47
Hayes
“That face looks serious. Bad news?” Everly asked from her spot in my bed.
I made my way towards her. I didn’t want to tell her. I wanted to lie to keep the relief that had lived on her face for the past few hours in place, but I’d never lie to Ev. “They found him.”
She visibly swallowed. “That’s good. I mean, his family deserves closure—”
“He’s alive.”
“What?” She straightened against the pillows. “How is that even possible?”
“My bullet caught him in the shoulder. A Forest Service team found him downriver. He’s in surgery right now, but they say he’ll make it.” I was trying not to be annoyed that it had taken Ruiz hours to call to give me the news. He was dealing with a storm and needed to work by the book.
I slid back under the covers, back to Everly and her warmth. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her against my chest. “This doesn’t change that you’re safe. Young and Williams brought Ian in for questioning, too. They’re holding him for as long as they can.”
“I know I’m safe. I just…”
“What?”
She traced circles on the planes of my chest. “I don’t know how to feel. On the one hand, I’m relieved that I’m not the reason he’s dead—”
“You never would’ve been the reason. Ben’s actions are what brought him to that place, not yours.”
“I know that in my head…”
I pressed my lips to her hair. “But your heart’s a different story.”
“Yes.”
And Ev’s heart would always bleed for others. Her soul would take on more responsibility than it needed to. But I couldn’t wish that away. Not when it was also her greatest strength. How she could reach people and animals in a way no one else could. The way she saw more than anyone else. Those were some of the things I loved most about Ev, and I couldn’t wish them away. Even if I knew one of the downsides of her gift was pain. I would simply have to be there to ease that hurt.
I brushed the hair away from her face. “I love you, Ev. We’ll get through this. You’re so damn strong.”
“And having you just makes me stronger.” Her fingers moved from drawing circles on my pec to figure eights. “I realized something when he had me.”
Just the words had images filling my mind, things that would haunt me forever, but I forced my muscles to relax as I held her. “What’s that?”
“You’re my resting place.”
It wasn’t anything I’d ever been called before, anything I’d ever aspired to. But in that moment, there was no higher compliment or calling.
Everly looked up at me. “I’ve never had that before. You helped me find my peace.”
My throat burned as I stared down at the woman who owned me, body and soul. “I feel it, too. Never felt more at ease than when I’m with you. I think we created that peace together.”
“Never felt anything more beautiful.”
And we were never going to lose it. I would marry her tomorrow if she’d let me. But I knew that might be a bit much for her. I knew it would come, though. That day where we stood up and promised forever to each other. But forever had already begun.
Everly tilted her head and brushed her lips against mine. The feel and taste of her eased the bit of me that was still on edge. That fear still clawing at muscle and sinew, feral and vicious. Even holding her in my arms hadn’t totally sated that beast. Because even though she was safe now, I’d still almost lost her.
Everly deepened the kiss, her tongue stroking mine, silently asking for more. It was all I wanted, and yet, I couldn’t. I gently took her face in my hands, pulling away from the kiss with a groan. “We can’t. You need to rest. Heal.”
She wouldn’t say it, but I knew Ev was hurting. I could see it in the way she’d moved up the stairs tonight. The last thing I wanted was to cause her any more pain.
Her hand pressed against my bare chest. “I need you, Hayes.”
No other words could’ve broken my resolve. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You won’t. But I need this. You. Us. I need to remember that I’m alive, and I haven’t lost you.”
My hand slipped beneath the borrowed t-shirt she wore, finding only bare skin. “You’ll never lose me.”
She looked up at me, almost pleading. “Then show me.”
My fingers slid up the outside of her leg, between her thighs, searching. Everly’s head tipped back as I stroked and explored. My lips found the column of her neck. I trailed kisses around the light bruises that had begun to form. As if my mouth could erase the marks, the memories, all of it.
I slipped two fingers inside her, stroking. Everly let out a low moan. The sound had me straining against the sweats I wore.
“Need you,” she whispered.
Those words again. My undoing.
“Please.”
My fingers slid out of her. I pulled down my sweats, my erection springing free. My hands went to Everly’s hips, lifting her gently so she straddled my lap. “This is how we’re gonna go. Nice and easy. You control the pace. If anything hurts, we stop.”
The corner of Ev’s mouth kicked up. “You’re going to let me have control?”
I couldn’t help the scowl that came to my lips. “I let you have control.”
“Sure, you do.” Her hands went to my shoulders, and all amusement fled as she sank onto me. Her forehead touched mine. “Needed this. Just you and me. Us.”
She was right. When we came together, something was different. Every feeling and sense seemed heightened. If someone had told me that was possible, I would’ve called them a dirty liar. But it was the truth.
Everly began moving, rocking her hips. It was a slow and glorious torture. My hands slipped under her tee and cupped her breasts. She arched into me, taking me deeper and pressing her flesh into my hands.
I let out a groan as my hips rose to meet her movements. I’d tried to stay still, but with Ev, it was impossible. I always wanted more. To feel every inch of skin. To be planted in her as deeply as possible. To lose myself in the way she always made me feel—alive and at home, all at the same time.
Everly quickened her pace, and we found that rhythm that was ours alone, the energy that lit my blood on fire. My hands dipped to her waist, my lips finding the shell of her ear. “Need more?”
“Just need you.”
My hand dropped lower, my thumb finding that bundle of nerves and circling. The space getting tighter with each pass.
“Hayes,” she breathed as if my name were part prayer, part plea.
My thumb hit the spot where she wanted me most, and I pressed. Everly tightened around me, throwing me over that cliff that was the best high and the sweetest downfall. And not once did she let her eyes close as we fell. Together. I saw love and need and home in those eyes.
Her forehead came down to rest on mine again. “Love you.”
“For the rest of my days.”
Everly’s hand found mine, twining our fingers. “It seems crazy to know this fast. But I feel the same way.”
“Sometimes, the truth is the thing you know the fastest.”
“I guess I can see that.”
“You know that means I’m moving in, right?”
She straightened, scanning my face. “You want to move in with me?”
I cupped her cheek with my hand, stroking her cheek with my thumb. “It’s important to you to make your sanctuary there, in every sense of the word. Of course, I’ll move to be with you. This is just a house. What you’re doing is important.”
Tears filled her eyes, spilling down her face. “I haven’t even been able to make myself walk inside the main house.”
“I’ve been thinking about that.”
She sniffed. “Thinking that I’m crazy to try to make living there work?”
“No. I think you just haven’t found the right blend of the old and the new.”
“Okay…”
“Th
e main house is in rough shape anyway. I say we tear it down and come up with plans for something new. Something that’s ours. You’re fulfilling your promise to give that land goodness again, but you’re also building something that’s you. Us.”
Everly brushed her mouth against mine. “Have I told you lately that I love you?”
I grinned against her lips. “You might’ve said it a time or two today. But I’ll never get tired of hearing it.” Not today or tomorrow. Not when we were fifty or ninety-two. Those were the words I wanted to hear from her every day for the rest of my life.
Epilogue
Everly
ONE MONTH LATER
“They look happy,” Addie said as she guided the rocking chair back and forth on my front porch.
My gaze traveled from her to the paddocks in the distance. Not only were our paint mare, Dolly, and our mini-donkey, Donut, happily settled in their new home, but a pig and two goats had joined the sanctuary. And this weekend, we were getting three miniature horses.
“I think they are.” I took a sip of lemonade. “So, what do you think? Whenever the house is done, you could live here in the cabin. You can stay as long as you want.”
Hayes and I had already had the main house leveled. The day the demolition crew had taken the first swing, I’d wept. I hadn’t realized just how much staring at the building I’d grown up in had been a weight. Just like Shiloh and the shed, I’d needed to start fresh. To tear it down so I could build the right thing in its place.
Hayes and I had met with an architect several times and were now waiting for the final plans to submit to the county. Addie had opted to stay with the Eastons instead of moving into the guest room in the cabin. I’d offered, but I also understood that it might’ve been awkward. The space was tiny, and we would’ve all been sharing a bathroom. But the Eastons had a ton of room.
Addie stared out at the animals. “Actually, Hayes said I could stay at his house in town when I’m ready. I’m not quite there yet. But soon. I want to stand on my own two feet.”
I swallowed down the disappointment. I wished I could have my cousin closer, to look out for her, but maybe that was why she’d refused. And I was touched that Hayes had offered his home to her. He’d already decided that he didn’t want to sell. This was the perfect use for the space.
I looked over at my cousin. She’d gained back a little of the weight she so desperately needed, but dark circles still rimmed her eyes. “It’s an open invitation. If you decide you don’t like living by yourself, this might be a happy medium.”
She reached down and scratched between Koda’s ears. He was fully healed now, and the Forest Service had caught the hunter who’d laid the trap that had broken his leg. The man was serving sixty days in jail. It wasn’t enough, but it was something. Koda leaned into Addie’s touch.
“Thanks, Ev,” she said quietly. “I appreciate it.”
Addie had taken to using Hayes’ nickname for me. I’d visibly winced every time she’d called me Evie. It reminded me too much of Ben. The Ben who was currently in county lockup, awaiting trial. His lawyer was using an insanity defense, and I wasn’t sure he was wrong. Ben was sick. And more than anything, I simply wanted him to get help.
Tires on gravel sounded as Hayes’ SUV crested the hill. Just the sight of it had the chill at the reminder of Ben fleeing. Addie rose, and I followed. “You don’t have to go. Why don’t you stay for dinner? I can drive you back after.”
Addie inclined her head towards Shiloh, who was walking up from the far paddock. “I’ll just go with Shiloh. I’m supposed to help Mrs. Easton with some of the cooking.”
“Okay…lunch tomorrow?”
“Maybe.”
Even though I had my cousin back, she was still a hundred miles away. Because while Ian had been arrested, Allen was still walking around free. Addie refused to report any abuse she’d suffered at his hands, no matter how many times Hayes had tried to broach the subject.
I pulled Addie in for a gentle hug. “Love you. I’m here if you need anything.”
Her arms circled me lightly. “Love you, too.”
She headed for Shiloh’s truck and gave Hayes a wave. Shiloh did the same. “See you guys tomorrow.”
Family dinner. The tension with Hadley and Julia hadn’t lessened any, but at least there were more people to distract both of them now.
Hayes waved to his sister and Addie and then climbed the porch steps. “Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?”
“I’ve got an extra glass just for you.” I reached for it and poured a tall glass of lemonade.
“There any vodka in that?”
I looked up, taking stock of Hayes’ features. “That bad?”
He bent to brush his lips across mine. “Better now.”
“Tell me everything.”
Hayes put down his gym bag and eased into the rocker that Addie had sat in as I pushed the glass of lemonade across the table between us. “Ben gave us everything we asked for. I almost feel bad for him. Ian knew that he was on the edge and used it to his advantage. Setting fire to the barn, carefully dropping warnings and innuendos.”
In Ian’s mind, no punishment was great enough for what he thought I’d put my family through. But he’d likely always get joy out of causing me pain.
Hayes shook his head. “Ben’s mind was already so broken, it was easy for Ian to plant those seeds. Didn’t make it any easier not to throttle him, though.”
“I’m glad you didn’t.”
“There was one weird thing.”
“What’s that?”
Hayes traced a design in the condensation on his glass as if using the action to puzzle something through in his mind. “He said he wasn’t the one who chased Hadley down in her truck.”
“Really?”
He nodded. “And I don’t think he’d lie about that one random fact when he gave us the truth about everything else.”
“Who was it, then? Someone with road rage issues?”
Hayes lifted a shoulder and dropped it again. “Maybe. Or someone who’d had too much to drink and was pissed off about something. But Hadley hasn’t had any more issues.”
At least, that she’d told us. And after the blowup with her brother, Calder, and her mom after that night, I wasn’t sure she would. “Hopefully, that’s it.”
My mind drifted back to Ben and Ian, my stomach twisting. “What did the D.A. say about trials?”
“They’re going to plead Ben out. Psychiatric ward of a prison instead of general population.”
“That’s good. Maybe he’ll get the help he needs. What about Ian?”
A muscle in Hayes’ cheek ticked. “He’s taking him to trial for the arson, at least. It’ll be an uphill battle for real time. But the good news is that the restraining order is permanent now.”
I had to think any time in a prison had the chance to be a true wake-up call for my brother. At the very least, I wouldn’t have to think about him for a while. I took a sip of lemonade and closed my eyes. I could feel the light breeze, smell the pine trees and the animals, sense Hayes next to me. That was all I needed to hook into my peace. As I opened my eyes, I looked at the man who’d become my resting place. “Now we can let it go. It’s out of our hands. Now, we get to live.”
His mouth curved. “That sounds like a great plan to me. And I think I’ve got something to mark the occasion.”
“What?”
Hayes reached down into his gym bag and pulled out a cardboard cylinder. “I picked these up from the architect today.”
I let out a little squeal and turned to move the pitcher and glasses to the side of the table. “Spread them out. I want to see.”
He laughed and did as I asked. My gaze roamed over what I knew was the first floor of what would be our home. My finger traced the lines of the walls. The open kitchen and living space. An office for me that looked out at the animals. A massive garage and mudroom that would help us through the winter months and hold the snowplow Hayes had insisted
on. I flipped to the second page and the upper floor. There were more bedrooms than I thought we’d need, a gorgeous suite for us, and even an attic space above we’d finish to use as a bonus room.
I looked up, smiling ear to ear. “It’s perfect.”
“I think so, too.” Hayes pulled back the second page to reveal a third. “I asked them to consult a landscape architect for some possible designs on the back garden. I was thinking here would be the perfect place to get married.” His finger circled the drawing of a pergola, but my gaze shot to his.
“Get married?”
Hayes pushed a small velvet box across the table. “Marry me, Ev.”
I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. Hayes picked up the box and rose. He crossed to me, settling on his knees between my legs. “You already know it’s you and me forever. But I want to start that next chapter as soon as the house is done. I want to tie myself to you in every way possible. I want to make a family with you. You want that?”
“I want that,” I whispered as tears spilled down my cheeks. “There’s nothing I want more.”
And as Hayes slid the gorgeous diamond onto my finger, I felt more of that peace I’d been looking for.
Want to know what happens when Hadley falls for her brother’s best friend? Find out in Falling Embers, available for purchase by tapping HERE. And turn the page for a special sneak peek.
* * *
Want more of Hayes and Everly? Get a special bonus scene delivered right to your inbox by tapping HERE.
Please Enjoy This Preview Of Falling Embers
Prologue
Hadley
PAST
“Hads, you know there’s no way she’s going to let you go.”
I leaned back against my bed and cradled the phone against my ear. “I think I can convince her.”
Tattered Stars Page 27