straight to the back door. The sky had grown ominous. Suddenly, she was afraid. Not of the storm. But a fear for their safety. One that went deeper than the usual anxiety she felt every minute of every day. This was more intense, more immediate.
Why now?
She’d felt safe here from that first day. Anxious, yes, but safe. Now, the feeling that she should take Mark and run was strong enough to unsettle her. There was no plausible reason to be so skittish. Mark had been alone with Nellie for days now while they tended cattle. But Phyl couldn’t tamp down the feeling that they should be anywhere but here.
Nellie was in the living area.
“Mark was tired so I put him to bed. I hope that was all right.”
To hide her relief, Phyl leaned against the doorjamb. “Of course it is. I had no idea it was so late.” It was just her imagination. Everything was as peaceful as always.
Nellie looked at the clock. “It’s not really that late. Just seems that way.”
“There was no sign of a storm today, nothing but blue skies. Now we’re going to have to move the cattle in the rain.” She went over, kissed Nellie on the cheek. “Thanks for taking such good care of Mark.”
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