by Bonnie Vanak
Satisfied all was well, he began swimming in long, sure strokes across the pond. He needed this exercise, needed to feel he was in control of a body that no longer functioned like a well-oiled machine. Hospitals tended to do that to him.
How many times had he and Shel jumped into this water during the summer, splashing each other and laughing? It was his love of water that led him to becoming a SEAL. He could swim across this pond ten times without hesitation.
Determination arrowed through him with each stroke. He could do this. Ever since leaving the navy, he felt adrift. Flotsam on the current of life. Once his life had purpose. Being a SEAL was everything to him, hell, it was embedded in his identity. Silas never knew how driven Nick had been to prove the old man wrong, that he wasn’t going to end up dead in a ditch somewhere, homeless and alone.
Except after he left the teams, he had to start all over. And nothing he could see about his life served the same purpose. Except for now. If he never did another thing in this life, he had to save this farm. Or at least, make sure he found whoever threatened his family. And Shelby.
Nick swam underwater to the shallow end and stood.
Only to see Shelby on the bank, staring at him.
* * *
If she had any doubts about Nick being fully recovered from the smoke inhalation, they vanished in a heartbeat. Naked, he stood thigh-deep in the water, sleek and wet. Each curve of his biceps, the thickness in his wide shoulders and the rippling muscles in his abdomen caught her wide-eyed attention. He looked as gorgeous as a Greek god. Water dripped down his hair, beaded on his impressive chest, droplets tracking through the hair marching in a fine line down to his...
Oh, my.
Heat suffused her as she jerked her gaze upward to his scowling face. Nick marched out of the water. Now she could see other scars dinging his long, powerful legs, especially the nasty one high on his right leg.
His expression looked dangerous, and she backed off as he approached.
“What the hell are you doing out here alone?”
So he wasn’t mad at her for catching him skinny-dipping. Shelby shook her head. “I could ask the same of you. At least I’m wearing clothing. Who goes swimming naked in October in that water? Are you nuts?”
“I’m a SEAL.” He stalked past her, grabbed the white towel from the shore near his backpack. “Or at least I was. Cold water is nothing to me.”
“I see.”
He glanced down at his right thigh and his jaw tensed. “Yeah, you’ve seen all right. Like my road map of wounds?”
“Wasn’t looking at those. I was talking about your lack of shrinkage.”
But despite her gentle, teasing tone, Nick’s scowl deepened. Then he knotted a towel around his lean waist, and shoved a hand through his wet hair. “I used to swim ten laps around this pond without losing breath. Now I can barely do three.”
“You just got out of the hospital!”
“That’s no excuse. I said the same thing to myself when I was discharged from the hospital. And here I am, more than two years later, and I’m still not back in the same shape. I’m way out of shape.”
Shelby wanted to shake sense into him. Nick wasn’t out of shape. He wasn’t Dan, with a small beer belly, or Jake, who never walked any distance on the farm because he was plain lazy. Nick’s body was a testament to how athletic he was.
“Nick, you’re too hard on yourself. Stop it. You risked your life to save your teammate, just as you risked your life to save Timmy. That takes a lot of courage. You’re still strong. Give yourself time to heal,” she said softly.
He snorted. “Right. How much longer will it take for me to get back into top shape so I can re-up, and regain what I lost when I quit being a SEAL?”
This wasn’t the confident Nick Anderson she’d known, the man who never quit. But someone had to tell it like it was, because he needed honesty.
“Maybe never. You told me being a SEAL isn’t all about strength, but mental perseverance. You have to heal from the inside before you can address the physical issues, Nick.”
He turned away from her, regarding the pond as if it taunted him. “Wait while I get dressed, and I’ll take you back on the ATV.”
Clearly, the scars he bore cut much deeper than into his skin. She had to do something to tease him back into good humor. Between almost losing Timmy, and Nick, and the destroyed barn, she felt ready to snap. As did he. So she did something for the good of them both, guaranteed to make him quit wallowing in self-pity.
She stole his clothing and jumped on the ATV, tearing off toward her apartment.
“Shelby!”
His roar rose above the grinding whir of the vehicle. Grinning, she kept going, knowing he was chasing her. But not in that towel. Nope, she knew for certain he was...
Shelby turned her head. Yup. Stark naked, running after her, the towel gripped in one fist. Her grin widened as she pressed the gas pedal. Let’s speed it up, Nick. See what you’ve got.
His outraged yells continued to follow her down the road. Finally as the burned-out barn came into view, she slowed down. That should suffice.
Nick raced over to the ATV, winded, but not as much as one would expect, and grabbed his backpack and clothing off the rear cargo basket. He knotted the towel around his waist again. As he opened his mouth, probably to turn the air blue with curses, she turned and grinned.
“And you said you were out of shape.”
Nick’s expression eased, smoothing out from a severe scowl. Ah, he got it.
“You are a minx,” he murmured. “You should be spanked.”
“Don’t get my hopes up.”
Dark eyebrows shot upward. “Don’t tempt me. I’ll save fun and games for later. Right now I should spank you for riding on this machine without a helmet. You know the rules.”
She felt abashed. “Sorry. I was in a rush, forgot it. I went looking for you and couldn’t find you. I was afraid you overdid it.”
“Because I’m still weak.” He said it with a forced smile.
She blew out a breath. “Because you might not be fully recovered, Nick. So stop acting as if you should be a superhero around here, and then getting upset with yourself because you can’t do it all. It’s not doing anyone good, least of all you.”
His expression turned serious. Thoughtful. Drawing closer, Nick reached up and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “You’re the only one who dares to tell it like it is, Sweet Pea. Thanks. I needed that push.”
So close. Close enough for her to inhale the spicy scent of his aftershave, and see that small area on his chin, where he’d nicked himself shaving. See the intriguing flecks of gold in his dark brown eyes.
Close enough to taste the richness of his mouth, the sensual curve of his full lower lip. No thin lips for Nick, no—even his mouth was a work of art. She looked at the jagged scar on his cheek, and reached up to gently trace it with a fingertip.
“You were always beautiful before, Nick. Even more so now with your scars, because I know the price you paid for them. I’m so thankful you came home to us. I really have missed you, Nick.”
His gaze shuttered as he drew back, away from her touch. Once more, he distanced himself. Embarrassed that she’d revealed too much, Shelby hopped off the ATV and turned her back on him. “I’ll let you dress, and then you can drive. I think I’ve done enough for today and I need to get back because they’re discharging Timmy. I only came home to grab his favorite shirt before heading back to the hospital. I thought he’d feel better wearing it.”
Clothing rustled, and the sound of a zipper dragged upward filled the silence between them. She turned finally and he sat in the driver’s seat. She climbed onto the seat behind him, thankful he’d taken the larger, monstrous ATV and not the smaller one used for navigating the trails.
When the
y reached the garage and she’d climbed off, heading for her truck, Nick blocked her. “Shelby, I missed you, too.” His gaze searched her face. “More than you know. You’re the only one here I trust.”
Trust. As in friendship. All the teenage insecurities she’d felt rushed back like a tidal wave. Nick muttering that he had to leave and they were friends, nothing more. Making her feel as if she’d been a fool for kissing him.
“Right. Shelby the reliable, good ole Shelby, who is always there when you need her.” She laughed a little to cover her anger. “A good friend, indeed.”
“No. Not like before, Sweet Pea. Not friendship. This isn’t like before. It’s much more.” He gently traced a line across her mouth, his touch trailing fire in its wake. Making her want him all over again.
Trembling, she closed her eyes, feeling his finger graze over her chin, down to her neck. Her nipples pushed against her bra, eager and straining. Oh, wow, with one touch he set her on fire, making all her past boyfriends seem fumbling and awkward. She enjoyed sex, and while they’d been accommodating in her needs, they hadn’t equaled Nick.
Nothing could ever equal him.
Then she felt him touch her. He unbuttoned her blouse. Immobilized with sheer need, ignoring the cool air brushing against her bare skin, she opened her eyes.
He pulled open her blouse, lifted up the cup of her bra and looked down. Her sluggish brain kicked into gear. Shelby yanked the ends of her blouse together. “Nick! What are you doing?”
“Taking a peek. Fair play. You did see me naked.”
That jaw-dropping grin had probably coaxed more women into undressing than she could count over the years. His seductive, deep voice, and the twinkle in his eyes... Impossible to be angry at him. Not with that boyish charm. But she’d be five shades of fool to let this go further, because he’d already broken her heart once. Shelby didn’t intend to go for a second round.
Buttoning up her blouse, she ignored the heat rising from her throat to her cheeks. “Why don’t you get ready and come with me to the hospital to pick up Timmy?”
His playful grin dropped. “If you need me, I’ll come with you, but I’ll call Jonah first to see if he can send one or two of his deputies. I’m not sure when Jake’s returning from Nashville and I hate leaving the farm unguarded.”
Words better than an icy dive into the pond. Shelby nodded. She didn’t like him being alone here, either, not with an arsonist prowling around. Letting him know this would ding his self-confidence.
It wasn’t that she worried he couldn’t handle trouble. She couldn’t handle anything else happening to Nick. Or Timmy. With a start Shelby realized they were the two most important people in her life. Her sister was thousands of miles across the sea, and had become secondary.
“Call him. I know he’ll be happy to send a couple of guys over to watch the place. And it would be nice for Timmy to see you again. He really likes and admires you.”
And so do I. But that’s something I can’t let you know.
She kept those thoughts secret and guarded as they made the preparations to return to the hospital for Timmy.
Because if she had it her way, Nick Anderson would never again know how very much he occupied her thoughts, and finally had started to occupy her heart as well.
Chapter 14
After returning from the pond, Shelby retreated upstairs to her bedroom for much-needed privacy. The close encounter with Nick had sent her hormones soaring. She needed distance.
Shelby finally sat down to check her email. Lately all she received were notices from vendors who contacted her when their emails to the farm went unnoticed. Wincing, she scanned through a stack of emails, mostly vendors, some spam. A few were from locals interested in booking trail or wagon rides. Those she forwarded to Jake, who handled renting out the horses.
Another email, sandwiched between the spam and angry vendor emails, caught her eye. Heather. Finally! She hadn’t heard from her sister in more than three weeks, despite all the emails she’d sent. Shelby opened it, eager to read an update.
Hi, Shelby! Pete and I are heading back tomorrow. He broke the contract. Long story, but there’s great news! Can’t wait to see you and Timmy. We’re flying into Nashville that afternoon and will Uber it to the farm. We’ll stay with you and Timmy. Can you hold dinner until we get there? Miss Timmy so much. Starting packing up his things because we’re taking him with us. Love, Heather.
She looked at the date on the computer screen’s bottom. Tomorrow. Heather had given her a days’ notice. No more. Hands shaky, she closed the laptop. Why didn’t Heather want a lift from the airport? Nashville wasn’t that far. And what was the deal with little notice?
Something bad must have happened.
Old habits died hard. She worried about her little sister. Why were they returning so quickly? Was Pete injured? No, she’d mentioned great news. Typical of Heather to be so cavalier.
Shelby poured another cup of coffee and went to her private balcony, staring out at the expansive fields, the rolling hillside. Horses cropped the grass peacefully in the pasture. Heather hadn’t even mentioned their flight number. Or when she expected to get here.
No, Heather acted as if Shelby should halt everything, as if Heather was an incoming train and life revolved around her erratic schedule. Hadn’t that always been the case? Shelby doing everything for her sister to make up for neglectful, uncaring parents. Shelby adjusting her lifestyle to fit Heather’s so Heather could attend band practice in high school. Shelby giving Heather money when Heather needed a new car. Shelby organizing Heather’s expensive wedding, Shelby making sure Heather had everything she needed.
Shelby caring for Timmy for months so Heather’s husband could earn money overseas. The pattern stared her starkly in the face.
Nick was right. She did put everyone else’s needs before her own. Especially when it came to her baby sister.
Shelby rinsed out her cup in the sink. She packed Timmy’s favorite shirt and then grabbed her keys to drive to the hospital. She wasn’t packing a damn thing of Timmy’s. No, this time Heather wasn’t coming first. Her son was.
* * *
The next evening, Heather and Pete still hadn’t arrived by eight thirty. Shelby had given up calling and waited downstairs on the patio. There was a distinct chill in the air, but she’d donned Nick’s jacket. Warm, lined with sheepskin, it smelled of him, spicy and masculine.
As promised, Jonah had sent two men out to the farm to patrol and make their presence known. Privately, he’d told Shelby and Nick he suspected an inside job.
Shelby had thought so as well. Natalie had the most to gain by driving them to sell sooner rather than later.
After finding out Heather was coming here, Nick had discreetly mentioned sleeping in the main house. Typical of the new Nick. Thoughtful, not wanting to intrude. Grateful for his understanding, she saw him in a new light. Ever since returning home, he’d been responsible. Practical. Gone was the daring rebel who didn’t care about others. Maybe Nick had changed.
Heather certainly had not. Living in Iraq hadn’t made her more responsible. Shelby tried texting again, but Heather didn’t answer.
Where were they?
Finally, as the clock slowly dragged closer to nine o’clock, a car entered the driveway and pulled up before her garage apartment. Heather and Pete climbed out of the back. Relief flooded her. They were okay, just late.
Shelby ran and hugged her sister as Pete and the driver began unloading the luggage. Shelby stepped back to study Heather. Her sister was two years younger, and hadn’t changed, except her ash-brown hair was longer. Her merry blue eyes sparkled, and she looked slightly plumper, but fashionable in a faux-fur-lined hooded coat with shiny brass buttons, silk-and-wool pants and stilettos that Shelby knew were quite expensive. Amused, she realized she still wore her faded jeans use
d for riding, worn Western boots and a jacket that had a slight tear in the sleeve.
She’d been too concerned about Heather to bother changing.
“You look cute.” She pointed to the jacket. “New clothing?”
“Michael Kors.” Heather beamed. “It was a great sale.”
Good thing Pete made plenty of money. Heather had compensated for being poor as a child by wearing designer clothing and insisting on the best for her family. While Shelby wasn’t as obsessed with fine clothing and expensive living, she couldn’t blame her. Life in the cramped trailer on the farm had meant pinching pennies and wearing hand-me-downs, always afraid in school that other girls would notice. Or worse, the time Natalie Beaufort laughed because Shelby wore a pretty flowered dress Natalie had donated to Goodwill.
After hearing of the incident, Heather had told her to throw the dress out. Shelby didn’t. She valued good clothing too much. Instead, she spent the afternoon with scissors, shortening the sleeves and adding lace so the original design had changed enough to make it “hers.”
At least Heather looked well, though slightly tired. Shelby pointed to her watch. “You’re late. You said you’d be here at dinnertime.”
Heather shrugged. “I know, but Customs was a bear. And then we had a problem getting an Uber. The airport was really busy!”
“You couldn’t have called as soon as you made it through Customs? Let me know? Timmy was looking forward to seeing both of you.”
Guilt flashed across Heather’s face. “I’m sorry. How is he? I miss him so much, I can’t wait to see him! Can we all have dinner together? I’m starved.”
“Timmy and I already ate, but I can heat up leftovers for you and Pete if you’ve haven’t eaten yet.”