by K. C. Crowne
She waved her hand through the air dismissively.
“What’s that all about?”
Mama G locked her eyes with mine, a mischievous smile on her lips. It was a smile I’d seen time and time again – it meant she knew what I was thinking, that she could see right through the BS coming out of my mouth. And I knew what words were coming next.
“How long have I known you, son?”
I grinned. We’d had this conversation many times before. I knew the right answer. “Why, you’ve known me for thirty-five years.”
The amount of years changed depending on how old I was, of course. But the message was the same.
“That’s right. All thirty-five years of your life, ever since I pushed that big ol’ head of yours out of me. And in all those years, don’t you think I know when you’re spinnin’ a tale?”
“I’m not lyin’, Ma,” I said with a shrug. “I’m her boss and she’s my employee. Nothin’ can happen between us.”
“We’re not talkin’ about what’s proper here, Travis,” she scoffed. “We’re talkin’ about what you want. And I can tell what you want just by lookin’ into your eyes when you’re talkin’ about the woman.” She grinned. “I’m thinkin’ you might be a little crazy about her.”
“I don’t know if I’d go that far, Ma,” I retorted, shaking my head. “We’ve only known each other for a couple of days.”
“Couple of days is all it takes to know if you’re crazy about someone,” she snickered. “Took less than that for me to know how much I liked your daddy.”
“I mean, she’s pretty and all. And I like spendin’ time with her…”
“She’s more that pretty,” she said. “She’s a real beauty. You’d be crazy to pass a woman like her up.” Mama G flashed her sly smile, her eye almost twinkling. Knowing her, she was thinking about wedding bells and grandkids.
But before the conversation could continue, Skye returned. “Didn’t miss the bell, did I?”
Mama G checked the clock on the wall. “You sure didn’t.”
“Believe me,” I said. “You won’t be able to miss it.”
“And it’s about time,” Mama announced. “You two, help me finish settin’ the table, would ya?”
We went to it, my conversation with Mama about Skye fresh in my mind. When the time rolled around, Mama hit the dinner bell, the ringing loud and heard throughout the ranch. I heard the stampede that always came before a meal, and seconds later the rest of the family poured into the kitchen and took their places at the large farmer’s table.
Dinner was on. We went right into eating and talking and all the stuff that came with a good meal. And Skye fit right in, joking around with Chance, talking shop about horses with Wyatt, gabbing with Emily, and getting along just fine with everyone. It was almost like she was already a member of the family.
And throughout it all, I couldn’t stop staring.
Maybe Mama was right. And maybe that scared the hell out of me.
Adam
I wasn’t sure what the hell I was thinking when I’d fired off the text to Travis letting him know I was stopping by Rainbow Canyons. My hand sort of just…moved on its own. He responded quickly, telling me they’d just finished dinner and if I hurried, I’d be there in time for dessert – Mama G’s famous blackberry pie. Dinner for me had been some nachos from the Mexican place down the way, and something home-cooked sounded good.
I had a bit of envy for Travis and his family. They were all close as hell, living on the same property and eating all their meals together. Sometimes it made me a touch envious. But I put all that out of my head as I grabbed my keys and headed out.
The drive was only about twenty minutes, and before too long I was pulling onto the property. I drove to the ranch and parked. I still wasn’t sure what I’d come to do. Had I been in the mood for some socializing? Or was it Skye?
I had a standing invitation at Rainbow Canyons, so I didn’t bother knocking before opening the door and heading in. The smell of freshly baked pie was thick in the air, and my stomach grumbled. Knowing Mama G, there’d be homemade ice cream to go along with the pie.
The woman herself appeared in the entry hall, carrying a tray with pie and ice cream in a bowl. “Adam!” she exclaimed happily. “Heard your truck pull up and went ahead and made you some dessert. Hopin’ that wasn’t too presumptuous of me.” She grinned as she handed me the bowl.
“You know I’d run here on foot if there was pie waitin’ for me,” I joked.
She reached up and pinched my cheek. “What a charmer – always knows what to say. Anyway, the rest of the clan’s helpin’ me clean up. I’ll send Travis in to meet you if you wanna sit a spell in the lounge.”
“Sounds good,” I said. “And, uh, if you wouldn’t mind havin’ Skye come with us.”
Mama G narrowed her eyes in curiosity. “I sure will. Gimme a sec, cutie.”
She was off and I mentally kicked myself. Mama G wasn’t stupid. Far from it, actually. And she’d known me long enough to be able to read me as well as she could her own kids. All it’d taken was a few words and she likely knew what I was thinking about Skye.
I plopped down in one of the big, comfy chairs in the lounge. The night had brought a chill with it, so the crackling fire in the fireplace was more than inviting. I dipped my spoon into the ice cream and scooped a little pie along with it. Da
“Damn,” I groaned aloud. Delicious as Heaven. Almost good enough to take my mind off all the bullshit going on. Almost. I heard footsteps, and looked up to see Skye and Travis stepping in.
“There’s the man,” said Travis, slapping my shoulder on his way to the couch.
“Howdy,” I said, not sure what else to say.
“Hi, Travis,” Skye greeted with a warm smile.
It was good to see her, but the sight of her with Travis was enough to send a burst of jealousy through my body. Even worse knowing she would be staying close with him on the property. God only knew what they might get up to. I didn’t even want to think about it.
They both sat down, the crackle of the fire filling the silence until Travis spoke. “So, I talked to Skye about stayin’ here. She’s cool with it.”
I took another bite of my pie, the rich ice cream blending perfectly with the fresh tartness of the blackberries and the flaky, crisp crust. Then I set my bowl down, ready to get on with it. “Good call,” I said, glancing at her. “You’ll be safer here.”
Skye nodded. “I know. It’s gonna be weird not be stayin’ at my place. But…I know it’s for the best.”
“You’re right about that,” Travis agreed. “No safer place to be than here.”
“There’s the little matter of all your things,” I commented. “Guessin’ you didn’t pack your life up when you came to work today.”
“Right,” she said with a nod. “I need to go back to my house and grab some stuff.”
“I’ll take you.” Travis and I spoke at the same time, our words perfectly overlapping. We regarded each other with the same surprised expression.
Skye laughed. “Got a couple eager guys here.”
“I’ll do it,” I said quickly. “My evening’s free. Nothin’ else goin’ on.”
“But,” Travis countered, “I’m gonna be back here anyway. No sense in you goin’ to her place, then here, then back to yours.”
“It’s fine,” Skye interrupted. “Adam can take me.”
She’d obviously picked up on a potential spat and wanted to squash it before it turned into anything else. Travis nodded, apparently getting the same vibe I was.
“Alright,” he said. “Suppose I can take care of a few things in the office. But don’t dawdle – bring her back quick as you can.” His eyes flashed, as if he realized what he’d said might border on possessive. “I mean, for her safety and all. God knows who’s out there looking for her.”
“Yeah,” I said. “Right about that.” I ate a couple more bites of pie and ice cream, finishing my dessert. I couldn’t leave even a
dollop in the bowl. “God this is good.”
Skye laughed. “My tummy is so full!”
“Mama G takes good care of us,” Travis acknowledged. “I’ll take your bowl for you.”
“Thanks, man. Let’s head out sooner than later,” I said to Skye. “Before it gets too dark.”
“Sounds right by me.”
“Y’all head out,” Travis, reaching for my bowl.
Skye and I headed out, and I caught a glimpse of Travis’s face as we left. Maybe I was wrong, but he was looking all kinds of jealous. The situation was ridiculous, and I made a mental note to not make it any worse.
“See you in a bit, Travis,” Skye called.
She flashed him a smile, one that sent another surge of jealousy through me. I hated that I was acting that way, like I was trying to find coded signals or some such in the way they communicated. I felt like some immature kid rather than the grown man I was.
We hurried to my truck and drove off the property. There was silence at first, and I knew it needed to be broken.
“So, you met the whole clan,” I stated, glancing at her.
“I sure did,” she said with a smile.
“And how was it? Not easy gettin’ thrown into the middle of a Walker family meal. I remember my first time, felt like an outsider at first, until…”
“Until you didn’t.”
I grinned. “That’s right. Feels like you’re outnumbered at first. But before too long, you start to think of yourself as one of the family.”
“Exactly. I mean, I was a little stressed about going, I have to admit,” she confessed. “But they’re all so warm and inviting. Think I’m gonna like my time there.”
“And you’re sure about that, right? Staying on the ranch?” I realized as soon as I’d said the words that I was gunning for a certain response, maybe that she’d instead choose to stay with me.
“Yeah, I’m sure,” she assured me. “Big place – my room’s bigger than my damn house. And knowin’ the whole gang’s gonna be looking out for me takes a load off my mind.”
“You’re right. Best possible thing to do, I’m thinkin’.”
Still, part of me wished she’d change her mind, that she’d want to stay with me. But Rainbow Canyons really was the best place for her. Not a chance Bryce would try anything with her there.
Skye’s phone buzzed in her bag. She took it out and regarded the screen with a confused expression before answering. “Hello?... Yes, this is Skye Philips…Police?”
I frowned at her, though I didn’t ask any questions.
“No, no other incidents…anything about the car? ...not a thing?...really, you can’t find out a damn thing about it? It was wrecked! Surely, there’s somethin’ you can— Now, you don’t need to take that kind of tone with me…”
I wasn’t sure of the exact words being spoken, but I didn’t like them one bit. “Lemme see that,” I said, reaching over with my eyes still on the road. Skye was flustered and put the phone into my hand. “Hello? Who am I speakin’ with?”
“This is Officer Mayer with the Patterson Police Department. And who are you?”
“Name’s Adam Carter. I’m a friend of Skye’s. I was there when the officers took the report for the wrecked car,” I informed him. I wanna know what you’ve found out, if you’ve gotten any closer to knowin’ who did it.”
“Haven’t found out anything. Probably won’t.” His tone was short, annoyed even. I didn’t like it.
“Listen, this woman’s life is in danger, and I wanna know what you’re doin’ to find out who’s threatenin’ her.”
“I get that, but there’s nothin’ we can do about it.”
“Nothin’ you can do? How’s that possible?”
“Lookin’ like an act of petty vandalism. No cameras means no suspects. And that’s all there is to it.”
“So…what, you’re just givin’ up?” There was a silence on the other end. I clenched my jaw as I waited impatiently for his answer.
“Alright, you want my advice?”
“What’s that?”
“There’s no evidence, no nothin’. Can’t say if anyone’s lookin’ for the girl, but if she wants to be smart about it, she’ll keep her head low, not go out of her way to make herself a victim.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “Are you serious? You’re the damn cops! And you’re tellin’ her to, what, stay out of trouble or some shit?”
“Listen, bud. There’s nothing we can do, like I said. The girl needs to be smart and not attract attention to herself. And that’s all I’m gonna say.”
“And here’s all I’m gonna say – this is a load of bullshit, and from where I’m sittin’, it sounds to me like you’re not doin’ your damn job.”
“The hell you say?”
“You heard me. Now, you and your boys better get your asses in gear and get to the bottom of this or I’m gonna be havin’ a few words with your superior. Got it?”
“Better watch your next words carefully, son.”
“Call when you start doin’ your job.” With that, I hung up. I wanted to put my damn fist through the windshield.
Skye took the phone and slipped it back into her purse. “That was…weird,” she said. “Why couldn’t they help?”
“Damn good question. Don’t like this shit one bit.”
We reached the turnoff for Skye’s place. Once we were on the road leading to her house, she quickly leaned forward and gasped. “What the hell? There’s a car in front of my house!”
In front of her little house was a black car, a fancy one. The windows were tinted, so I couldn’t see who was in there. I gunned the engine, cutting the distance between my truck and the car, but as soon as I drew close, the car sped off, disappearing around the block.
For a moment, I wanted to give chase. But Skye was in the truck with me, and for all I knew the other car was packed full of armed goons. As much as I wanted to find out what the hell was going on, I didn’t want to put Skye’s life in danger.
“What…what is goin’ on?” Skye asked, fear in her voice.
“Bryce. Not a damn doubt in my mind about it.” I pulled the truck to a stop in front of her house. “Come on. I’m goin’ in first.”
We approached the house, my head swiveling in every direction. My blood pumping in my veins, the adrenaline making me feel hot. Skye slipped the key into the lock, and I hurried inside, looking around for anyone or any sign of a break-in. But there was nothing.
“That car out front,” Skye commented. “Why?”
“Maybe spyin’ on you. Maybe worse. But we’re not gonna stick around to see if they come back,” I told her. “I’ll be out front. You grab whatever you need and let’s get movin’, alright?”
Skye nodded and went to it. I returned to the truck, my eyes on the road for any sign of the black car or any other strangers. Minutes passed without a sign of anything. Anger roiled inside of me as I thought about what the hell the person in the car had planned for Skye. Made me want to go on a damn rampage.
After about fifteen minutes, the front door opened and Skye came out with a few bags. I hurried to help her, tossing the stuff in the back of the truck.
“That all?”
“Just some clothes and things. Nothin’ else I really need.”
“Then let’s move.”
I pulled the truck away from the house, relief settling over me with every bit of distance we put between us and her house. Soon we were back on the main road through Patterson and heading towards Rainbow Canyons.
“That was scary as shit,” Skye confessed. “It’s one thing to mess with my truck, it’s a whole other to…damn, I don’t even wanna think about what they would’ve done if I’d been there.”
“Nothin’s gonna happen to you,” I swore. “Me and Travis will see to that.” Without thinking, I reached over and took her hand, squeezing it tight. “I’m gonna keep you safe. I swear it.”
Skye squeezed my hand right back. Her touch was…incredible. D
espite everything going on, I wanted was more.
“Adam?”
“Yeah?”
“Pull over.”
Confused, I glanced at her. “Why?”
“Just do it.”
I found a secluded spot and pulled the truck into it. We turned to each other, and I understood from one look we wanted the exact same thing.
But I had to resist.
Skye
“What’s wrong?” Adam asked, confused and concerned.
I wished I knew how to answer that damn question. I was scared, but at the same time I couldn’t stop thinking about his hand on mine, how good it felt. “I…just want to thank you.”
“Thank me?”
“Yeah. I wanna thank you for goin’ out of your way to keep me safe. That car at the house…what if they hadn’t just gone away? What if…” I trailed off, and sensing my fear, Adam squeezed my hand harder.
“You don’t need to thank me. I’m only doin’ what’s right.”
And that made me even more grateful for him. Adam didn’t have to do what he was doing. He could’ve written me off, decided the situation wasn’t any of his concern. After all, we’d only known each other for a short while. But he hadn’t Neither him nor Travis were doing that. Instead, they were risking themselves to keep me safe.
How protective Adam was, how angry he’d been at the idea of anyone harming me, how he’d rushed into the house before me without any heed to his own safety…it’d done something to me, made me feel a kind of way that I couldn’t quite put my finger on.
But I knew for damn sure that I wanted him. Hell, though I didn’t know it at that exact second, it’d been the reason I’d asked him to pull the truck over.
“This whole thing,” I said, waving a hand in the air. “I don’t know what to make of it.”
Adam nodded. “I get that. It’s gotta be scary as hell for you. Powerful people got you in their sights. But like I said, me and Travis…”
I shook my head. “No, I’m not talkin’ about that.”
“Then what’re you talkin’ about?”
“Um, the other thing with me, you, and Travis. You know…”