by D. F. Jones
“I don’t know, Dad. She could’ve had one made.”
“You’re reaching, son.” Linc squeezed Jax’s shoulder. “I swear it’s her. You screwed up big time.”
Jax’s stomach knotted, and he set the bag down. “Oh, God. What have I done?”
“Nothing to be proud of.” Linc scoffed. “I suggest you go try to make this right with Matilda.”
“Yes, sir. On my way.” Jax took the stairs two at a time.
He stood outside her door, listening to Tillie’s sobs. His heart squeezed painfully, and he rubbed his chest. He could barely catch a breath. He leaned against the doorframe for a few moments, and then knocked.
“It’s me, Tillie. Please let me in.”
“Go away, Jax.”
“I’m sorry. I’m an asshole with trust issues, and it’s not your fault. I shouldn’t have reacted so quickly.” He ran his hand over the door’s smooth surface. “I don’t blame you if you never want to see me again, but there is one thing I want you to know, sweetheart. I love you.”
His words were met with silence, and his gut twisted into a knot. But he wasn’t leaving until she let him talk to her face-to-face. “Tillie, I—”
The door opened, cutting him off.
Her eyes were red and swollen, and she held a well-worn stuffed animal. Fresh tears streamed down her face.
“Leave me alone, Jax. My heart can’t take much more.” Her voice was barely a whisper.
“I was so wrong. Please give me another chance. Give us another chance.” He brushed away her tears. More followed. “I love you so damned much it hurts.
“We’ve only known each other a few weeks, Jax.”
“Are you saying you don’t feel the same way I do?” He knew she did… or had, until his little stunt downstairs. “You’re my heart and soul.” He caressed her cheek. “I need you in my life. Whatever you can give me, two weeks, two years, or a lifetime. I know what we have is rare.”
She took his hand and pulled him into her room. “You broke my heart, Jax. But I do love you. I can’t imagine my life without you, either. But I—”
He cut her words off with a scorching kiss. She kept a hold of the stuffed dog and didn’t try to stop him.
“You’re right. What we have is special.” Tillie stepped out of his embrace, and he instantly missed the warmth of her. “Your actions require more than sugar-coated words. You must earn my trust, and forgiveness.”
“Anything you say, sweetheart.” He was groveling, but that was okay. His woman had fought hard to forgive her mother. Jax knew she’d fight equally hard to forgive him.
About Teri Riggs
USA Today Bestselling Author and third-place finalist for the Kiss of Death’s Daphne Award in romantic suspense, Teri Riggs, writes contemporary romantic suspense, historical western romantic suspense, and romantic comedy.
She lives in Marietta, Georgia, with her handsome husband and two spoiled puppies who seem to think they rule the world. Okay, maybe they do. She married her high-school sweetheart over forty years ago and believes that qualifies her as an expert in writing happily-ever-afters.
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Also By Teri Riggs
The MIA Groom
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Chapter 1
CAT
* * *
Cat skidded to a stop and stared at the flames. They roared almost as high as the fir trees surrounding the small clearing. Mrs. Applegate stood on the front lawn of the tiny cottage screaming, and Mr. Applegate ran between the burning building and his wife like a flustered chicken, his grey hair flopping in his eyes.
“Thank God you both got out,” Cat said, having to bend down and rest her hands on her knees to catch her breath. She’d sprinted all the way up the hill from the machinery shed when she heard Mrs. Applegate’s distant screams. “Are either of you hurt?”
“No, we’re both fine,” Mr. Applegate puffed. His face red and flushed, eyes wide with fear. Cat worried that the elderly man might collapse on the grass at any second.
“Jasper, oh my Jasper. He’s still in there,” screamed Mrs. Applegate as she caught sight of Cat. “You have to go and rescue him. You can’t let him die in there.”
Cat looked between the elderly couple and the small, luxury cabin. The two VIP guests were physically unharmed; their mental state, however, was another thing altogether. Did they really expect Cat to run into that raging bonfire?
“Jasper. Oh, my Jasper,” Mrs. Applegate wailed again. Then she fell to her knees and threw her hands in the air, her face going the color of beetroot.
The main house was nearly ten minutes’ drive from here. Even if she rang Dean, there was no way he’d get here in time. Her boss would be getting changed for dinner. Soon the other guests would start to converge for the traditional Stargazer Ranch Sunday roast. He needed to know that one of his beautiful cabins was on fire. Cat turned on her booted heel and stared down the hill to see if anyone else was coming. Where were all those bloody ranch hands when you needed them? She snorted with disgust. Looked like she was it. A rescue party of one.
“All right, Mrs. Applegate, calm down. I’ll go and get him,” Cat said, having to raise her voice over the roaring flames.
One of the small windows at the front of the cottage exploded outward, releasing a gush of flames and Cat flinched. If she didn’t go in right now, Jasper would die. If he wasn’t already dead, she thought darkly.
“Where did you last see him?” she called to the hysterical woman.
“I was taking a nap. He was asleep on the bed with me. But when Frank came rushing in, yelling at me to get out, he disappeared.” Mrs. Applegate’s normally immaculately quaffed hair was lying in limp strands around her face, her mascara running down her cheeks in black rivers.
“I'll find him.” Cat desperately hoped she could live up to her promise. “Have you called the fire brigade?” she yelled as she made her way toward the front of the building. The heat radiating from the fire increased with every step. She had on blue jeans and hiking boots, but her long-sleeved plaid shirt was still draped over the front end of the snowmobile she’d been servicing when she heard the screams. Her flimsy white T-shirt wouldn’t be much protection from the terrible heat. How in hell was she going to get in there without being burnt to a crisp?
“No, I haven’t,” Mr. Applegate replied. “I’ll do it right now.” Cat could hear him behind her as he shakily relayed the details to the operator on the other end of the phone.
“Phone Dean and let him know, as well,” Cat said, then put the older couple out of her mind, her gaze taking in the small log cabin merrily blazing in front of her. Flames and black smoke billowed out of the left-hand front window. And more flames rose from the back on the same side. It looked like the fire may have started in the small kitchen. But the right-hand side of the cabin seemed to be relatively untouched, which was good because that’s where all the bedrooms were.
The front door stood wide open, grey smoke pouring out in clouds. All these individual cabins on the ranch were built to exactly the same design. Which meant Cat could mentally map out the inside of the cabin with great accuracy.
Pulling the red bandanna from around her neck, she quickly tied it over her mouth and nose. Taking a last deep breath of clean air, she dove into the darkened doorway. The sun was beginning to set, the golden glow of evening light touching everything with its spreading fingers. As soon as she went through the door, however, it was like she’d stumbled into another realm. The smoke was so thick, she couldn’t see her hand in front of her face, and everything was just shadows and shapes. If she hadn’t known the layout of the cabin so well, she might have gotten turned around. Immediately, her eyes began to sting, a
nd she coughed in the thick fumes, even with the bandanna tied around her face.
Using her hands to feel along the corridor, she made her way to the first bedroom. Shouting for Jasper, she rounded into the room, but it was even darker in here. How was she ever going to find him? Getting down onto her hands and knees, she began to feel around, still calling his name. The smoke wasn’t as thick near the ground, but she still spent fruitless minutes searching before she finally decided he wasn’t in here.
As she made her way back into the corridor, it seemed like the smoke had become thicker and more toxic. She coughed uncontrollably. There was a loud crash and a burst of sparks spewed out of the kitchen door. Cat stopped.
Should she keep going? Had part of the roof caved in? This was crazy. What was she doing in here? Was finding Jasper worth risking her life for? Then she thought about Mrs. Applegate outside, screaming hysterically, and the look on her boss’ face if he found out she hadn’t tried her hardest for his oldest and most well-loved guests. She had to check the next room, at least.
The second bedroom was halfway down the corridor, toward the kitchen. The sparks had turned into many small fires, catching on the door frame and even on the wooden floorboards near the door. At least they cast flickering light for Cat to see by.
The second bedroom was smaller, the large bed taking up most of the space. She had to squeeze past the dresser drawer to get along one side. The smoke was so thick it felt like she was breathing through cotton wool and she couldn’t stop coughing. Following a hunch, she got down on her belly and shuffled her way under the bed. Something moved in the darkness.
“Jasper, is that you? Come here, boy. It’s okay,” she crooned. Soft fur brushed her fingertips and then she grabbed hold of the dog by the scruff of the neck, hauling him out from under the bed. “Got you. Let’s get out of here.” She tucked the little Pomeranian dog under her arm and got to her feet.
But when she turned, flames licked up the doorway into the bedroom, the sound like that of a small truck approaching. For the first time that day, a trickle of fear ran up her spine. She took a step back. The heat was becoming unbearable.
There was another, louder crash, from the back of the cabin, and the space filled with more black smoke as a blast of hot air hit her. She gasped for breath. Oh shit, she might actually become trapped in here if she didn’t move quickly.
Suddenly, a dark shape loomed in the doorway and a male voice called out, “Hello? Is anyone in here?”
She tried to reply, but her voice came out as a husky gasp. She couldn’t breathe. She wet her lips and tried again. “I’m in here,” she croaked. Then louder, she said, “Here. I’m in here.”
A shadowy figure appeared, but as he stepped into the room, an almighty blast drove the stranger toward her as the corridor collapsed. He protected her from the scorching heat, using his body as a shield, as they landed on the bed. The dog struggled, whining in panic but she clung on tight. Lifting her head, she stared back at the doorway. Chunks of burning logs littered the floor, cutting off their only escape route.
They were trapped.
Chapter 2
LEVI
* * *
“Wrap this around your head and shoulders,” Levi demanded, shoving his coat into the woman’s hand and lifting himself off her. Why she’d come in here wearing no protective clothing was beyond him. Who in their right mind dashed into a burning building completely unprepared?
The woman did as he asked. At least the coat would stop her hair from catching on fire.
“The window is our only chance,” he yelled above the roar of the flames. There was no chance they’d make it out alive the way he’d come in. The corridor was a flaming pit of hell. He grabbed her by the arm and towed her toward the side of the bed. He needed something to smash the window. But with nothing in range, he pulled the sleeve of his shirt down over his hand and punched as hard as he could with his fist.
The sound of breaking glass could barely be heard over the jet-engine noise of the fire.
At least the window wasn’t guarded by security mesh, but now he’d made an escape route, and the smoke rushed past him on its way skyward.
“You go first,” he commanded. “Give me the dog.” He couldn’t see her face, hidden by the folds of the coat, but she seemed to hesitate for some reason. What was her problem? He noticed her clutching the whining mutt close to her chest. Was she honestly worried about the stupid dog, even now? “I promise to hand him to you as soon as you’re out.”
He stood waiting, hands outstretched. There was a flash of blue eyes beneath the folds of material as she weighed him up. Didn’t she believe him?
The gleam of blue was gone as suddenly as it appeared as she handed the fluff ball to him. Then she slung a long leg over the edge of the windowsill.
“Watch out for the jagged edges,” he warned. Hesitating for a second, she unwrapped the coat from her head and placed it over the broken glass, then levered herself quickly out of the window.
Not even waiting to see if she landed safely, he hoisted the little dog through the window and followed as quickly as he could, dragging his coat with him as he went.
The window wasn’t too high off the ground and he landed on his feet. Taking the rescued woman by the elbow—by some miracle she’d caught the dog and tucked it back under her arm—he led her to the edge of the clearing, away from the flames. They coughed and spluttered as she dragged a bandana away from her face. He did the same with the rag he’d tied around his nose and mouth before he’d dived into the burning building.
Levi collapsed onto his knees and then lay on the wonderful cool grass and sucked in large gulps of fresh air, thanking the gods he was alive. But it didn’t take long for his anger to rise. The woman stood a few feet away, trying to calm the nervous dog.
He sat up and stared at her. “What the fuck did you think you were doing running in there with no protection just to save a stupid dog?” Fists clenched at his side, he tried to control his seething anger.
“What did you say?” She stood taller, throwing her shoulders back in defiance. The bluest eyes he’d ever seen glared at him. They narrowed slightly as she continued to stare him down. “I was fine. I knew how to get out.” She had short, ultra-blonde hair, left a little longer at the front so it hung over her eyes. And even from this angle, he could see her slim hips and long legs, encased in a pair of worn blue jeans. There were tattoos running up both her bare arms which disappeared into the sleeves of her little white shirt. An eyebrow piercing and so many studs in her ears he couldn’t count them all reflected the light of the flames.
“You weren’t fine. You were about to be barbecued,” he said. But the heat was already gone from his words. He couldn’t seem to stay mad at her, standing there and glaring at him with such cool determination.
“I didn’t need you to come in and rescue me. I’m not some damsel in distress,” she said, arching an eyebrow in disdain. Underneath all the soot and ash smeared across her face, he could see high cheekbones and a dainty nose. The face of an angel. With the temper of a viper, it seemed.
Before he could answer, the older woman came around the side of the cottage, giving the burning building a wide berth. “Oh, Jasper. My Jasper.” She grabbed the dog from the blonde’s arms and began crooning to the mutt like he was a baby, sobbing into his fur.
Levi lay back down on the grass and stared up at the darkening sky. He’d never understand some people. The old woman was more worried about her dog than the two people who’d rushed in to rescue it. Blondie came and sat on the grass nearby, and they watched as the log cabin flamed higher, sparks rising above the treetops to mingle with the emerging stars in the sky.
Finally, he sat up and extended a hand. “Levi Wilson, at your service.”
He watched her take in his park-issue shirt with the ranger logo on the sleeve, and then her eyes slid up to study his face.
“I’m Cat. Cat Lawson. And I guess I should say…thank you.” She took hi
s hand, but he could feel the guarded way she gave her begrudging gratitude.
“No problems,” he replied. It wasn’t much of an apology, but he got the feeling Cat wasn’t going to give him anything more, so he’d accept it. For now.
“So, you’re the new ranger, then? I heard Mimsy was moving on.” Those blue eyes were fixed on him, staring so intently he felt something stir inside his chest. Almost as if she could see inside him. It made him nervous. And uncomfortable.
“Yes, I started last week.” Of course. Gossip spread like wildfire in small country towns. Painted Rock State Park wasn’t one of the big, glamorous parks, not like Glacier or Yellowstone National Parks. But it was a good start for his first posting.
“We all liked Mimsy. You’ve got some big shoes to fill.”
“Yeah, perhaps. One thing was for sure, I didn’t expect to be rescuing someone from a burning building in my first week on the job.”
“I didn’t nee—” The sound of wheels skidding on the gravel had them both turning their heads at the same time, and she never finished her denial. A big silver Ford pickup spewed dust and gravel in the air as it came to a stop. A man leaped out of the driver’s seat.
“Holy mother of…” The man stopped in his tracks and stared at the brightly burning cabin. The elderly man, who’d been comforting the woman with the dog—Levi presumed she was his wife—left her side and strode toward the newcomer.
“Dean, thank God you’re here.”
“Shit, Frank, are you okay? Is Pamela okay?”
“Yes, yes, we’re unharmed, no need to worry about us.”
The newcomer was the quintessential Montana cowboy, freshly pressed plaid shirt, blue jeans and worn cowboy boots. He also had an imposing presence, and Levi guessed he was the owner. Mimsy had filled him in on the billionaire who owned the luxury ranch. He and his wife built it from the ground up. And now it was one of the most sought-after boutique resorts in the whole of Montana. Perhaps even in the whole of the Northwest.