Charming Hannah

by Kristen Proby

  “Just pretty good?”

  “Okay,” I say with a smile. “It’s really good. I hope there will be enough for leftovers.”

  “I made a ton,” he says and dishes up his own plate.

  “I have a favor to ask.”

  “Anything.”

  “After dinner, do you mind taking me down to the lake? It’s a nice day and it’s not anywhere near dark yet.”

  “Of course.” He takes a bite of his own dinner. “We can go anywhere you like.”

  “Just the lake.”

  We’re both hungry, so dinner disappears quickly. We stack our dirty dishes in the sink for later and head out in his truck for the public access beach.

  “It’s so nice since most of the tourists have gone home,” I remark, enjoying the way the sunlight bounces off the water.

  “Even OPTS is over.”

  “OPTS?”

  “Old people tourist season. Haven’t you noticed that about the time that school starts and the families go home, that’s when the old people come in for the last half of September?”

  “No,” I reply with a giggle. “Is this really a thing?”

  “Hell yes, it’s a thing. I can’t even begin to tell you how many elderly people we pull over in the early fall. It’s ridiculous.”

  “I’ve never heard of such a thing,” I reply as he pulls to a stop by the boat launch dock at Whitetail Lake. “Let’s go sit on the dock.”

  He gives me a weird look, then says, “Okay.”

  He follows me down the long dock over the water to the very end. I sit down, careful to not put my feet near the water, and he joins me.

  “It’s a beautiful evening,” I say again, grappling for conversation.

  “Yes. Did you bring me here to break up with me?”

  My gaze whips up to his, but he’s smiling down at me.

  “No. Not even close.”

  “Good. What’s up, Hannah?”

  I swallow hard and look down at the water. “I think I need to put my feet in this water.”

  He’s quiet beside me for a moment, and then he reaches over and takes my hand in his, linking our fingers.

  “Why?” he asks softly.

  “Because I’m afraid of it, and I don’t need to be.” I lift my chin and look at him. “Because you’ve helped me conquer so many fears this year, and this is one that I need to be gone so I can enjoy our lake again. I want to be able to kayak and boat and swim in it next year with our friends without being afraid.

  “I’m so fucking tired of being afraid.”

  “Okay.” He nods and looks down at the water, then back at me. “How do you want to do this?”

  “I don’t have any idea.” I blow out a breath with a humorless laugh. “When I’m hiking in the woods, afraid that I’ll get attacked by a grizzly bear, I just march fast ahead, intent on getting through it alive.”

  “Well, you could just take the plunge, literally, and put your feet in there.”

  “I don’t think it’s that simple.” I chew my bottom lip for a moment, thinking it over. “Tell me again about how they decided that it’s safe.”

  “Well, first they turned off all of the power that runs under the lake, and then they used a grid to methodically comb the lake, diving down to see where the power lines were exposed.”

  “Why are there lines that run under the lake?”

  “Because there are homes all around the lake, but not necessarily roads that access it all. The city is currently working on approving a road that would completely circle the lake, but we don’t have that at this time. So, to make it more cost effective to feed power to all of the houses, they ran the lines through the lake, under the bottom of it where it’s the most shallow, at the most narrow points.”

  “I see.” I nod, looking out at the lake before us. The sun is just beginning to set, casting the mountains in pink. It’s breathtaking. “And you believe that it’s totally fixed, without any chance of it happening again?”

  “I do believe that,” he says, squeezing my hand. “Not only did they fix the problem, they spent weeks surveying every foot of the lines, making sure they’re secure and safe. Hannah, I wouldn’t let my townspeople near anything that could harm or kill them.”

  “I know that,” I reply. “Remember, this isn’t rational.”

  “It’s okay.” Most of the beach is deserted, except for a family walking their dog about two hundred yards away. The little girl has taken her shoes off and dips her feet in the water, giggling at how cold it is.

  “A toddler can do it,” I murmur and then look back out at the water again. “Will you put your feet in with me?”

  “So if we die, at least we die together?”

  “Not funny.” But then I laugh, unable to help myself. “Okay, it’s funny. Yes. If one of us dies, we both die.”

  “I can do that.” I slip out of my flip flops and he takes his shoes and socks off and looks at me. “Are you ready?”

  “Hell no.”

  “We don’t have to do this.”

  “Yes, we do.” I purse my lips and dip my big toe in, then pull back fast. “Not even a zap.”

  “All right, the whole foot now. Let’s do this.”

  I nod, and we both sink one foot into the water. It’s cold and feels good on my skin, between my toes.

  And I didn’t die.

  I sigh, feeling like a huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. I sink the other foot in with it and let them dangle, swishing around.

  “I’m still here.”

  “Thank goodness,” he says, still holding my hand. I don’t feel foolish, I feel powerful. “I’m so proud of you.”

  I look up to find his green eyes happy, full of pride, and sexy as hell, just as they always are.

  “You know what? Me too. Let’s go home.”

  About the Author

  New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Kristen Proby is the author of the popular With Me in Seattle series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong characters who love humor and have a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type?fiercely protective and a bit bossy?and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen spends her days with her muse in the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys coffee, chocolate, and sunshine. And naps. Visit her at KristenProby.com.

  Website

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  Goodreads

  Other Books by Kristen Proby

  The Big Sky Series

  Charming Hannah

  Kissing Jenna - Coming Soon

  Waiting for Willa - Coming Soon

  The Fusion Series

  Listen To Me

  Close To You

  Blush For Me

  The Beauty of Us

  Savor You - Coming Soon

  The Boudreaux Series

  Easy Love

  Easy Charm

  Easy Melody

  Easy Kisses

  Easy Magic

  Easy Fortune

  Easy Nights

  The With Me In Seattle Series

  Come Away With Me

  Under the Mistletoe With Me

  Fight With Me

  Play With Me

  Rock With Me

  Safe With Me

  Tied With Me

  Breathe With Me

  Forever With Me

  The Love Under the Big Sky Series

  Loving Cara

  Seducing Lauren

  Falling For Jillian

  Saving Grace

  From 1001 Dark Nights

  Easy With You

  Easy For Keeps

  No Reservations

  Tempting Brooke - Coming Soon

  The Romancing Manhattan Series

  All the Way - Coming Soon

  If you’re new to the Big Sky gang, here’s a look at the very beginning with Loving Cara!

  Prologue

  SPRING

  Josh

  THE CELL PHONE on my be
lt vibrates against my hip, and I pull it from its holster, register my dad’s name on the caller ID, and answer.

  “What’s up, Dad?”

  “Where are you, Josh?” His voice is hard but calm, and all the hairs on my body immediately stand on end.

  “I’m checking fence on the far-west pasture, about fifteen minutes from the house.”

  “We need you here, Son.”

  “Is Mom okay?” My voice is calm, and just as hard as Dad’s. We’re nothing if not calm in a crisis.

  “She’s fine, but we have a situation.”

  “I’m on my way.”

  Holstering the phone, I kick Magic gently and she immediately sets off in a gallop toward the house.

  What the fuck is going on?

  The last time Dad called with that tone in his voice, my brother, Zack, had been hurt in Afghanistan.

  He’s in Afghanistan now.

  Before long, the old, sprawling house comes into view. Although mostly retired, Mom and Dad still live in the big house, and I rebuilt one of the old farmhand houses on the opposite side of the property a few years ago. I’m in charge of the Lazy K Ranch now, and I love every minute of it.

  Mom and Dad step out onto the porch as I dismount, and suddenly I hear tires on the gravel driveway.

  “What’s going on?” I demand, scowling as I watch my dad’s eyes go hard. A blue rental pulls to a stop in front of us.

  “Kensie called,” he mutters.

  “How could she do this to him?” Mom whispers with tears in her eyes. “To both of them?”

  “Would someone like to tell me what in the hell is going on?”

  “Get out of the car, Seth.”

  I know that voice. Ice instantly runs through my veins as I turn to see Zack’s wife, Kensie, pull herself out of the passenger seat, open the back door, and pull my nephew, Seth, out of the car, along with a duffel bag, which she throws without care onto the dirt.

  “What’s this about?”

  “Seth’s your problem now,” she replies coldly.

  My eyes immediately fall on the boy, who’s looking down and drawing circles in the gravel with the toe of his worn shoe. His jeans are a size too small, the hem riding above his ankles, and his T-shirt is stained and dirty.

  “Seth isn’t a problem,” Mom replies, and flies down the stairs to pull Seth into her arms. He stiffens, but doesn’t pull away. He also doesn’t hug her back.

  Jesus, he was here two years ago, bright-eyed and interested in all of the ranch animals. Now his eyes are dull and tired.

  “He is for me,” Kensie replies with a shrug. Her clothes are impeccable, and I assume purposefully a size too small. Her hair and nails are polished and perfect. She winks over at me and my stomach rolls in revulsion. “How are you, handsome?”

  “What is this about?”

  “Zack made noise about wanting a divorce the last time he called from BFE, so I beat him to the punch. Cole”—she gestures toward the car and the man sitting impatiently inside—“doesn’t want a kid around, and frankly, I’m tired of being a full-time mom.”

  “You’re tired of being a full-time mom?” I yell. Dad shakes his head and my mom tries to pull Seth away and into the house, but Dad puts his hand on her shoulder, stopping her.

  Seth shouldn’t have to hear this bullshit.

  “Twelve years I have been alone with him,” she sneers, and points her finger at her son. “While Zack spent more time in a desert or in a plane with the army, leaving us in a different city every two years. I stayed because Zack’s paychecks were nice, and I didn’t have to work, but I’m done. I sold his car.” Dad gasps and I want to wrap my hands around her little neck and squeeze. Zack loves that damn car. “I gave the rest of his shit to charity and I’m giving you the kid. If Zack wants to traipse around the world every year and ignore his family, fine, but I’m done! I deserve more than this!”

  She’s screaming now, carrying on about what is owed to her, but I can’t take my eyes off Seth. His face hasn’t shown one bit of emotion. Most kids would be in tears, horrified by their mother’s behavior.

  How long has this been going on?

  “Seth is always welcome here,” I begin, and take a few steps toward Kensie, satisfied when she shuts her foul mouth and her eyes go round as I get closer.

  I’ve never enjoyed scaring women. It’s easy for me to do with my size and is something I’ve always been careful of.

  But I’m going to scare the shit out of her.

  “But you are not. Seth will stay with us until Zack is back in the States in a few months. You are never to come back here.” I step closer and loom over her. “If you ever show your face here again, I’ll have you arrested for trespassing and I will ruin your pathetic life.”

  Her eyes widen and her jaw drops in surprise as she takes half a step away from me, but she quickly pulls herself together and squares her shoulders, pulling her painted-on eyebrows into a scowl.

  “Why would I ever come back here? There’s nothing here I want.” She raises her chin defiantly and, without a look at Seth, climbs in the car, which peels out of the driveway.

  “Oh, honey,” Mom whispers, and kisses Seth’s hair. He shrugs and pulls away, grabs his bag, and looks up at me for the first time since they drove up.

  “Can I stay here, Uncle Josh?” His eyes flick over to Magic and back to me. He always loved the horses.

  “Of course, buddy, you always have a place here.”

  He nods soberly and looks back down at the ground, waiting to be told what to do. Mom is openly crying now, and Dad just shakes his head, wipes his hand down his face, and sighs. “Come on, Seth. Grandpa will show you to your room. You can have your dad’s old room.”

  “I don’t want anything of his,” Seth spits out, his hands in fists. “I’d rather sleep in the barn.”

  Dad blinks in surprise, glances to both Mom and me, then frowns. “Okay, the spare room it is then.”

  “Come on, honey, let’s get you settled and I’ll fix you some lunch.” Mom smiles at Seth through her tears and wraps an arm around his thin shoulders. “We’ve missed you so much. There are some fish out in the creek that need to be caught, you know….” Her voice fades away as the three of them walk into the house, and all I can do is stand here, my hands on my hips, and wonder what the fuck just happened, and what are we going to do with a twelve-year-old boy?

  Chapter One

  EARLY SUMMER

  Cara

  “CARA, DO YOU have a minute?” My boss, Kyle Reardon, pokes his head in my open classroom door and offers me a warm smile.

  “Sure, what’s up?”

  He saunters in and takes a long look around my empty classroom. The breeze from the open windows ruffles his hair, and he runs his hand through it as he leans against my desk. “Looks like you’re ready to get out of here for a few months.” He gazes down at me warmly. “Remember last week when you mentioned that you’d be up for a tutoring job this summer?” I roll back in my chair and look up at him. He’s handsome, with short copper hair and blue eyes, a nice build.

  He’s also married with four children.

  “I do,” I confirm.

  “Well, I have one for you.”

  “Who?”

  “You know the King family, right? They run that big ranch just outside of town.”

  “Of course, I grew up here, Kyle,” I reply dryly. In a town the size of Cunningham Falls, Montana, we pretty much all know each other, especially those of us who grew up here, just as our parents did, and their parents before them.

  “Zack’s boy, Seth, needs a tutor this summer.”

  “Zack’s back in town?” I ask, my eyebrows raised in surprise.

  “I don’t think so.” Kyle shakes his head and shrugs. “I can’t tell you their business, small town or not. Seth is staying with Jeff and Nancy, and Josh is helping too.”

  “Oh,” I mutter, surprised. “So for whom would I be working, exactly?”

  “So proper,” Kyle teases
me, and grins. “You’ll be working for Josh. You can go straight to his place on Monday morning. They’d like you to come Monday through Friday, about nine till noon.”

  “Geez, he must need a lot of tutoring.”

  The laughter leaves Kyle’s eyes and he sighs. “He’s a really smart kid, but he’s stubborn and has a bit of an attitude. I’m warning you, he’s not an easy kid to work with. He’s only been here for three months. He refuses to do the work or hand it in.”

  “Does he start trouble?” I steeple my fingers in front of me, thinking.

  “No, he just keeps to himself. Doesn’t say much to anyone.”

  I’ll have to work with Josh King, which won’t be difficult. He was always nice to me in high school, smiles at me in passing when I see him around town. He and his brother are nice guys.

  Rumor has it he’s a womanizer, but nice nonetheless.

  And I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t had a crush on him for as long as I can remember.

  But I can be professional and teach Josh’s nephew. I didn’t really want to paint my entire house this summer, anyway.

  “Okay, I’ll give it a go.”

  “Great, thanks, Cara.” Kyle stands and turns to leave my classroom. “Have a good summer!”

  “You too!” I call after him as he goes whistling down the dark, deserted hallway.

  Cool, I have a summer job.

  * * *

  I love my town. Like, wholeheartedly, never want to move away, love it. I don’t understand how Jillian, my best friend since kindergarten, can stand living so far away in California. Our town is small, only about six thousand full-time residents, but the population doubles in the peak of summer and the heart of winter with tourists here for skiing, hiking, swimming, and all the other fun outdoor activities that the brochures brag about.