by KC Crowne
“Night, Trav.”
With that, he was gone, and I was alone. I kept on sipping my whiskey, the conversation with Travis playing in my mind. Wasn’t a surprise he’d said what he had – Travis had always been wild, the kind of guy to play by his own rules. Not that the rest of us weren’t like that in our own ways.
But it was what he’d reminded me of during the conversation that really stuck. I hadn’t been with anyone in a long while, and that was my own doing. Like I’d told him, plenty of gals had thrown themselves at me over the last few months. Hadn’t been appealing in the slightest, though.
The main idea was that I’d been in control.
With Sam, on the other hand, it’d been the opposite. I’d lost control, given in to what I couldn’t resist.
And it scared me.
What would happen the next time we were alone? Would Sam and I give in again? It couldn’t happen – one of us needed to be able to resist. I’d let my guard down once and once was enough.
We were only human, right? And a little screw-up every now and then was as human as it got. But one was all we could afford. All the things that could go wrong with Sam and me, well, they were too damn long to list.
I finished my drink, finally feeling ready for bed. As I headed to my room, I stopped in front of Sam’s door. God, I wanted to open it, stride over to her bed, and give her another round.
One screw-up – that’s all you get, bud.
I shook my head, coming to my senses. Moments later, I was in my room, out of my clothes, and under my covers. And the last thing that crossed my mind before I drifted off into a deep sleep was Sam’s gorgeous smile.
I woke up feeling like I’d just come out of a coma – in a good way. My body felt rested and refreshed, and the stretch I had as I sat up was enough to get my joints popping and my blood flowing.
The phone buzzed in my pocket, and I checked the time, my eyes widening when I realized I’d slept in. “Ah, hell,” I said to myself, hopping out of bed and grabbing my clothes.
I hadn’t slept in too late to see El up, but it was late enough that I didn’t have time for a shower. I stepped into my jeans and socks and boots and threw my shirt on, walking out of the room before finishing buttoning it.
And there was Sam. She’d been mid-stride when I’d come out, but she stopped at the sight of me, her eyes going right to my opened shirt, her eyebrows raising in surprise. She cleared her throat, shook her head, and lifted her eyes to mine.
“Good morning, Chance.”
I did my best to stifle the laugh. “Good morning to you, too.”
“Sleeping in a little?”
I ran my hand through my hair, getting it out of my eyes. “Somethin’ like that. Guess I needed it. Where’s El?”
“I was just about to get her ready for breakfast. You joining us?”
“Nah – got a late enough start already. Plenty of work for the day ahead.”
“How about I bring you a plate?” she asked. “I’ve only had a few of Mama G’s meals, but they’re nothing to miss.”
My stomach grumbled noisily.
“I’m going to take that as a yes,” she said with a smile. “I’ll meet you at the cabin.”
“Sounds fine to me. Thank you.”
With another smile, she curved around me. I turned, my eyes locked on her perfect, round ass while she headed down the stairs. My cock twitched in my jeans – a reminder of the self-restraint I would have to exercise.
I walked to the cabin, the morning perfect and clear, the storm clouds of last night having given way to a blue sky, the raindrops shimmering on the grass. At the office I went to work, planning the day for the tourists. Time flew by, and before too long, the door opened, and Ellie burst into the cabin.
“Morning, Daddy!”
I was surprised. She was chipper, happy even – not even close to the dour mood she’d been in for most of the time she’d been with me.
“Well, mornin’ to you too, kiddo.”
Sam followed her in at a slower pace, a Saran-wrap-covered plate in her hand. “Got your breakfast,” she said. “Cheesy scrambled eggs with biscuits and gravy.” She set the plate next to my cup of coffee.
My stomach rumbled again, and I looked at her gratefully. “Thank you. I’m starved.”
“You’re welcome,” she said with another smile, then looked at Ellie. “Alright, Ellie. Ready to get to it?”
“Ready!”
I watched as they sat down at the kitchen table, Ellie totally focused on her studies as Sam guided her. She was patient with her, calm when Ellie didn’t seem to understand something and would get frustrated. It was a hell of a sight. And all I could hope was that what we’d done hadn’t screwed it up.
Chapter 10
SAMANTHA
We needed to talk about what had happened. But I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
The sex had been quick and heated and almost primal. We hadn’t even bothered to undress completely. Even days later, it was fresh in my mind.
And part of me wanted it again.
But it was a mistake. He was my boss, and it was really as simple as that. The loop it’d throw El for was only another reason to make sure it stayed in the past.
Chance and I had been giving one another space. However, I was beginning to think he was avoiding me altogether. I figured that a strong-and-silent cowboy would think that ignoring the subject was the best way to handle it. Imagining Chance talking about sex, seeing his full lips pull together as he said the word…God, it was enough to get me hot and bothered just thinking about it.
“Are you okay?” El’s voice snapped me out of my daydreaming.
“Huh?”
“You looked funny.” She stared up at me with those big, golden eyes, the English work spread out on the table in front of us. We were alone in the cabin, Chance having gone out to see to some business in town.
I had no idea what to say to El. Oh, just thinking about when me and your dad…I mean, shit – that’d be a hell of a way to have the birds and bees talk. She was too young for any of that, to say nothing of how confusing it’d be for her to hear about her teacher and her dad being more than just friends.
“Just…thinking about what we need to get done for the rest of the day.”
“Oh. How much more time?”
“Someone’s ready to be done,” I said with a smile.
“It’s so nice outside. I kinda wanna go out and play.” Her voice held a pleading note.
“Is that right? What do you want to play?”
She cocked her head to the side, giving the matter serious thought. “Maybe chase the ducks around?”
“You sure about that? Ducks can be mean.”
“They’re cute. I want one for a pet.”
I laughed. “You run that by your dad?”
“He’d probably say no. But I still want to play with them.”
“Hmm. How about instead of finishing English, we do a little PE?”
“Like gym?”
“Yeah! Go outside, enjoy the nice weather.”
El’s face lit up as if I’d taken her to a candy store and told her she could get anything she wanted. “Let’s do it!”
We finished the little bit of English work left before packing up and heading outside. The day was perfect, sunny, warm, and clear, with just enough breeze not to be hot. I thought about Portland; every other day there was cloudy and drab. Not Texas, though. I knew it was a cliché, but the state was really a whole other country. I’d had some doubts about moving, but with each passing day, it began to feel more and more like home.
“Come on!” El called, taking off in a run. “Let’s go!”
I hurried to keep up with her, but the kid was fast as hell. We reached the big pond in front of the main cabin quickly, the ducks quacking as El approached, laughing. We spent the next hour there, feeding the ducks, walking around, enjoying the beautiful weather.
And then, Chance showed up. He was dressed in his usual je
ans and checkered shirt, a cowboy hat on his head. His shirt was unbuttoned enough to show off the top lines of his pecs, and the sight brought me right back to our night in the library, how fucking sexy his body looked, the muscles of his torso flexing and tensing as he pounded me hard from behind.
“Howdy, ladies,” he said, sauntering closer.
“Hey, Daddy,” El said, her attention focused on the ducks.
“Hey,” I said, my voice soft, almost shy.
“You two have a good day?”
“Yeah!” El exclaimed, glancing at him quickly before returning her attention to the ducks. “We did science, and then we made sandwiches, and now we’re hanging out with the ducks.”
“I see that,” Chance said, glancing at the quacking animals. “Say, El – why don’t you come back to the cabin with me? We need to get you cleaned up for dinner. And I bet Sam’s ready for a little time to relax.”
“Aw, do we have to?”
“Come on now, kiddo.”
“I’ll see you in a little bit, El. We’ll have dinner, and I bet Mama G’s made some good stuff for dessert.”
That brightened her mood. El threw her arms around my legs, giving me a quick, tight hug before heading off with her dad. “Okay! See you later!”
“One of us has to be the bad cop,” Chance teased over his shoulder as they left. “Better me than you.”
I grinned, waving to him. It was nice – the first normal-ish exchange we’d had in a while. But it convinced me even more that he and I needed to talk, that the awkward tension between us wasn’t going to just go away.
I’d have to be strong. We’d be alone, and being alone meant temptation. Sleeping together again was a bad idea – of that I was certain.
As much fun as I’d been having with El, a little time to myself sounded nice. I headed into the main house, saying hello to the members of the Walker family I passed on the way up to my room. I loved being there. The family had been so warm and accommodating that it hardly felt like I’d only been a member of the household for a week.
In my room, I plopped down onto the bed, folding my hands behind my bed. A nap sounded kind of nice. Maybe I’d catch an hour or so before dinnertime. But I didn’t get the chance. As soon as I got comfortable, my phone went off in my pocket. A quick check of the screen revealed that it was a voicemail – I must’ve missed the call when I was playing with El.
The number wasn’t one in my phone. And that wasn’t the only weird part. After all, who the hell still left voice mails? Wasn’t that what text messages were for?
I dialed my voice box and listened.
“Hey, Sunshine.”
My blood ran cold as soon as I heard the first two words. I recognized the voice: Kyle’s sneering voice was one I’d pick out anywhere.
“I was pretty bummed when I found out you skipped town on me. That any way to treat someone you love? Just wanted to call to let you know that you can run, you can change your number, you can do whatever the hell you’re doing. But I’ll find you. You’re mine. You’ll always be mine. See you soon, Sunshine.”
Without thinking, I hit the delete button and tossed the phone aside.
I wanted to be strong. I’d left the fucker in Portland with no plans to ever seen him again. I’d been strong enough to do that – why couldn’t I be strong enough to ignore some likely empty threats? No way he knew where he was, even if he had managed to get my new number.
In spite of all the reassurances in my head, frustrated tears formed in my eyes. I hated how Kyle could make me feel. I knew how vindictive he could be, how he couldn’t let things go when he felt insulted. And what bigger insult could there be than me leaving him without a word?
I shot a suspicious glance at my phone as if Kyle having my number meant it was somehow plotting against me. Silly, I knew, but the voicemail had left me ten different kinds of frazzled.
Staying cooped up in my room felt like the worst idea in the world. I kicked off my flats and put on some running shoes. Fresh air seemed like a necessity. Once I was ready, I left the bedroom and started down the hall.
Chance was down in the entryway. He appeared to be on the verge of leaving as if he’d had the same idea I did.
“Howdy,” he said. He flashed me an easy smile. But it faded quickly. He could sense something was wrong.
Shit. I hated how easy I could be to read at times. So much for keeping my situation to myself.
“Somethin’ up?”
“Just…going for a walk. Getting some fresh air.”
“I was thinkin’ the same thing. Mind if I join you?”
It was a strange request, considering we’d been keeping our distance since the incident in the library. But he could tell something was amiss with me, which was strange since we’d known each other such a short time. Part of me wanted to be alone. But Chance was calming to be around, his quiet strength a comfort. Despite everything, his serenity was what I needed.
“Sure.”
He put his hat on his head and tugged it down by the front of the brim, following this up with another slight smile. “Let’s mosey, then.”
He opened the front door, and we left. As I stepped out, he placed his hand on the small of my back, guiding me. It might’ve been nothing more than a polite gesture, but it still felt good, reassuring, as if he was telling me without words that he was there for me.
Once we were out front, Chance and I walked in silence for a time. The sun was beginning to set over the trees, the wild oranges of its light fading into a white-ish blue.
“Great night out,” I said. “Kinda warm, too.”
“That’s Texas. Sometimes it gets hot and just don’t quit.” He nodded toward the house. “There’s a pool out back if you hadn’t noticed.”
“Is that right? Damn – house is so big there’s all kinds of stuff I haven’t found out about.”
“Nice and secluded, too. If you’re feelin’ it later, go for a swim. Sometimes a dip is all you need to set your mind right.”
I noted the information and tucked it away. But his words made it clear he knew that something was going on with me.
“Is it that obvious?” I asked. No sense in trying to hide it.
“I mean, I’m not one to pry in personal business. But it was painted all over your face when you came down the stairs. You wanna keep it to yourself, that’s fine. You wanna talk about it…” He looked up for a moment as if something had occurred to him. “Then again, if it’s something I got a right to know about it, I expect you to be open with me.”
He had a point. Regardless of whether Kyle might actually find me or not, those were his intentions. That made it absolutely Chance’s business. I took a deep breath, trying to figure out where to begin.
“I got a phone call from my ex.”
“Your ex?”
I nodded. Even though I was planning to tell Chance, I still wanted to keep some of the details to myself. I’d been stuck in a shitty relationship with a terrible man – he really didn’t need to know the grit.
“Kyle. When I left Portland, I left him behind too.”
“I see.”
“My plans were to leave my old life behind like I said – to start fresh.”
“And ending your relationship was part of that.”
“A big part, yeah.”
Chance regarded me for a long moment, and he could tell there was something more to what I was saying. But he didn’t pry.
“Anyway, I changed my number when I left. Part of the whole starting fresh thing. But when I went up to my room just now, I had a voicemail from him.”
“You serious?” His eyes flashed.
“Yeah.”
“And what’d he say?”
“He said he wasn’t going to just let me walk on out him like that. He said that he’d find me, whatever it took. That I was his, and I always would be.”
As I spoke the words, I realized they were more severe than I realized – what if Chance decided this was too much to take, tha
t my being there might put Ellie in danger? A cold spike of fear jabbed into my stomach and spread out through my limbs.
Anger formed on Chance’s face, but it wasn’t at me. “Are you fuckin’ kidding?”
“I’m not. I know I should’ve told you, but I honestly thought I’d gotten away from him.”
He stopped, putting his hand on my shoulder. Like always, his touch comforted me. “I’ll tell you this right now – he’d have to be a damn fool to try anything with us Walker boys lookin’ out for you.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “You’re looking out for me?”
“Of course I am. You’re part of this little clan of ours. And we watch out for our own. That sorry little shit steps one foot on this property, and he’s gonna find my size thirteens so far up his ass he’ll be tastin’ boot leather for a month.”
Relief washed over me, a small smile forming at Chance’s colorful words. “Thank you,” I said. “I really appreciate it.”
“It’s only right. No way in hell any of us will let him try anything. Hell, he won’t just have to worry about us boys – Mama G hears about this, and he might find himself dealing with a steel ladle to the side of the head.” He flashed me a grin, and a little chuckle left my mouth.
“Alright,” I said nodding. “That makes me feel a hell of a lot better.”
“Of course. Put your mind at ease. Ain’t nothin’ gonna happen to you here, Sam.”
We continued the rest of the walk in comfortable silence. Life at Rainbow Canyons was going to be different than anything I’d known, but his words made me realize how I’d never felt like a part of a family, a member of a community.
It felt good.
But my thoughts returned to Kyle. I had no idea what he was planning. The man was capable of anything. I only hoped I hadn’t just put Chance and his whole family in the middle of my personal shit show.
Chapter 11
CHANCE
We didn’t walk for all that long – just a quick circle around the ranch. Our small talk was light, easy banter, but throughout I couldn’t get what Sam had told me out of my mind.