One Way Home

by Jennifer Youngblood

  Amusement flitted over his features. “We’ll see,” he said with a cocky grin.

  “You certainly have a high opinion of yourself, Briggs McAllister.”

  “Nah, just a long memory,” he noted softly. For a split second, Briggs’ charming mask slipped, and she caught the longing in his beautiful eyes. It kindled something in her, something she’d tried to keep buried for such a long, long time. Briggs’ expression was both confusing and annoying. If he cared so much, then he wouldn’t have broken up with her. She could only imagine how horrid she looked right now without a stitch of makeup, hair all over the place and caked with mud. Bad enough to make even Medusa cringe. And yet, Briggs was looking at her like she was the greatest thing on the planet. It had been a long time since anyone had looked at Zoe that way. It did strange things to her insides.

  Time slowed, and she became aware of her own breathing, how her pulse was tapping a hard beat against her temples. She’d promised herself before coming home that she would remain aloof from Briggs. Now, here she was. The more things change, the more they stay the same … unfortunately! He was a hair’s breadth away. So close she could almost hear his breathing. Her hands itched to touch the skin on his chest, to feel his warmth. The air was charged with an electric energy that ricocheted and drew an imaginary circle around them that was getting smaller by the second. Panic fluttered in her stomach. She had to break this connection before she did something stupid like throw her arms around him and live out the dreams she’d been having of the two of them kissing long and hard, leaving nothing on the table. She blinked, ashamed of herself for allowing such a thought to enter her head. Her eyes broke rank and went to his flat abs. Her throat went drier than cotton as she swallowed. Couldn’t he put on a dang shirt?

  A hot embarrassment cloaked her. Crap! He’d caught her checking him out. Well, of course he did, you idiot, the voice in her head asserted. You were gawking at him like you’d just seen your first Camaro. She stepped back to put distance between them as she looked down at her feet, fighting to keep her voice light. “Well, I need to go and change, but I don’t wanna track all over the house.”

  He wiggled his eyebrows. “I could always carry you up to your room.”

  She jerked, realizing again that she was wearing nothing but a long T-shirt and underwear. She tightened her hold on the towel, wishing she could use it to cover herself up. This was terribly embarrassing, not how she’d imagined when she thought about how it would go when she first saw Briggs again. “Nope, not a good idea,” she sang. She tipped her head, an idea coming to her. “Do you know where Gina keeps the plastic bags? The recycled ones?”

  “I’m sure I could find them.”

  “Okay, grab me several of them and I’ll wrap them around my feet.” The mud was starting to dry, making her feel even more gross.

  “Then you’re coming back down pronto so I can remove that splinter.”

  “I’m a big girl, I think I can handle removing my own splinter, thank you very much.”

  “Come on,” he urged, “I’m a doctor.”

  “A vet,” she retorted. “You’re not used to working on people.”

  “Animals, people, is there really that much of a difference?”

  She scrunched her brows. “Is this some sort of philosophical question?”

  He grinned. “Maybe.”

  She lifted her chin. “I’ll remove the splinter myself.”

  Laughter swirled over his features as he looked her in the eye. “Do you know where Gina keeps the medicine kit?”

  “I’m sure I can find it.”

  He grinned. “I’ll bet you can’t. Plus, you’ll need a needle and tweezers.”

  She threw him a challenging look. “Are you telling me that Gina keeps both of those in the medicine kit?”

  “Nope, the needle’s in the sewing kit, and I know just where it is. What’s it gonna be, Z? Are you gonna let me help you?”

  Briggs was the only one who’d ever called her Z. She’d always liked it. Now? Well, now it pointed to some sort of intimacy between them. An intimacy that she’d been fighting against for far too many years to count. “Fine,” she sighed, “but I’m taking a shower first.”

  He didn’t skip a beat. “Good idea. You stink.”

  She guffawed before reaching out and giving him a playful shove on the chest. Probably not the best idea. His muscles were granite hard, shooting warmth into her skin.

  He gave her an appraising look. “I’ve missed you Z.”

  I’ve missed you too, her mind screamed, but thankfully, she had enough sense to think before blurting that out. “It’s good to be home,” she finally said. She thought she saw a flicker of disappointment cross his face but couldn’t be sure because he was too good at hiding his emotions. Briggs had always been good at holding his cards close.

  He winked. “Don’t go anywhere, I’ll be right back.”

  As she watched him go, a pang tugged at her stomach. Briggs had always been Zoe’s greatest weakness. When he broke up with her, it had shattered her world. Then, Carl came along and put the pieces back together. Now, Zoe’s world was shattered all over again, and in a strange turn of events, she was here again … with Briggs. How easy it would be to fall for him all over again.

  No, she couldn’t do that! She had to be strong. She had children to think of. She couldn’t trust her heart to the very man who’d broken it before. Carl’s betrayal, the divorce, it was all still so fresh. Zoe needed time … blessed time to sort things out in her mind. When and if she ever fell in love again, she was going to make sure it was with someone who would stand by her through thick and thin, someone who would love her for herself instead of trying to make her into a Stepford Wife. Maybe the man Zoe was looking for only existed in cheesy love stories. Zoe was batting a thousand here—having only loved and trusted two men, only to have those two men betray her. Also, Zoe’s daddy had betrayed her mama.

  Was love a futile fantasy? Maybe she was better off on her own. She could rebuild her life independently. She didn’t need a man. Now was the time for her to focus on herself and the kids, maybe even her sculpting. She could find fulfillment in other areas, outside of a romantic relationship.

  “Here you are,” Briggs chimed as he traipsed back in, holding up the bags. He smiled, shooting a ray of sunshine straight into the center of Zoe’s heart, and she found herself smiling back. Yep, she was a glutton for punishment, but it was only for today. She’d spend a few harmless hours with Briggs, for old time’s sake, and would then lock her heart and throw away the key.

  After all, what could be the harm in that?

  6

  “You clean up good,” Briggs said with a note of appreciation as Zoe stepped into the kitchen.

  Zoe smiled. “Thanks.” She was relieved that Briggs had put his shirt back on. Otherwise, the awkwardness of this situation would’ve been magnified tenfold. Zoe felt so much better after taking a shower and putting on clean clothes. She’d even taken the time to apply makeup and do a little something to her hair. Thankfully, as a mom with two kids on the go all the time, Zoe was used to getting ready quickly, so Briggs didn’t have to wait very long. She looked at the medical supplies spread across the kitchen table. She was glad Briggs had found everything. Her foot was really starting to hurt. She needed to get the splinter out before her foot got infected.

  Briggs’ eyes raked over her in a slow, leisurely way that rippled heat over her skin.

  “What?” she murmured, keenly aware that it was just the two of them.

  He flashed his trademark crooked grin. “Nothing.”

  “Oh, no. You’re not getting off the hook that easily. What is it?” she pressed.

  He motioned to a chair. “Sit down, and I’ll tell you.”

  “Okay, I’m sitting,” she said a minute later. “Spill it.”

  A wicked glint danced in his eyes. “If you must know, I was thinking about your legs.”

  Her eyes bulged as she fingered her neck. “Excus
e me?”

  He shrugged. “The T-shirt was a good look for you, showcasing those mile-long legs.”

  She jerked before going rigid. Her eyes narrowed as she met his gaze. “Are you seriously flirting with me right now?”

  He didn’t so much as blink. “I was just telling you my thoughts. You asked.”

  Laughter rose in her throat. “Yes, I guess I did. Stupid me.”

  “DDSS.”

  She blinked, surprised that he remembered that. It was something she’d picked up from Daddy, something she always said to her kids. Don’t do stupid stuff.

  “You know what happens when you do stupid stuff?” he continued.

  A begrudging smile tugged at her lips. “You pay the stupid tax.”

  “Yep.” A grin played on his lips. “You know I’ve always loved your legs. Amongst other things.”

  Her heart turned over in response. Good gravy, this was getting intense. She forced a light chuckle to diffuse the situation. “Briggs McAllister, you’re more of a silver-tongued devil than I remembered.”

  “And you’re even more beautiful than I remembered.”

  There was a wistful expression on his rugged features. It beckoned to Zoe, putting a chink in her defense. For an instant, the years peeled away and she was spellbound. Then, her good sense took over. “Your good ole’ boy charm won’t work on me,” she muttered. “So don’t go getting any ideas. I didn’t come home for this.”

  “Duly noted,” he said a faint light twinkling in the depths of his sapphire eyes.

  “I’m serious.” She didn’t like the idea of Briggs laughing at her. She leveled a glare at him.

  “Got it,” he said pleasantly as he knelt down beside her feet. Zoe’s breath skittered when Briggs took her foot in his hands.

  “Well,” he observed, “not quite as tough as the feet I’m used to working on, but pretty darn close.”

  Her jaw dropped, a streak of mortification running through her. “Are you comparing my foot to a horse hoof?” Her feet were a little tough and scaly on the bottom. She probably should spend more time taking care of them, maybe add getting a pedicure to her never ending list of things to do. The nerve of him!

  “Like I said. Not that tough but pretty darn close.”

  Zoe saw his expression and realized he was teasing. She rolled her eyes, settling down a bit.

  His touch was warm and light as his fingers moved over her skin. Her cells swirled madly, and she tried to control her pounding heart. This was absurd!

  Briggs gave her a concerned look. “You okay?”

  “I’m good.” She forced a smile.

  He inspected the injury. “It’s deep. I’ll have to use a needle to get it out.”

  She nodded as she grasped the arms of the chair and braced herself. He took the needle to her foot and began probing. Zoe about jumped out of her skin as darts of pain shot through her foot. “How could something so small hurt so much?” she asked through clenched teeth.

  Briggs winced. “Sorry.” A second later, he went back to work and Zoe could feel the splinter wiggling in her skin. It hurt like the dickens, but she didn’t want to come across as a baby, so she swallowed the pain under a stony layer of toughness.

  “Almost got it. Hold tight. Let me get the tweezers.”

  She gritted her teeth.

  Briggs pulled it out. “Got it,” he announced with a triumphant grin as he placed the splinter on a napkin and put down the tweezers.

  “Thank goodness,” she sighed in relief.

  He reached for her foot. “Let me check to make sure there’s nothing left.” His touch was strong, protective, electrifying! “Does this hurt?” he asked, putting slight pressure where the splinter had been.

  She swallowed, her voice coming out in a squeak. “Nope. I think you got it.” The pain of the splinter was forgotten. Now, it was only him and his featherlike touch that teased and tantalized.

  He dipped his head lower, causing a lock of rich honey-gold hair to fall over his eye. With his hair flopped over his face, he reminded her of the Briggs of her dreams. Zoe was grateful that Briggs had no idea what his close proximity and touch were doing to her.

  “Well, well, look what the cat dragged in,” a loud voice boomed.

  Zoe looked up, surprised, to see two of her brothers—Ramsey and Mason—come trotting in. Ramsey, twenty-eight, was a former Navy SEAL and now worked for a private security firm. Mason, twenty-two, was a student at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

  A large smile filled Zoe’s face. “Hey, what’re y’all doing here?” She had no idea they were coming home to the ranch this weekend. Ramsey’s assignments took him all over the world, and they were hush, hush so the family never knew where he’d be. Mason, on the other hand, came home more often since UTK was a little less than three hours away.

  Mason’s teal blue eyes lit with amusement as he motioned at Zoe’s foot. “The question is—what’re y’all doing?”

  Heat blasted Zoe’s cheeks as she looked down, remembering that Briggs was still holding her foot.

  “Zoe got a splinter in her foot,” Briggs answered, like it was no big deal.

  Ramsey grinned. “I see y’all aren’t wasting any time.” He flashed a large grin, revealing dimples. Had Zoe been an outside observer, she would’ve pegged Ramsey for more of the businessman type rather than a military guy. Known for being the sharp dresser in the family, Ramsey looked impeccable in chinos, a trendy button-down shirt, and stylish glasses. His mid-toned, nutmeg hair was wavy and longer on top, a similar style to Noah, the photographer in the family. The only thing that hinted at Ramsey’s profession was his superb physical condition.

  “Where are Daddy and the kids?” Ramsey asked.

  “They went to the boutique to see Mama and get ice cream,” Zoe supplied.

  Ramsey’s eyebrow lifted. “And you two stayed back? Interesting.”

  “It’s a long story,” Zoe inserted, heat crawling up her neck.

  “Well, at any rate, it looks like you’re in good hands, sis,” Mason piped in with a cheeky grin. The baby of the family, Mason was a heartthrob like Cash with his quick smile and teal blue eyes the same shade as Daddy’s. Mason liked stirring the pot and getting a rise out of his siblings. He particularly enjoyed needling Zoe, the only girl in the family.

  Zoe wanted to slug her brothers. She looked at Briggs, expecting him to be outraged by their innuendos, but Briggs only shook his head and laughed.

  “You can let go of my foot now,” Zoe said stiffly.

  He tightened his hold. “No can do. Not until I disinfect it. Mason, can you hand me the paper towels beside the sink?”

  “Sure thing.” He darted over and hurried back with them. “Here you go.”

  Briggs pulled several sheets from the roll and placed them on the floor. “This is gonna sting a little,” he warned as he reached for the bottle of peroxide and poured it over her foot.

  The liquid stung her foot as it bubbled. Zoe winced. “Just a little.”

  “Stop being a wuss,” Ramsey teased.

  Zoe stuck her tongue out at him. “I’m sure you jokers have better things to do than to stand here and watch this.”

  The brothers looked at one another in amusement before turning back to her. “Nope. Not really,” Ramsey said, his eyes raining laughter.

  “Watching you two together is pretty darn entertaining,” Mason hooted. He turned to Ramsey. “Here we were, worrying ourselves silly about our sis, and then we come in to find this going on.”

  Zoe just scowled. Her anger crawled to new heights when she saw Briggs’ expression and realized he was getting a kick out of her brothers’ comments. “Aren’t you gonna say something?”

  A grin ruffled Briggs’ lips. “You know they’re just picking at you.”

  “And, she rises so easily to the bait,” Ramsey added, casting Zoe a playful look tinged with affection.

  Zoe adopted an expression of annoyance, which pleased Ramsey immensely. The siblings ribbi
ng one another was the Romeo way. However, Zoe knew how much her brothers cared about her, and how worried they’d been about her divorce. When it first happened, Zoe had broken down on the phone with her daddy. Had he mentioned anything about it to her brothers? Probably. Daddy wasn’t the greatest at keeping things under wraps. Zoe appreciated Ramsey and Mason coming by to check on her. She knew it wasn’t easy for Ramsey to break away from his demanding job. He had a condo in Nashville but was gone on assignments more often than he was there.

  “Got anything to eat around here?” Mason asked. “I’m hungry.”

  Zoe’s stomach rumbled in response. She clutched it. “Oops,” she chuckled. She never had gotten around to breakfast.

  “Hey, sis,” Mason began with an outlandish smile, “did I tell you how beautiful you look today?”

  Her brows darted together. “Sorry, little bro. Your flattery is no good here.”

  He laughed. “Once Briggs is done, you should put your Betty Crocker skills to work and whip us up some breakfast.”

  Her eyebrow slid up. “How about I just whip you?”

  Ramsey and Briggs shared an amused look. “She may be a good cook now, but she’s still as mean and ornery as ever,” Ramsey teased.

  “I heard that,” Briggs agreed, a grin tugging at his lips.

  “Hey,” Zoe countered, her lower lip going out into a pout.

  Briggs squirted ointment onto his hand and began rubbing it on her foot. His finger slid over her skin like satin. Zoe made sure to keep her expression impassive, especially with her idiot brothers looking on. A second later, he patted her foot before squeezing her ankle. “All done.”

  “Thank you, Doctor McAllister,” she said in a sweet voice dripping with sarcasm.

  Twisting the cap on the peroxide, Briggs wadded up the paper towels and stood. “You bet,” he said straight-faced. “I’d do the same for any warm-blooded mammal, regardless of how rough the feet are.”