He shrugged. “It saved me from having to find a place to sleep tonight.”
“I’m sure you have friends who would have lent you their couch.”
He didn’t disagree, and continued to rinse the dishes.
Zoey came up beside him, a dishtowel in her hand. She pulled on his shoulder as she went up onto her tiptoes. He caught a whiff of fresh flowers and wondered if it was from her shampoo. Then she was brushing his cheek with her lips in a gesture that was both friendly and seductive.
“You’re looking out for me. It’s unnecessary, but thank you.”
He turned to face her, and the air between them heated. Gaze intent on hers, he took the towel and dried his hands, placing it on the counter before settling them on her hips. “Want to try that again?”
Her smile faded, eyes reflecting the same inner conflict he was experiencing: need, want, and a healthy dose of caution all bound together in a messy knot.
The heat between them flamed brighter, then she was fisting a hand in his shirt to pull him to her. The earlier jolt was nothing compared to the hot blast when her lips touched his. He pulled her closer until her curvy body fit snugly against his and he dove into the kiss.
Vague warning notes sounded in the back of his head, but he ignored them. He skimmed a hand under the loose cotton top she wore, stroking her from hip to back, his hunger stoked by the feel of warm, taut skin. Her mouth opened and her tongue slid against his while he traced his fingers up the indentation of her spine. It took all his willpower not to unhook the back strap of her bra and enjoy the results.
He wasn’t the only one digging it. Zoey released her hold on his shirt and slipped her hands under the fabric to rub over the muscles of his stomach, making what were most decidedly turned-on noises. Her fingers moved to his abs and the thought that she might reach lower had him harder than he had been and full-on ready. Then she hesitated, her hands going still, and he knew she’d heeded the warning signs.
She backed up a step, holding her hands up in front of her like he was a prowling bear ready to attack. He battled back the need until he had it strapped and under control. He could appreciate her wariness because he felt the same.
Breathing slowly and with deliberate care, he worked to steady the rhythm of his heart. He didn’t need complications in his life right now, and he had a feeling Zoey Hardesty represented one exceptionally big complication.
She licked her top lip and his heart rate kicked up again, and he backed up another step. “That was a mistake.”
Right. Maybe it was a mistake, but he wasn’t sure he liked her saying so. “I should go.”
“I think you should.”
She walked him out onto the porch where he retrieved his gear. He crossed to the steps, then stopped and turned around. She stood under the porch light, and he didn’t think any woman had ever stirred him as she did.
“It may have been a mistake, Zoey, but you can’t deny we both liked how it felt.”
Chapter Eight
Sunday afternoon, Zoey passed the driveway full of cars and looked for a place to park on the street. Gallagher events were sprawling affairs. Family members extended invitations to their friends and those friends sometimes passed on invitations to others, and pretty soon there were dozens of people showing up. She found a spot on the street, gauged it to be long enough, and squeezed her Prius in between two larger vehicles.
Hitching her hobo bag over her shoulder and with a large, flat container in her hands, she weaved her way through the cars on the long driveway and told herself she wasn’t looking for Levi’s motorcycle. He wouldn’t miss his mother’s barbecue, so she was sure to see him. But she wanted time to mentally prepare herself.
When she’d opened the door to his knock last evening, she’d had to force back the lick of lust at the image he’d presented. The helmet had left his dark hair sticking up at odd angles, and when matched with the shadow of beard along his jaw, he’d hit smokin’ hot. Then there was all that black leather and motorcycle gear he’d started pulling off. That would have gotten any woman hot and bothered.
Ending the evening with a kiss that had nearly blown the top off her head, and had left her feeling more than a little off balance. Since there were no motorcycles parked anywhere she could see, she figured she’d arrived ahead of Levi and breathed a sigh of relief at the reprieve.
The sounds of the gathering came from the back, so she let herself in through the side gate. When she reached the edge of the back deck, she stopped to survey the scene. A net had been rigged across a flat area of the sloping lawn, and several kids were playing volleyball. She recognized Cameron MacElvoy, longer and leaner than when she’d last seen him, with Christy and Robby Cutter from the Broken Arrow ranch. Jack Morgan’s stepson, Adrian, launched the ball high and wide to bounce on the deck between two large barbecues. The smell of grilling meat carried in the breeze. Brad Gallagher, a spatula in one hand, caught the ball in the other and winged it back. “Keep the ball off the deck,” he yelled.
“Zoey, look, I’m making a giant bubble.”
She turned her attention to where Levi and Brad’s sister Maddy stood in the center of what looked like half a dozen preschool kids with a wide tray set on a small table. A couple of the kids held plastic hoops, and Maddy’s daughter Keeley dipped hers into the tray, then ran with it across the grass, a giant, shimmering bubble billowing behind her.
“That’s a good one,” Zoey called. Keeley passed off her hoop to her twin, Mason, who dipped it in the soapy water and twirled in circles to make his bubbles. Zoey waved to Maddy and turned when she heard Eva’s voice.
“There you are.” Eva came down the steps from the deck with a clatter of footsteps. “What’d you bring?”
“Vegetarian kabobs for the grill.”
“Ooh, what’s on them?”
“Marinated mushrooms, onion, peppers, zucchini, some extra-firm tofu, and pineapple. We’ll see how they hold up on the grill. I made a pineapple teriyaki sauce to go with it.”
“That sounds yum. Aunt Trish has those basket things you can put them in to barbecue. They work pretty well with vegetables. Let’s get this inside.”
She followed her friend onto the deck, then nearly tripped when she recognized the couple sitting on a long bench. Meg and Declan Murphy sat with their little girl. She wore cute pink shorts and a t-shirt with a big rainbow-colored heart, and was taking tiny bites from a huge slice of watermelon her mother was holding for her.
Zoey liked to read, and she’d read Dex Michaels books even before knowing the author’s real name was Declan Murphy and that he was local. Then she learned Declan’s wife was Meghan Bennett, whose Darkening of Ardenstal fantasy world had grabbed Zoey and hadn’t let go until she’d read every book in the series, and she was feeling a little starstruck. Acknowledging Meghan’s wave with a little one of her own, Zoey weaved through chairs to the door.
Eva held open the screen door for Trish, who was carrying a platter of hamburger patties. She was dressed for summer with white shorts and a sleeveless denim shirt, her strappy silver sandals providing a nice contrast to the deep red toenail polish. When she grew up, Zoey wanted to be as well put together and poised as Trish Gallagher.
From Eva, Zoey had learned how Trish had taken over the family’s rental properties after her husband had died, invested wisely, and now not only supported herself, but had established a nonprofit to help single parents struggling to make ends meet. Beyond being a smart and successful businesswoman, she’d raised four amazing children who adored her.
Trish handed off the patties to Brad, then turned to greet her guest. “I’m so glad you came.” After a quick hug, she reached for the container Zoey carried. “What do we have here?”
“Vegetarian kabobs. Once Brad is done with the barbecue, I can grill them.”
Trish pried up a corner to peer inside the container. “Oh, this is perfect. Thank you. Current evidence aside,” she waved at the meat on the grill, “I’ve told Landon we’
re going to be cutting back on our meat consumption. It’s better for our health, and better for the planet. You’d have thought I’d suggested selling my house and moving to Bolivia.”
“What’s this about moving to Bolivia? I hear they raise a lot of beef in Bolivia.” Despite his generally serious expression, the spark in Landon Halloway’s eyes coupled with the hand at Trish’s waist when he peered over her shoulder made it clear she was the center of his world.
Trish kissed his cheek. “Enjoy your meat today, my love, because going forward, moderation will be the name of the game.” She turned to Zoey. “There are pitchers of water, lemonade, and iced tea, and we’re using glasses instead of plastic cups, which I hope I don’t regret. Help yourself, or head over to Jack who’s making margaritas as we speak. I’ll let you know when the grill is clear for you to put on your kabobs. It won’t be long, and then we’ll be ready to eat.
After grabbing a glass of lemonade, Zoey was standing at the barbecue with her kabobs in one of the basket things Eva had recommended when Levi came up the steps from the side gate. God, he was gorgeous, all tousled dark hair, bold blue eyes, and that lean, tough body.
His jeans were ripped at the knee and he wore a simple dark green t-shirt that hugged the muscles of his chest. Trish, stacking paper plates and napkins on the long table that would be used as a buffet, spied her youngest son and set everything down to walk into his open arms. Levi wrapped up his mother, rested his cheek on the top of her head, and closed his eyes. Zoey swallowed past a tightness in her throat.
Trish wiped her eyes when she pulled back. “I’m so damn glad you’re home, Levi James.”
“Me too, Mom.”
She scrutinized him with a look Zoey recognized. “You look better. Are you sleeping?”
“Yeah, Mom. I’m sleeping. I’m fine.”
Trish must have been satisfied, because she said, “Good,” and resumed setting up the buffet. Levi scanned the crowd until his gaze snapped on Zoey like a rare earth magnet. He took a step in her direction before being intercepted by a small whirlwind.
“Uncle Levi, Uncle Levi!” Keeley ran onto the deck, adorable in her yellow shorts overalls, and missing one sandal. Levi swung her up into his arms and had the little girl shrieking with laughter when he pretended to gobble her neck. “Save me, Daddy!”
Logan paused in his conversation with rancher Eli MacElvoy. He crossed the deck to pluck his daughter from Levi’s arms and she clambered up until she sat on her father’s shoulders.
“Uncle Levi can’t get me up here. My daddy will protect me.”
“Hey, I’m the favorite uncle. Why’s he need to protect you?”
Keeley wrapped her arms around Logan’s head. “My daddy is my favorite mister person.”
Logan’s smile was smug. “Hear that? I’m the favorite mister person. Get your own fan club.”
“Mister person? When did she learn to talk so much?”
“This kid was born talking. She’s almost four and asks me a thousand questions a day. She’s got a better vocabulary than I do.”
Keeley thumped her bare foot against her father’s chest. “I lost my sandal.”
Logan cocked his head to look up at her. “Where’d you lose it?”
“I don’t know. I think Mason stole it.”
“Right off your foot?”
“He’s sneaky.”
“That he is. Let’s go look for it.” Logan trotted off with Keeley bouncing on his shoulders.
Watching Levi’s interaction with his family reinforced Zoey’s understanding of the pull that had brought him back to Hangman’s Loss. She loved her mother and brother, but with only the three of them the family dynamics were different from what the extended Gallagher clan shared. She wasn’t envious, though maybe a little wistful.
She removed the grilling basket from the heat, opening it to place the veggie kabobs on a platter. The skin on her neck tingled and she knew Levi had come up behind her, which frustrated her. She couldn’t seem not to be aware of him.
He peered suspiciously at the kabobs. “Aren’t these missing something?”
“If you’re looking for hunks of meat, then yes, they are missing something.”
“I heard some people put those little canned sausages on a skewer and barbecue them. Bet those are tasty.”
“I’ll get right on that.” She turned off the gas to the barbecue and picked up the platter, and when she turned, nearly plowed the platter into Levi’s chest. He steadied her with his hands on her elbows.
“You look nice.”
She’d chosen a sleeveless white summer dress with tiny red flowers. She liked it because it showed off her toned arms stacked with her bracelets, and it was short enough to display some leg, but not so much that it didn’t cover the bruise on her thigh from the accident. The elbow bruise had faded enough not to feel vain about it.
“Thank you.” Why did it feel like little sparks snapped on her skin where he touched her?
“Where’s Lucy? You could have brought her.”
“Ah, no. She’d have spent the afternoon trying to herd small children. She’s fine in the cottage for a few hours.”
“Too bad, the kids would have loved her. Next time.” He looked down at the loaded platter. “You want me to take this somewhere?”
“I’ve got it. Would you mind bringing in the grilling basket?”
Levi followed her to the buffet table where she placed her kabobs amongst the bounty. There were burgers and hot dogs, plates with deviled eggs, bowls of potato salad, and enough sliced watermelon to feed a small army. She took the basket from him and went into the kitchen, retuning in seconds with a little bowl of dipping sauce that she set next to the kabobs.
Trish turned to address the crowd. “Grab a plate folks, and enjoy, then come back for seconds. I don’t want a bunch of leftovers.”
Since she was already there, Zoey took a paper plate and began loading it with a little bit of everything. Levi right behind her. “Oh look. Quinoa salad with cherry tomatoes.”
“I’ll take some of that.” He scooped some onto his plate, then laughed at her skeptical expression. “Just because I appreciate food of the processed variety doesn’t mean I don’t also eat healthy food. I try to balance it out.”
“I don’t think that’s what is meant by a balanced diet.”
“Sure it is. Slim Jims and an apple make for a balanced meal.”
She gave him a sideway glare. “There’s nothing I can say to that.”
Picnic tables had been set up under a grouping of aspens that blocked the late afternoon sun. With her plate full, she hesitated, not sure where to sit. Levi moved around her to set his overloaded plate on a table. He took hers and placed it next to his. “This good?” At her nod, he flashed his smile. “Be back in a sec.”
How, in the past week, had she spend more time socially with Levi Gallagher than anyone else? She’d wanted to get to know him, to move beyond her high school crush, but it wasn’t working. He gave that wicked smile and her heart tripped over in her chest. She didn’t like this feeling of being off balance whenever he was near.
True to his word, he returned in seconds with glass tumblers full to the brim with a frosty red slush. He held one out to her. “Jack’s strawberry margarita. You want?”
“Oh, that looks delicious. Thank you.”
“Hey, where’d you get that?” Diego set his plate down across from Zoey. He must’ve arrived straight from work, wearing the navy pants and trim shirt of the Hangman’s Loss Fire Department.
“Jack’s got the blender going in the kitchen.” Levi told him. “You better get yours because he said he wants food and is quitting soon.”
“Damn, I’ll have to pass.” He patted the firefighter’s badge on his chest. “Can’t drink while in uniform.”
Eva settled herself next to Diego. She speared a roasted zucchini from her plate and raised her gaze to Zoey. “Mm, the sauce for the grilled veggies is yummy.”
“Moving on to
the important stuff, what’s for dessert?” Levi asked his cousin.
“You just sat down to eat and you’re already thinking about dessert?”
“I need to know how much room to save.”
“You always have room in your stomach, but I’ll tell you anyway. Maddy was whipping up peach blueberry tarts at the café this morning, and Landon is making homemade ice cream to go with them.”
“Oh man, am I glad I’m home.”
Chapter Nine
Conversation and laughter drifted from the tables. Levi felt himself relax, some of the weight he’d carried back to Hangman’s Loss easing. He’d been honest with his mother that he was sleeping better, but better was a relative term. The nightmare about the shooting had woken him twice since his return home. Much better than the nightly occurrence it had been a month ago.
He glanced around. The people he cared about most in the world were here. And sitting next to Zoey suited him. He was tipping back his glass to get the last of the margarita when a flash of light from across the arroyo caught his attention. He stared at the spot it had come from. His mom’s house backed up to a deep gully filled with native brush that stretched about a third of a mile across. The far side was forest service land with pines growing up to the edge of the bluff. He narrowed his gaze, waiting to see if the flash repeated. It had looked like sunlight reflecting off glass or a mirror.
Keeping an eye out, he scooped up the last bite of quinoa salad from his plate. He’d put it on his plate to get a reaction from Zoey, then been surprised to find it wasn’t too bad. Trish rose to her feet, tapping the side of a glass with a spoon. Landon rose to stand beside her.
“Attention, everyone,” his mother called out.
Conversation eased off, even the little kids quieting.
Landon touched her arm, leaning down to say something in her ear. At her nod, Landon took her hand in his and interlaced their fingers. The stab of panic lasted only a split second. Levi tensed, then forced himself to let it go. Maddy had given him a heads-up so he wasn’t caught off guard.
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